Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-27
THE PLAYCOER'S
WEEKLY TALK
Dissertations on Plays and
Photoplays of Interest to
PhiLadeIphidns
% ENAMED the Philadelphia Thea-

y
~ tire, the playhouse at Seventeenth
and De Lancey strNets, which used to
be the Little Theatre, is about TO set
forth along lines different from those on
which it was conducted. and the change
IS of interest to the local public and to
The theatrical world generally. Walter
#. Wanger. nf New York, the producer
of John Ferguson" has acquired the
theatre and will make it a comedy
boEs-., playing high class attractions OF
q character suited to the policy to be
carried out there. He will book the
Klaw & Erlanger attractions, so that
the Philadelphia is really added to the
list of play houses Providing amusement
for local patrons of the theatre.
The Philadelohia, or the Little Thea
tire, as it was known, has been an IN
stitution in this city, and formerly oc-
cupied a unique place IN the local
amusement field. The house was built
by Bculah jay, whose purpose was to
have high class resident company pre-
sent well known plays '"""" ""' "''' 20
produce new ones. The theatre was
opened in March. 1913, the first play
being "The Adventures of Chlora." In
October, 1913. the second season opened
with a different company. The first
offerins was 1.-The Yellow jacket"
brought from New York with the entire
Original cast. That piece was followed
by Percy Mackaye's Tomorrow.
which was succeeded by Galsworthv's
s'Pigeon" and "His Majesty the Fool. y
Afterward came a series OF one act
plays. Annie Russell came to the thea
tire in the spring of 1914 and remained
nine weeks, appearing in old comedies.
For the season of 1014-10 an Engllsh
company was brought over. directed by
B. Iden Payne. This company appeared
in Shaw's Arms and the Man and
"Admirabe Bashville"; in lloughton
"Hindle Wakes" and u series of old
comedies. In 1915 Edith Wynne Mathl-
son was brought TO the theatre and ap-
peared in THE Piper and Inc
Servant in the House. and Kalph
Hertz played a special engagement IN
''Mons. Poiret y During the war pro
fessional activities stopped at this
theatre. and the house remained prac-
tically dark until last year, when Mar
garet Anglin played successful Gu
gagement for three weeks.
Walter +. Wanger, who now has the
theatre, is one of the younger men IN
the theatrical field, but ho has achieved
a great deal in the short time OF ms
activr >s. Start,2g his new policy OF
making thc Philadelphia a comedy
house. NJ. Wanger arranged for May
Ir>tI in "OA the Hiring Line as his
first Offering, Hereby setting the pace
for the merry career he hopes to con-
duct.
This will be the only theatrical nov
city for the coming weeS.
As the Little Theatre, the playhouse
had checkered career, principally on
account of lack of definite ana en-
sistent policy. 1t constantly sh!tted It's
program from an intriguing OF the, in
tellectuals" to bid for an exclusive
...society" clientele. With appeals to
blue stockings and silk stockings
eliminated and conscious and conscien-
tious. endeavor made to enlist the sup
port of Just the average playsoers, 1870
should be ii successful year for the
Philadelphia Theatre.