Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-15
BOTHSIDES
I.%Me
CURTAIN

| IN the Lyceum companys production OF
| The Amazons" and in the comparatively
recent Billie Burke revival of the same
pinero play. He has acted in the peculiar
| brand or drama evolved by George NJ.
Cohan and In the most frivolous Of Broad
way reviews. 1t is possible that only Henry
| H. Dixcy has q more varied record on the
| native stage The other players at the
| Broad fully execute Mr. Williams design
| OF fitness for their respective portraits.
| Views on the piece itself may differ
/ widely. There is plenty TO shock Mrs.
| Grundy In the frank lines and the ironical
| exhibition of the "nastiness" Of American
| social climbers abroad, Notwithstanding the
fact that the original punch" word of act
| three has been removed since the Man
| haitian premiere. Those who cannot ex-
| cuse Mr.. Maughams sordid social picture,
even though his essential sincerity of pur-
pose is continually apparent may perhaps
feel like indorsng the final curtain tag
| to the effect that such unpleasant people
| ARE not worth tcthering about" But to
| "Fannys First Play" whatever may be
| thought about the play. there can be no
dispute about the acting
MIR. WILLIAMS, moreover. aims to re-
AVl move differences of opinion regarding
histrlonism in some interesting productions
which he has listed for this season. He
came to town one day this week and In the
course of conversation with the writer en-
phasized his intention to concentrate on
good acting to the best of his ability. II
feel sure" he declared, that the public will
| be glad to revive its old interest In the art
of the Individual performer. l naturally
| admire the notable new developments In
lighting and staging revolution in the coun.
try But the scene setting EXPERTS need
no especial encouragement Just now.
Their work is recognized, admired and
fostered by both producers and public.
1t is my hope that acting will keep
pace with the movement In order.
therefore. TO do my best for histrionism
1 intend to keep down the number Of my
new productions, to select the casts with
great care and to offer only plays that
properly come under the heading of 1egit-
innate Ny plans this year include a re-
vival Of Pinero's technically brilliant and
deeply stirring play The Gay Lord Quex'
and to this piece l am now devoting most
of my time.
John Drew Is to do Quex, the wickedest
man in London who turns out to be
gentleman in the best sense of that word
in the tensest third.act climax Pinero ever
devised. Margaret Ellington will be Sophy.
the admirably drawn manicurist, and Ferdi.
nand Gottschak, Maude Milton and Louise
Drew will be auxiliary actors. The piece
which was first presented by John Hare and
Irene Eanbrugh, some eighteen years ago.
was, / think. trife ahead of its time. 1t
was highly praised when taken to America
but the popular success was hardly worthy
of the masterful art which Pnero be-
slowed on this comedy. / look for more
adequate appreciation today.
"In addition to Augustus Thomas's new
play, the Copperhead,' which Will voice
a pertinent message for the present war
a ti,,, 1itTI Wor
ton. besides a revival of Wilde's An
Ideal Husband and an English piece EN-
titled Fishbingle,' l am hoping to secure
the latest Barrie play This work contains
no role for Maude Adams. The em-
phasis is placed on the male character and
l am hoping that Mr.. Barrie will agree
with me in thinking Jack Barrymore suit
able selection for the part. Curiously
enough I have only vague idea OF what
the play is. On his visit to America since
the war; Mr.. Barrie told me OF fan
tastc work called The Second Chance, In
which the mans role would be dominating.
I am inclined to think that this is the
play which he now has ready.
Doubtless il seems odd to be so hazy
about so important matter, but James
NJ Barrie. himself, is unique among dram
atists. He can be as mysterious and al
ways as quaint as any author have ever
encountered particular ihs'ance VI il's
a few years ago when l called on him in
his smoky quarters, duly dedicated to Lady
Nicotine, in that charming old corner OF
London known as the Adelphi. / found
the creator of Peter Pan hard at work
frying to find appropriate names Tor some
of the feminine characters in his comedy.
The Legend of Leonora.' Nothing that
I suggested seemed to satisfy him. Finally
he picked UP a learned new work by Will
liam Archer, that was lying nearby on
table. The book was called 'Playmaking'
and the veteran critic made frequent use
of the technical term 'peripety,' denoting
a sudden change Of situation at crucial
moment in drama. The word caught his
owe and its h-soundingness appealed
to his sense of humor. I'm going to call