The Washington herald., 1920-04-06
MONDAY THEATER OPENINGS

Violet kembie Cooper were Well
cast and gave satisfying support.
Dear Brutus" Is not for those
who like frilis, furbelows and jazz.
but its unique and clever theme
points lesson that II skilifully
told with more thaA its share of
good clean laughs.
PoiPs - Sothern and Marlowe In
~The Tanning Of the shrew.s
The reception accorded Z. n.
sothern and Julia Marlowe In
Shakespeare's classic farce. "The
Tanning Of the shrew," at Polls
last evening could have been only
a qualification to all concerned. The
occasion was a pleasant one in
many ways. The audience was
large. the atmosphere cordial, and
the stars were welcomed with q
flattering warmth Of appreciation.
That this boisterous farce well
hts In with the prevailing spirit in
the theater was evident last night,
for the co-stars were most success
ful In the broader lines allotted the
characters of Katherine and Petru-
-
some question as to whether the
play is worth the attention of
Americas foremost Shakespearean
players or best suited to their
splendid abilities. At any rate, they
chose last evening to display once
more their talent for comedy, and
amusing they were in the best way
from beginning to end, for they
knew exactly what they were doing
and did 1t thoroughly.
Theatergoers are 50 familiar with
the incidents of "The Tanning of the
Shrew' that It would be an impert-
inence to repeat them, although the
version of this famous farce used
last night differs in some minor
respects from the versions long ia
miliar on the American stage. II
Shakespeare was written today he
would hardly label the play "The
Tanning of the Shrew," for Rather
Inc resembled very much many of
our sisters who have just received
Acknowledgement. Katherine was
rather an individulist. who forsook
the light from love Of a mere cave
man. and Ii was somewhat indelicate
of Shakespeare to call her a "shrew,"
but this was doubtless only another
misstatement about. poor, down
trodden woman.
Characterization of Baptista's
daughter last night a wealth of
grace and individuality, a ripened
experience and her wonderfully ex-
pressive voice. And she was never
lovelier. She was charmingly domi-
neering in the earlier scenes Of the
play, but more especially pleasing
in the later scenes, after Katherine
had come to love her lord and mas
ter.
Mr.. Sothern's Petruchio is a splen-
did bit OF comedy. In the supper
scene particularly he provoked YER
liable gales Of laughter and was
buoyant and interesting through
out Frederick Lewis made much of
the part of Lucentio. Rowland
Buckstone was most amusing as
Gremio. and Lenore Chippendale was
q capable Blanca v. l. Granville,
J. Sayre Crawley and Frank How
son deserve note for preserving, with
the entire cast. the atmosphere Of
high comedy created and maintained
by Miss Marlowe and Mr.. Sothern
throughout.
The staging of the four acts in
eight scenes was dignified and
worthy. The scene in Lucentio's
house was particularly good. The
co-stars will present Twelfth
Night" this evening.
keifh's-yaudeviII
Il do not come out tonight to en-
tertain you" says Lew Dockstader
at Keith's this week. "T wish to
speak OF a very serious matter"
II develops that Dockstader wishes
to discuss Presidential possibilities.
In fact, he has a candidate of his
own to present
This man has been before the
public for thirty-six years." says
Lew. during which time have
known and admired him. His name
is"
Lew Dockstader." pipes up Fred
dy Clark, saving Dockstader much
embarrassment.
But Lew is an unsportsmanIike
competitor. Instead of setting forth
his own platform, he proceeds to in
dulge in the political pastime of mud
singing. using his more prominent
opponents as targets.
Harry Fox has solved the chorus
girl problem, as he admits. There
Is not one of his five fascinating
bellies" that does not strike the eve
with terrible impact. He has two
fine new songs, one the "Profiteer-
ing Blues" and the other a kiss
punctuated ditty of old Stamboul
which he sings with Raatrioo rur+is