Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-05
THE PLAYC0ERS'
WEEKLY TALK

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gISHiS season In Philadelphia has been
y The most lucrative financially In the
nl9tory OF local theatricals. The attrac-
u2ps nave ranged through good bad
NJ indlnerent, overwhelmingly the
shows with a fair amount OF entertain
mcnt. but without any distinction OF
npp<al either. to the high emotions or
Nssm sna John 9f psy' we're RsaT n s5
Qf musical shows, Mary" The Night
Boat "Ang,l Face" and "Oui Madame
xues. the "Follies," AL Whites Scandals.
I'D Wynns Carnival" the Century
Midnight whirl' and Elsie Janiss over.
seas revue were bright OF tune, light of
toe and pictorially very lovely to see.
IN some the dancing element was pre-.
1onnant, IN others the jazz; In few OF
tnsT was the comedy more than pass
vas much higher than that of any other
form of entertainment.
A. for the seasonal fiivvers let them
repcss In that Oblivion which they are SO
newspaper fles to drag out torpotten
nernesf They were SO soon done for,
What were they begun for7
A s 'LIGHTNIN'," John Goldens play.
"A Featuring Frank Bacon. has played
two seasons, II appears by fair deduc-
+. tion that the greater portion OF the regu-
lar theatre-going population Of Manhat.
tsn has seen II and M that the perso3nnel ,,,3, Sd
made up largely of transient visitors
from Philadelphia, Boston and else
where. Thus local theatres will be de.
prived from participating in the run of
this interesting play, and persons who
cant run over" from Philadelphia to
New YORK will be deprived of the pleas
hardly fair to this community, which is
classed as third in theatrical Importance
In America, to be compelled to wait
three or four years to witness a play
interpreted bv the original cast or by
making a demand for an earlier presen-
tation have to be satisfied with the per-
formance of a number two company,
not. of course. casting any disparage.
other competent players who may be
intrusted with characters. .-.,,-,
Some subs" prove better than 'origi-
nal cast incumbents. In this very play
as the bibulous bill Jones" VIII Cres-
sey was sufficiently spirited to gratify
the big audiences which greeted his per-
bacon. the original, was on VACATION.
1t seems but logical to assume Light
min" is, to use footlight -vernacular an
actor-proof play In other words, tne
players, il chosen with discrimination
ana care, may give as consistent pres
entation as the original cast, but TINS
Phiiadeiphians are entitled to, see the
originals as soon as compatioIe VIII
existing contracts. Playgoers can rea>
sonably feel Frank 'acon and tne SriS,- @
ing with a rightful expectation from Mr.
Golden for the coming season
YryHE same line of reasoning applies
II with equal force to a number of the
other metropolitan successes Of the now
rapidly waning season. peelasseei @ ,cS, W'tu ~
repeating the success OF John Fergu-
SON." as presented by the same organi
ration; "Clarence. Booth TarkiHgtons
+ sinruished by the presence of a sense OF
craftsmanship denied to all other OF Mr,
Tnrkingtons plays, from the hrTt hls
hit THE Man From Home, 10 foiue'
KIM" revealed a short time ago 2t ne
Broad; abraham Lincoln" John Drink
!, waters really fine chronicle play OF the
] life of the greatest of Americans-those
are a few Of the outstanding mohuinen.s
of worthy drama of the past season
which have been running. as the sayins
. eoes among the press agents, sold
seasons in New York.
which help to keep the managers
fananced have due rights which pro
ducers are honestly obligated to honor
P.aygoers here put up their goot
tomary a few seasons ago-to see TN
plays as they come. wistfully. albei
family hopeful of something that will
be n 'knockout" Sometimes they ar'
better than bored, occasionally they ge
n play that touches or moves them, ol
has a bit of life to II, or that Is mildly
amusing. But the big moments tick IN
frequently on the local theatrical clock
II Is pretty near time for the managers
whose mediocre or commonplace ei
merely commercial shows-"made fol
laughing purposes only or however
else they are characterized-are paid fol
by the countrywide public, whose ex.
periments or gambles are liquidated by
the same good-natured commonalty
took little thought and revised theil
booking systems so that the notable
features of a season could be displayed
phia. Boston and Chicago, which lone
ago passed from the provincial status
Let an American season" not a met
ropolitan" season be a criterion and al
ideal
Doubtless some of the plays mentioned
I'm the foregoing will disband or tn,
casts be much jazzed before they reaci
this city, just as happened in the cas-
OF THE Jest" in which the Barrymor,
boys won great personal actini
triumph.
MARIE BRYAR, who is Cutie" Bird
AA one OF the care-free ladies of tn
ensemble--the one from Troy. to b
exact-with Grace George in '"Th
8AM CHI TpCDT AZ.