New-York tribune., 1920-10-03

w try gentleman sees it in the
~ thickening blankets of leaves
Va over the pathway from station
to home; the Broadway crowds find it's
evidence in the new lights blinking
over theater entrances. Thus, the
autumn holds at least one proof in
common to all. Six new productions
will be offered TO the public this week
And quantity is not the only feature,
If history and promise enter into the
matter. Quality also takes its place.
The world premiere of Mecca" the
F. Ray Comstock and Morris Gest ex-
travaganza, with scenery from the
furthest corners of the globe and art
lists whose homes are scattered
throughout the world, is to take place
tomorrow night at the Century
Theater. Perhaps the fact that Oscar
Asche, the author of "Chu Chin Chow"
wrote "Mecca," and Percy E. Fletcher,
of His Majesty's Theater, London, pre-
pared the music, is enough to recon-
mend mecca" to those who have seen
their work before.
But there is more to be considered.
1t required two years. so the fore
word goes, to prepare this spectacle
for presentation here. And when the
curtain rises at o'clock tomorrow
night Mr.. Gest announces that the
most eiaborately staged production
New York ever saw will be on it's way
This is a rare promise. But Mr.. Gest
has produced before.
'Mecca" is In fourteen scenes and
three acts. Throughout the summer
months, while crowds surged back and
forth before the old Manhattan Opera
House, the scenes and acts of this
giant production have been taking
form. Often q dozen different stages
in New York were used simultane eously
in its rehearsals.
There will be three other openings
tomorrow. At the Garrick Theater TO-
morrow night the Theater Guild will
present "The Treasure" by David Pin
ski, comedy in four acts. At the
Cort Theater "Jim Jam Jems," new
musical play under the direction Of
John Cort, will have its premiere to-
morrow night. In the afternoon at the
Little Theater Laurance Clarke will
present Nine. Borgny Hammer, Of the
National Thcater of Christiania, Nor
way, in an English production Of Ib-
sens "Hedda Gabler"
On Tuesday night Fred Stones new
Tip Top" a musical comedy produc-
tion written by Anne Caldwell and R.
Fl. Burnside, with music by Ivan
Caryll, will be seen at the Globe Thea
ter. At the Lyric Theater "Nssing
Time" musical comedy, with book
by George V. Hobart and music by
Ivan Caryll, will be shown later in
the week.
"The Treasure" marks the first pro-
fessional production by David Pinski
in New York. For eighteen years he
has been widely known as q writer of
plays, but never before has he been
successful in reaching Broadway. The
play to be presented by tho Theater
Guild is said to be the best of his ef-
forts. Owing to his wide acquaintance
in New York, where he has lived for
eighteen years, unusual interest will
attach to tho staging of his work.
"Jim Jam Jems" should be Of interest
to those who know their Broadway, be-
cause it is announced the action of the
piece takes place in q well known New
York meeting place where the smart
set" congregates for it's midnight
amusement.
This musical comedy production. with
music by James Henley. written by
Harry L. Cort and George e. Stoddard,
authors Of Listen Lester" has been in
rehearsal longer, perhaps, than any
musical place being shown on Broad