The Washington herald., 1921-06-17

SAYS THEATER PUBLiC
NOW DEMANDS COMEDY.
Haste thee. nymph. and bring with
thee
Jest and youthful joliity."
1t appears that the above couplet
addressed to the muse Of comedy
expresses the desire of the public
regarding the kind Of theatrical en-
tertainment enjoyed. according to
Sam Forrest. who Is here direct
ing the play at the National in
which Mary Ryan is starring.
Comedy Is certainly having its
inning" said Mr.. Forrest at the
Willard. People want to laugh
and make merry: life has been so
serious for the last few years that
this reaction is really the natural.
normal ONE
SEES DEARTH OF
HIsTRIoNIC ABILITY.
do you think that there is q
present dearth OF real histrionic
ability and of good plays which
has been asserted by some critics?''
Mr.. Forrest was asked.
"Oh. yes, these critics have rea-
son for their assertions" replied
Forrest. "just as the critics of other
ages have had reasons for similar
assertions. for few periods have
been characterized by remarkably
superior actors and playwrights.
still, while the present-dsy stage 10
rather mediocre, in harmony with
the current expression Of most
phases OF life. il has not mediocrity
spelled with a capital NJ. 1t IL Diff
hcult to find new play that has
exceptional merit, and il is equally
difficult to cast this play when
found. / don't say that this IL i'm
possible, but I do admit that II Is
dificult."
FINDS THEATRICAL
TASTE IMPROVING.
Mr.. Forrest believes that the
little theater movement Is doing
much good in improving the gem
eral theatrical taste and in Great
ing. as result, a larger demand
for plays that have something more
than a noisy pep and punch"
The little theater movement is a
valuable educator" declared For
rest. land is rendering a rear COM
munity service. Wherever II exists
there one will find. according to the
strength os the local movement, q
corresponding discrimination among
the theater- going public-slight In
some localities. but unmistakable.
THUMBS DOWN ON
oNE-AcT PLAYS.
81 do not believe the one-act
plays" continued this experienced
manager. will ever meet with wide
popular approval. know the ar
gument often given in their favor
namely, the popularity of the
vaudeville. but ] don't think this
argument will hold good. When
one goes to vaudeville. one does SO
in a certain frame of mind-he is
in the mood for that kind Of en-,
tertainment: when he goes to the
theater he Is in a quite different
mental state. such a one. In fact.
that the vaudeville would not
please or satisfy-he wants then a
good three-act play that will in
terest him throughout the evening
he doesn't want to be switched
every half-hour to an entirely new
set OF characters. This disturbs
the mental balance he had already
prepared for himself. unconsciously
perhaps, before he went to the the
ater.'
Perhaps a state OF mind recep-
tive to an, evening OF one-act plays
could be developed, thus creating a
demand, for Them" was hazarded.
Possibly" smilingly acquiesced
Forrest
When questioned concerning the
effect of the movies on the stage
Forrest replied:
AN important result of the
popularity of the movie has been
a tremendous increase of unem-
ployed thespians. The one-night
engagements are almost unknown
now; therefore the large number
that used to form the companies
playing in the small towns have
had to look elsewhere for employ
ment. The movie palace that is
found in almost every town and at
the crossroads is responsible for
this condition"