The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-20

It Is interesting to note how London and New York vary in their apprecia- tion and appraisal of play.
 Maeterlncks The Betrothal,' which failed to attract much praise or pat ronage when produced in New York several years ago, has been revived. and is now playing In London to ca- pacity business
 This noted play. which Is a sequel to "The Bluebird." Birmingham people will recall, was beautifully read here by Mrs. Leonard Beecher several sea- sons agoJ The London critics accord this play its music, the scenic beauty of production and excellence of cast, which is headed by Gladys Cooper, the foremost place in recent theatrical his- tory.
 This play, which is gwen a sump- tuous production, is staged under the direction of Granville Barker. It Is said to be drawing handsome patron age, but it's managers affirm Twill not make money on account of heavy ex pense and big salaries paid the cast" Miss Cooper is getting the largest sal ary ever paid British actress. ln- teresting to note Mrs. Maude, the wife of the well known actor, Cyril Maude, is member of the cast. She retired 8 y suaded to return for a part in the Mae- terlinck play. Nf
 The announcement that Laurette Taylor is to act the Jewish mother, Mrs. Kantor in Fannie Hursts "Hu- rnoresque" next season is exceedingly interesting news, for Miss Taylor has acted the plays of her husband, J. Hartley Manners, for decade. She is reputed to have remarkable Jewish accent, which fits her for the part in the play. You, no doubt, saw it as picturization. A very good one, it was, too. with Vera Gordon featured as Mrs Kantor.
 Laurette Taylor is at present playing in New York, in a revival of her fa- nous success, Ped O My Heart"
 Judge, of late issue, suggests:
 "Mr. Ponce De Leon should get hold of ouija board and consult Laurette Taylor on the subject of perpetual youth. She evidently knows where the fountain is located, Judging by her con- tinuous girlish charm in the revival of Peg O My Heart Mir. Hartley Man ners' play also insists on staying young in spite of it's long international ca reer. As for the dog Michael, who is reputed to be grandmother, you might as we'll try to subdue the CO., quettishness of sub of '21 as that of Michael The triple combination has stood up well under it's long career of replied, Don't yer know nuttin'
 The mention made week before last of Mary Roberts Rinehart's plays seems to have struck some sort of vein of in terest. I judge this by the remarks and comments made to me by friends One kindly disposed and Interested reader sent marked copy of a paper with sta tstical information to this effect. In New York, Mrs Rinehart's play, "TAe Bat is now in the thirtieth week of it's run, with gross winnings to date of over s50o,000 The Chicago Bat company which opened there in December, has been seen by 10000 playgoers who have paid s250.00o for the privilege. The two | Eat companies, you see by these figures, have collected so far something Ike s750000 for Mrs. Rinehart and her collaborator Avery Hopwood. This, re. member is from one play! There arc three running successfully.
 It is pleasant to realize this southern woman has driven the wolf so many hundreds of thousands of miles from her door!
 This story is told concerning Robert E. Mantell, Shakespearean actor, when he was under William A. Brady's man. coached for their first production of tiently with them until late in the after script in hand and insisted Mantell gc to the hotel and rest.
 A stage hand who did not at first no- t:cc the change, called out in a whisper to another, Hey, Kid. who is the guy