Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-28
THE PLAYCOER'S
WEEKLY TALK
Dissertations on Plays and
PhotopLoys of Interest to
Philadeipi,idnS

| t'""'' p'''"tS
rTNHE ancient aud absurd saying that
4 Shakespeare spells ruin is again rc-
ceiving emphatic disproof Shakespeare
adequately put on and Competcntly
acted is a drawing card. Mr.. MantclIs
engagement, ending tonight, has crowded
the Broad at many performances and
left very few vacant seats at the re
mainder. Sothern and Marlowc, who
are working through the Middle West
toward their Philadelphia engagement.
have had remarkable suc"css.
Actors have spelled ruin Tor Shake.
speare, but never has he been so iucon
siderate 10 thcm---if they were worth
while. Even in these days of large re
ceipts. the Sothcrn and Marlowe box
Office records are noteworthy. During
four weeks in New York city these stars
played to gross of nearly 100000.
In Boston in two weeks they reached a
gross of over S45.OOO: in Providence,
$17.170. aud in Toronto, S20.A02. In
each case this was for seven perform
ances u week only. excepting an extra
matinee in Boston. In the latter city
they established record for Shake
spcarc by reaching $i3lO and S44O3 at
two Saturday matinCPs. Probably the
next largest "hOusc' on record was
Forbes RohcrtSon'S farewell at Drury
Lane, in London. when at 50 Il seat he
played TO little over $1,000.
On his southern trip. completed just
before his local appearance. Mr.. Man
tell broke. in both New Orleans and
atlanta. all records for Il classic ira
gedian south of the Mason and Dixon
line. from the days Of .Iunius Brutus
Booth. father of Edwin Booth, down to
the present time. At one matinee in
New Orleans more people were turned
away from the big Tulane Theatre,
where he was playing. than were able
TO find seats in the house.
nN MONDAY night at the Broad
" Philadelphians will not only have
an opportunity to witness play writ
ten by two local citizens. but also OBJ
serve the premiere of young actor in
stardom.
1.-The Irresistible Genius" will be the
title of the comedy, which holds surplus
interest. in addition to tho debut of the
newly made star. because of the fact
it was written by two Philadclphiaus-
John T. Mcintyre and Francis Hill.
Georges Rcnavpnt gifted young
French actor. is the lucky person that
George NJ. Cohan has picked out this
''over night. and in typical Cohun
way the recipient will not he aware of
the honor until he reads today's news
papers. Mr.. Cohau witnessed the pre-
miere of "Tho Irresistible Genius" in
Baltimore last Monday night. and after
amsiugly--und kCpnly-acting as dra
matte critic for newspaper there tin
a review that dPCiSiyCy criticized the
play in the spots which did not gee with
the theatrical knowledge of Mr.. COhan)
the author producer and many other
titles tore off his coat and set about
whipping the piece into shape. Phila
delphia will get the first view of the
result.
DLAIING in stock. of course. is
l. great aid in mastering the art of
stage technique. There is something
beneficial. as any actor can tell you. in
playing the suave "vill yum one week
aud switching the following week to the
noble minded youth who always sSavPs
the family farm in time for suburban
theatregOers to catch the II 20 electric
car. by playing everything that has
been known to man or beast. one ac-
quireS confidence in every role. Which
is the reason. perhaps Robert Woolsey
makes such -OOd Angus in "Dere
Mable' at the Garrick.
All the readers of tho "DprC MabIr''
books will remember Angus; he was
tapd isl the buddy of the famous Bill
After n dozen candidates had been tried
out WoolsNy was named for the part.
And the curious part about it all is that
II is the first time he over portrayed a
ScOtChmau ON the stage. although he
has appeared in 2OO different parts.
This may seem like Il large number,