The New York herald., 1921-01-23

Russian Isba evokeS phantaSma-
goria of strange peoples, quaint Gus
toms and mysterious rites, and such is
the entertainment in the Lexington
Theatre for the Commonwealth Cen
tire during the week Of January 81 to
be- The project. i'm the promotion OF
which the professional stage has joined
society, is to be for the purposes of
establishing in New York nation
alization centre of arts and for the
Russian refugees, who are in a dire
plight. In aiding the Russian refugees
the Commonwealth Centre, of which
Miss Virginia Potter is the chairman
will work in cooperation with the
American Red Cross and the Russian
American Relief Association.
First of n series of Benefits.
In outlining the ideas back of the week
of nightly spectacles in tho Lexington
Theatre Miss Potter said yesterday:
The Russian Isba' is the first of a
series Of national benefit performances
in which the old peoples who have come
across the sea to make this country their
home can show what they bring TO
American life. Too much has been said
about Americanisation in the narrow
StllSt Oh ulSNdihihb NhN V'N
customs like an old coat and taking on
the new I'm a superficial way Too little
attention Is paid to the heritage OF ira
dition and art which the different racial
groups bring to us. The best OF TINS arr
would be priceless contribution 10
American life, and our appreciation OF
il would form a real bond between 'hese
groups and American citizens.
"It is our hope to present series on
those national demonstrations which VIII
awaken the American public to a real
appreciation of the Importance OF TINS
contribution to its artistic life. and out
OF it will grow a permanent nationaliza-
tion centre with regular programme
A most enthusiastic response to the plan
has come from the different national
groups"
Each performance Is TO consist OF n
series of living pictures, taken from q
Russian village fete. under the direction
of Serge Borowsky. who for some time
was connected with the Moscow Opera
House. In this way the music. life and
dress of the Russian peasant--a closed
book TO many persons In America-wii
be revealed with startling fidelity by ma
tives of Russia. The singers and the
musicians will be Russian. the perform
ance is 10 be given in three acts, forming
whole evenings programme with
ballet taking up most of the last act.
Associated with Miss Potter In the
Commonwealth Centre are Mrs Adrian
Ise!in. Mrs. Walter Scott Roberts. Mrs
McAIlister Smith and Mrs. Henry
Ollesheimer, who have engaged boxes
for the opening performance Mines
Henry Ives Cobb. II. Morgan Grinnell
William Church Osborn, John ). hiker
Samuel Sloan, George w. vanderbilt
Willard Straight, Charles 5. Tiffany
stokes Tfaikett. Charles Taylor and
Donn Rarber and NIessrs. Walter Jen-
nings, Charles Birmingham, VINO
treasurer of the project; Frank Lyon
Polk. George Arliss Charles sumner
Ward and Richard Welllng and MISS
Edith Wynne Mathison.
The purposes OF the Commonwealth
centre in addition to establishing .
naturalization centre Of arts, where
foreign groups in this city may find
expression IN their Old World art. are
to give opportunities to student singers
10 obtain recognition in opera and tc