The Washington times., 1922-05-07
Charming Actress
To Appear Here
lin Barrie Play
Marks Appearance of
Robert w. Bell as
Producer.

IN bringing Ellen van Volksn-
burg to washinsten in Barrie's
ever delightful Alice Sit by the
Fire" Robert w. Bell Ia promising
a genuine treat TO lovers Of what
is best in the theatsr. The wife Of
Maurice Brown. who may we'll be
called the father Of the Little Thea.
ter movement In America, she Ia
an actress and producer whose
work is marked by intelligence and
sincerity. Moreover. In the field
Of interpretive readins-and It is
as . reader that she 10 to appear
at the Playhouse on Tuesday eve
nins-she stands almost alsne.
She has the rare ability to rscreate
on a readers platform 4 play just
as II vas originally acted without
even 4 glance at the script-and
IL 10 said that Alice Sit BY the
Fire" 10 the best thing she does.
Moreover. Mr.. Bell who 10 max.
ing his initial appea rance as q pro.
fessional producer in his home
town"--slthoush he has put en-
some amateur things in distinctly
professional style-has Arranged to
present Michio Itow. the great
japanese dancer. on the same
program. He needs no introiuc-
tion to WashinGtsn. having ap-
peared before . number Of rsprs-
sentative audiences during the Las,
winter. and this will probably be
his last performa nee here this SEA-
son. He will present q Group of
characteristic dances Of japan.
assisted by that charming young
dancer. Miss Anita Enters. The
performance 10 10 be given on Tues
day evening at s:%s o'clock.
MR. BELL, who has taken
AVA up play writing and play act.
ing a. q profession. vas associated
with Mr.. ana Mrs. Maurice IN
the repsrtory theatsr which they
had out In Seattle last summer.
He was also With thsm for q time
in New York. where they now
have the Greenwich Village Thea-
ter. but severed his connection
with the orgsnisatiea to devote
more time to the play he 10 writ
ing. ss
You have probably read about
some Of the brilliant things which
Mr.. and Mrs. Brown did at the
Little Theatsr in Chicago. which
they founded and which vas pev.
hAps the first Of the little theatsrs
which have 90 profoundly influ-
enced our stage. And apparent.
ly they are TO duplicate their ar
tistic successes in New York. Peo-
pie keep writing me about the
brilliant things the Browns are
doing. their CANDIDA" "Cvsdi-
tors" by strindberg. Arthur David
son Fick's Mr.. Faust" and ever
50 many other vorthI~hils
things.
During her stay in washing.
ton. Mrs. Brown. or Miss van
VolksnbUrg. 70 use the name un-
der which she 10 playing hsve,
will stay with Mr.. Bells parents,
Mr.. and Mrs Charles J. Bell out
At Twin Oaks. and Mrs. Bell 10
giving a tea for her there ON
Tuesday afternoon. She 10 arriv.
ing from New York today.
Bobby" Bell, by the way, 10
to do q regular transforming tour
this summer. He has signed UP
with q company which In to play
Turn to the Right" on one Of the
Chautauqua circuits, teurii.g the
Eastern coast, playing one night
stands and sleeping In tents when
the necessity arisss. The mem.
bars OF the company are all friends
and they are looking forward to
the experience With considerable
enthusiasm. Rehsaysals Are to be
held in Philadelphia. beginning
shortly. and meanwhile Mr.. Bell
is putting in most Of his time on
. play he 10 doing and some othsr
writing. Another play. . drama
with Jeanne dare A. the central
figure, 10 ncv In the hands Of .
talented and lovely young aetrSss
who 10 reading II With . view 10
production.