The sun., 1916-12-17

.
more interest than any two school
children. But no critic could ever
deny that the characters were opposed
to each other In the most skilful man
ner. and that the intrigue was quite
perfect in its way as drama.
Could there be anything more ap-
palling than the so-callcd one act play
which pads out the usual programme
in a variety theatre? Sometimes they
are maudlin and at others shocking.
Under all circumstances they are al
ways bad. The formula for these
dramas seems To be an Increase to the
nth power OF every banality and stu
pidity that the managers consider in
dispensabke to the success Of an Or
dinary play. Whatever the nature OF
these pieces may he they are as n
sandy hill to the feet of the aged to
he unfortunate spectators who wan
der into the music halls IN search Of
diversion and suddenly find them
elves confronted with II one act do
nes,ic drama.
1t would OF course Ice out " the
question to find any such number on a
Continental or English music hall pro-
gramme. There the object Of the en-
tcrtainment is To amuse sophisticated
audiences who gather to witness what
Is really variety. But the directors Of
! the theatres In this country must he
sadly put to II 10 make ont "A pro-
Grammc " merely vaudeville numbers
with such IA constant drain on their
talent from the theatres. Tie Winter
Garden shows are planned in accord
ance with the numbers taken from the
appeal to the public. and the Century
Theatres present production Is made
up entirely of vaudeville acts. In
deed. one OF the most applauded
numbers OF "Thc Century Girl
! Is vaudeville team which was
formerly unknown to the musical
stage of any other kind. Anna Held
has made liberal draughts on the va
riety stage for her present entertain
men. and not a musical show has been
seen here in recent years that has not
taken its most conspicuous and often
I a., A IN
so-calleL 1.-TWO a day" So the supply
must be great - respond 20 the de-
mand.
The one act play has had its effect
In driving tho New York playsoer to
tho musical plays. where there 10 GER
tain to be diversion adapted to the
mood Of tho spectator who Is not to
be entertained by half an hour Of do
nestle humor or crook terror acted by
an actor who never had any standing
on the stage or has lost II long before,
So the playlet must be Judged. whether
It be comic or otherwise. the prevailing
nuisance OF refined voordevil. At the
Century Theatre or the Winter Garden
or In the various musical comedies
one is at least safe from the one act
play. 1t can generally do more to dis
turb tho gayety OF vaudeville pro-
gramme than two bad acts in success
sion.
What explains the absence OF wha
the music publishers call song hits
during the present season? orchestras
In theatres and dance halls are stil
playing "Very Good Eddie" Nothing
better has been found, nor for tha
matter will 1t be found for a long tim'
to come. But there ought by this time
to be something In the way OF sue
cessor to this melodious score. Bu
nothing has 80 far appeared to brighter
the theatre season. There was even
Pretty Baby" last summer to enliver
the visits of the strangers within oul
gates.
Perhaps jerome Kearns. who can b'
relied ON usually to supply the bes
that Z musical season brings forth. hai
something up his rhythmical sleev'
that will ultimately be shaken out Il
a. dsligAt ee ~ nationA Just nov
thsss y iask q novelty - insS1rs ~