The New York herald., 1922-08-06
odd Vic" Theater
of London Saved
by George Dance
Famous House Will Be Opened
IN September by Lillian
Bayliss.

Special Cable to THE New York HmALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London. Aug. 8.
With the saving or the 'Old vic" as
sured through the gift of f2o.000-ths
long time anonymous donor to the cause
is now revealed as the we'll known the
atrical promoter George Dance-plans
for the fall dramatic season in London
are well under way. The "Old Vic" It
self opens September 16. when Lillian
Bayiiss. who Is carrying on her mothers
tradition OF producing Shakespeare and
opera ut popular prices at tina playhouse
over the water" in the unfashionable
south side OF the Thames. VIII find the
plant thoroughly adapted to her needs.
a new stage. with an Elfzabethan
apron. new wings and new dressing
rooms VIII make things eaeier for tho
gallant band OF actors who keep the
classic torch ablaz2 and furnish more
than one bright star In the West End
armament.
On the other end OF the scale the sea-
son promises much that Is gay All
London Is wondering whether Charles
Cochrane can make anything present.
able out of "Phi-Phi," the light opera
which ran for three years at the Bouffs
Parisiennes apd about which almost any
American soldier who got Paris leave
can tell yarns.
Likewise. Jose Levy is producing 10
zo'' at the Little Theater. and Arthur
Whimperis is putting on "Bluebeard's
Eighth Wife, at the Queens Theater.
Shuttle Along" will soon be due, Lon
don's second experience with a negro
play and cast, the first having been I'm
Dahomey,' with Williams and Walker.
America is pretty familiar with many
OF the other things that are keeping the
London stage going. such as "Chuckles
the Columbia burlesque. which has been
rocking New Oxford for months. bat is
closing. because the principal comedians
have 70 return to keep New York con-
tracts.
sybil Thorndlke has made an excellent
start as an actress-manager with Jane
Clegg" and the London version OF Cap
tain Applejack" as Ambrose Apple
Johns Adventure" continues to flll the
Criterion.
Only now are they beginning to talk
about successor for Sally" One OF
the big things OF the season which New
York has not yet seen is the remarkable
double bill at st. Martins, where Gals
Wortny's 'Loyalttes and Barrie'S shall
We Join the Ladies2" remains the per-
feet delight It was on the first night.
many months ago.
Though the season" is officially over
with the departure OF society for Cowes
whence II will fit for Scotland and then
stay shooting and hunting in the coun-
try through the winter. London has ac-
quired an important new theatergoing
public. Just now It is the American
tourists who through August and Sep
tember will I'LL the stalls. London's
own people and the visiting provincials
keep the theaters full through the fall
and winter, which period has become
the time for new productions. In the
social season-May. June and July
managers complain that every one stays
late on. the tennis courts and at the
outdoor dinner table and does not think
OF theaters when the light continues
until 1890 daylight saving time.
The end OF the social season IL ap-
parent throughout the fashionable resi-
Dental districts and clubland where
scores OF mansions and clubs are
boarded UP and decorators and cleaners
are busy within. One large West End
decorator declares that only classic In
teriors are being ordered. society being
tired of the bizarre Jazz effects and the
weird combination OF color stuffs IN
. -.