The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-24
'RoLlO'S Wild Oat'
Has Suggestions
of Amateur Play
Miss Runners Production at
Punch and Judy Is Lack
ing in Plot.

"Rolo's Wild Oat," Clare RUNNERS
latest toying with social gatherings,
was suggestive In more ways than one
last night OF entertaining amateur the
atricals, interspersed with smart COM
ments by the brightest unlocking debr-
tante. In the first place, It was pre-
scented in the Punch and Judy Theatre,
and the audience could settle down in
this intimate playhouse with a comfort
able sense that group of ITALICIZED
young players were bringing art TO their
very midst-right on the mat
Then the comedy wound its serpentine
way through the ambitions of a wealthy
young man. who insisted upon fulfilling
his lifelong ambition to play and pro-
duce Hamlet" even though this threat
ened to make his grandfather i'll, not to
mention his audience. But when it de-
veloned that the dramatic crisis of Miss
Runners latest piece lay in the de-
clsion whether RoIlo Webster should heed
the summons of his supposedly dying
grandfather on his opening night and
leave his production fiat, such an I'M
exciting turn left the interest quite fiat
Enjoyment was stimulated from time
TO time by flashes OF that whimsical wit
which have come to be recognized as
Miss Runners chief stock IN trade, but
1t seemed too often like an artificial
pulmotoring process. Extremely bright
flashes they were, and the spectators
frequently laughed and gasped over
them as though the pulmotor was actu-
ally putting the breath into their outlaws.
But while lines can moor ship TO
dock, they do not appear able to tie
play fast to New York.
Vivacity of situation and character is
required, and "Rollo's Wild Dat" seemed
d bit too offhand to be classed even as
theatrical dissipation. Moreover the
characters duplicated one another. just
as Rollo termed the men in his own fam
y as virtual repeaters. Roland Young
perhaps he was featured in the cast
because his first name was so in keep
ng-gave a generally agreeable version
ot Roland Young in minor key. though
toward the end he appeared to be doing
ut verbal quips with the unfeeling regu-
iarity of charity
The incompetent players assembled at
his Central Park studio, for the play
within a play amused, with an inept re-
hearsal scene. anG later al the perform
ance at the Oddly Theatre. where Rollo
ran out on the show and his valet. an
ex-tragedian Of Shakespearlan expert
ence. amusngly done by Ivan Simpson,
stepped into the breach when the OBJ
tusely commercial manager inquired,
lis there q Hamlet In the house?' 1t
was a struggling young actreSs in this
company with whom Rolio fell in love,
thereby providing the title. but not much
impetus for the play.
Miss Lotus Robb played this part in
an unaffected. winsome manner, though
she might just as we'll have passed for
any pretty girl indulging In drawing
room chat She sang charmingly song
provided by Miss Hummer. who also
drew from herself the incidental music.
Miss Marjorie Hummer, the authoress'
daughter, did agreeably in her stage
debut. but j. NJ. Kerrigan was miscast
as the crotchety grandfather. and
seemed to be suffering more from
swollen brogue than a equity foot