Evening star., 1918-08-11


overcoming literary affec-
tation and "a past" seems
to be finding in the world war.
theme for it's rehabilitation emitting
it to rank with the elite classifca-
tions of the theater. No longer is it
dismissed with quips of humor. or ex-
pressions of contempt as a pariah of
dramatic development, but, on the
contrary. the big producers of film
and spoken play are madly vying
each with the other to put over the
profoundest expression of humanity
in melodramatic form. with the world
conflict as the theme. Even the cul-
.tured reviewer of today. passing over
other products of dramatic art, is
giving leading prominence in self
signed screeds seriously to discuss
what but few short months ago
would have been curtly dismissed to
the demnition bow-wows as blood
and thunder"
1t is one of the wonderful and yet
Inevitable effects of the greatest nat
ural melodrama ever staged, beside
which the Greek tragedy and the
genius of Shakespeare sink into
insignificance. 1t is the triumph of
virtue over vice and the villain. in
which the civilized world is furnish
ling the dramatis personae. Democ-
racy is the heroine. the Hun the VII
lain and the gallant marshal OF
France the hero. Small wonder that
the playmaker and the amusement
purveyor should recognize the psy-
Geological fitness of the moment for
trying to reap a portion of the bene-
fit, even though to do so both have
to elevate to pedestal of supreme
dignity an outcast of the world
theatrical.
Four burlesque theaters in wash
fngton, which heretofore has been
quite content with one. is another
record along the line of theatric
achievement, and there are those who
say that this also is one of the re-
suits of the war. If such startling
things can come in the amusement
world. what may not the people look
forward to in the wider world of Sc
rious thought and endeavor. That the
war will change the worlds map has
never been doubted, but who shall
say what other changes may come
when peace again unfolds her wings
and mankind looks out upon newer
opportunity?
Triple Honors-If Martin Brown
never travels the road to dramaturgi-
cal fame any farther, he will. at least,
have known the bliss of one brief mo-
ment of triumph, for he has already
had three plays accepted by as many
managers before. any previous work
from his pen has reached the stage.
OF course. many plays are called and
comparatively few are chosen. but in
the case of Mr.. Brown all three are to
have immediate presentation. The
Man." in which he was assisted by
Robert Housum. Harrison Grey Fiske
has acquired the rights to the sec
ond. called Penny" in which he in
the season. and Charles Hopkins
who runs the Punch and Judy play
house-has accepted the third. COM
edy. THE Prodigious Son." and is ar
ranging for its production early in
the season.
How 1t Came About-Larry Evans,
writer Of popular short stories,
wrote a short magazine story en-
titled, The Dancer Plays Part" 1t
attracted the attention of George C.
Tyler, the producer. and he suggested
that it be made the basis of a play.
Mr. Evans. who was without ex-
perience in theatrical writing. called
to his assistance Walter C. Psrcival.
author of a number of vaudeville
playlets, and between them they
evolved Among Those Present"
George S. Kaufman's function was
general revision when the others had
finished. He is the dramatic editor of
the New York Times and is credited
with the knack of writing caustic
witticiSmS many of which are said
to have found their way into the dia-
1oelle of the play