The New York herald., 1921-05-29
News and Gossip
of the Theatres
PLAYS and the News of the STAGE ~
Negroes as PurveyOrs Of The
atrical Entertainment
Cohan as Vagab0nd.

Plays with. by or of negroes seem
to be coming to the fore of late. MOI
only was "The Emperor Jones' with ths
negro star, Charles Gilpin, one of the
events OF the season. but the past week
an organization of duslty folk took Up
the exposition OF musical comedy ~
"Shuffle Along" Likewise, but much
more inconspicuously, Goat Alley AM
other dark hued theatrical production.
was put on last week at the Republic
Theatre.
Considerable quiet was maintained
about this presentation, SO that scarcely
anyone In or out of the theatrical pro-
fesslon, knew OF 1t. While number Of
managers were present tho audience Mt
the special matinee as whole had
been carefully selected from among Law
men and was considered very select l.
was put on virtually as a private enter
prise by the author. Ebert Culbertson,
who felt that it was worthy of hearing
before the inner circles of the city. He
is not unknown as a playwright. having
written "Radium" and other dramatic
works.
Through his theatrical representative.
Miss Mary Forrest, the aid of A. H.
Woods was enlisted, and this manager
donated the theatre. Woods, who pre-
sented last season "Come Seven," by
Octavus Roy Cohen, which dealt farci-
cally with colored characters and had
white performers, was not interested In
this production outside of allowing the
use of the playhouse.
The play In this instance was acted
by negro actors, mostly from the La
fayette Theatre. In Harlem. 1t was
e,.l.& "A -
certain phases of negro life in Wash
ington. and was looked upon as rather
a morbid effort.
It is a likelihood that Grant Mitchell.
closing his run in "The Champion" at
the Longacre Theatre this week, will try
out a dramatized version Of Henry S.
Harrison's novel. "Queed," when he
takes his present vehicle TO Chicago this
summer. This best seller of q decade
ago has had rather a curious history in
it's journey toward the footlights.
1t has been prepared for theatrical
production by no fewer than four adapt
ers. Each was at first very hopeful OF
putting 1t on. and each in turn lost his
zeal over the project In 1911. soon
after its appearance on the book stalls
Winchell Smith obtained the dramatic
IlSHIS 70 SIueeu, DeCdIle very tnIlN-
siastic over it, prepared dramatization
of 1T and presently dropped the piece.
Then the firm Of Cohan & Harris got
hold of the dramatic rights and George
NJ. Cohan whipped it into histrion
shape. After a time he and his partnel
let 1t pass out of their hands. Next
Brandon lyman dramatzed 1T antl
turned 1t adrift. Then Emery Poti3
short story writer, actor and playwright
entered the scene.
He is close friend of Grant MitchcI
and the latter has been pinins for st
eral years to do "Queed." Pot lie made
drama matization OF 1t, and when Sam d.
Harris heard last winter that anothe
manager was considering having fiing
at the Harrison opus, he renewed his
option on the dramatic rights takir
the Pottle version. Now 1t looks
though the book might get n hearing be-
fore an audience, just when most OF the
younger generation have forgotten there
ever was such a novel
Lowell Sherman. until recently plo'
ing the lead In The Chicago company
The Tavern" is the latest to SEE
from the Actors Fidelity League
go back to the Actors Equity Assoc
ton. 1t was learned. lie was one
the board of governors of the Eide
and by leaving he follows in the foe
steps of Miss Nora Bayes.
Speaking of THE Chorus Lady" 1t .
velops that Miss Fanny Brice's vehiCi
In which Charles Dillingham; is prepa
ing to present her next season. will b.
something along that line. Aaron Hoff-
man will write 1t and has already
started It under way. The play Will have
emotional moments. but will not be
tAnIl 4z1 To. 1rs1 f~-
| ing could keep Miss Brice's sensc q
humor under.
1t Is primarily difficulty with labcg
which has caused David Belasco TO react
the decision that he will not send "Dc.
burau" on the road this season. The de-
mands of the stage help and OF tn
musicians have loomed UP as such heay
burdens on tour that the manager has
been led to forego sending his COMPANY
away.
This Is the first time in his experienco
as a manager that he has not routed one
OF his productions all over the countiy
and is matter that is reported 10 b.
felt keenly by him. So heavy was thu
initial expenditure for this production
and so large is the salary list that even
with years ruin in this city, playing ~
II Is now to capacity business at 81
toP price, IL ~ said Dy tnoSe IN the knt
that MIR. Belasco will not break even &
nancially on the production. II Is anothf
OF those things which he has done +
love OF the theatre
Mr. Belasco is not the only mana
who has been experiencing labor trout
of late. One production which has b,
regular feature of the theatrical So
son may be delayed next fall because cf
such embarrassments. IT was at bot
tom difficulty over labor which forced
/ the sudden closing OF "The Three
Musketeers" at the Manhattan Opera
House during the past week
One of TIE remarkable developments
" the current season is the appearance
of George NJ. Cohan In the role Of tha
FdQubond IN the rejuvenated production
OF The Tavern" at the Hudson Theatre.
No greater tribute or evidence OF loyalty
on the part OF a personal followlns
could be found anywhere for theatre
goers have fiocked to the houses since
\ he came to 1t. IL was to be expected
| that the critical would come In order
to compare his performance with that
which had gone before. But N was
something exceptional to find the ordi-
/ nary thca.rogoer. who attends plays
primarily for the sake of enjoying them,
crowding into the house and following
the acting Of the star with keen APP
probation.
This Is ali the more unusual In Wow
cf the fact that a revival Of play. even