The Washington times., 1921-01-02

PEGGY Featuring Miss
Virginia O'Brien, on Way
to Belasco, With Rock
Revue Booked for
Poli's"-The Storm"
a Drama, Will Be
= Attraction at
National.
By LOUIS ASHLEY.


has undertaken two most ambitious
programs. 1t hopes to bring about a
decided lowering in the present rail-
road rates charged theatrical COM
panies and also to succeed in reduc-
ing appreciably some income taxes
Victory for the Equity, needless to
say, will be pleasing TO most Of US.
The Likelihood of victory, however,
is something else again.
In its attempt to obtaining meas
ures remedial of the existing excess
sive railroad rates" the Equity Is
seeking the cooperation OF the
Travelling Mems Association. the va
rious theatrical managers associa-
lions. 1t says that, though ii has al
ready made an attempt. tangible re-
suits have never developed" and so
it hopes that by uniting all those az
fected, something may come in time
to save the theatrical business.
II goes without saying that not IN
many seasons have so many theatri-
cal companies gone to the wall. New
York city Is fairly crowded with &C
tors and actresses out OF work. Com
panies are being swamped by the
charges Of railroads and hotels, 1t Is
claimed, and so the Actors Equity
Association has stepped to the front
WOULD LOWER TAXES.
The Equity would bring about n
reduction in the income taxes of au-
thors, artists. playwrights, composers
and the like. 1t wants meeting or
the Authors League. the Dramatists
Guild and others. according to Secre-
tary Frank Gilmore.
This situation" says Mr.. Gilmore.
sis q serious one. An actor or a play
wright who mas struggled for years
suddenly achieves success. and his
income is instantly taxed to the limit.
No account is taken Of the lean years
preceding. where nothing came in and
debts accumulated, or of the expenses
attending his previous work and
study The actor, artist, author or
composer face a similar situation.
1.-The gross income for three years
should be taken and an average
struck. Such a plan, I understand,
L. in effect in England.
"Washington admits. unofficially,
the pressing need Of such adjustment
and we have every reason to believe
the joint effort of those affected will
prInS ABOUT an cQultdDle, long -Heeueu
in their income tax"
SOME MUSIC NEXT WEEK.
Washington will have some music
next week, even as it does this week.
william Rocks Revue, a musical
melange, will be the attraction at
Polls, and Peggy" a brand new
musical play, will get its start at the
Shubert- BelasCo. The National. with
nrnyida rapular
drama.
Prominent in the Poll attraction
will be William Rock himself, Billy
b. Van and James J. Corbett. and
the gentlemanly advance man prom
ises "a laugh a minute" which is
fair enough. In addition to the cast
of twenty principals, Rock brings
the Rolls Royce chorus of thirty
summers. Inasmuch as there are
twenty-one scenes, one should find
at least two or three to please him.
Miss Virginia O'Brien, the bewitch-
Ing little prima donna of 'Buddies,"
is leading in Peggy" She made
many friends here in the war play
and they should be there to greet
her next week.
Peggy" is the work of Lou Dy-
nond. who wrote the music: Fred
Caryll, who is guilty Of the book
and lyrics. and Allan X. Foster, who
has put on the dances. Neil Twomey
has staged it for Mack Hilliard for
the Selwyns. Hilliard is a new
conner in the producing field, though
hs has a lengthy stage experience.
.THE STORM, AT NATIONAL.
~The Storm" n regular drama. will
be the attraction at the National. This
play ran a whole year at the Forty
eighth Street Theater, New York: had
three engagements in Brooklyn for
period of three months, and then ran
nve weeks at the Manhattan Opera
House. 1t has just now completed
eighteen weeks in Chicago. All Of
which would indicate some enjoyment
when it comes here.
Raymond Hitchcock, who drew
large crowds all last week, is linger-
Ing in Washington for anotheri week
with his satirical "Hitchy-Koo, 1920"
There is much mirth and melody IL
this show. Julia Sanderson and G.. p.
Huntley are co-stars with Hitchy, and
the trio are strongly supported ty
DOYLE and Dixon and the Mosconis.
The latter trio of whirlwind dancers
run away with the show, once
they get warmed Mp.
The Shubert-GarriCk has turned TO
motion pictures, at least for one week,
THE Last of the Mohicans" being the
attraction there beginning with to-
afternoon. This famous old
story of early American history Is
said to be thrilling when placed on
the screen.
LOVE BIRDS- AT POLLS.
Love Birds a new musical play.
makes it's debut at Polls tonight. Pat
Rooney and Marion Bent, long vaude-
vile favorites, are also making their
debut in il, a belated debut in musical
comedy. In the company are Eva
Davenport. who is returning to must
cal comedy after lapse of eight
years: James T.. sullivan, Tom Dingle
and Harry Mayo.
Eva Davenport starred in PA
tiepce," "The. Yankee Consul" The
Spring Maid" and The Kiss Waltz"
enjoying a great vogue at the Casino
Theater, New York. Sullivan was the
original "polite lunatic" in the origin
al The Belle of New York" Tom
Dinglc and Harry Mayo have long
been prominent comedians.
The famous Irish Coincidence. Eliza
beth Murray Is perhaps the foremost
" the supporting cast. Among her
past successes have been Nine.