New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-02
Reicher Has Third
Part in a Season
Full of Short Runs

Several interesting points regardi,,
Frank Reicher and his connection with
the new Theater Guild production
From Morn to Midnight" are worth,
Of recording.
The season of 1922, as record,
show, has been a season in which :,
number Of players have appeared in
several different productions, this b..
ing due to the many short runs. And
with his appearance in the role Of the
half-mad embezzler in the translation
of the Georg Kaiser piece, Mr.. Psi.he,
has his third part OF the year. First
the New Jersey clerk in "Ambush,a
then Mancini in "He Who Get. Slapped
and now the absconding cashier WHO
starts upon tortuous pilgrimage thu.
leads to his death. A strenuous season
as seasons go.
1t was during the time Frank Reicher
was Naying in He" that the Guild
decided upon the production Of The
piece now current at the Frazee. NJ
Reicher heartily approved of the piece
knowing that at this time such PLAY
could be undertaken, but that the sam.
piece would have been an utter inpos
sibility on Broadway ten years ago
At any rate, From Morn 10 Midnight
was put into rehearsal and Mr. Reiche.
although unable to withdraw from Ii
cast of He" took the part he is no7
playing, IS we'll as assuming the dutia
Of stage director. Il was not until the
new play was actually staged that he
was able to retire from the cast OF the
production at the Garrick.
During rehearsals of From Morn %
Midnight" he spent much Of the
time directing from the orchestra
with the stage manager or some
one reading the lines OF the bank
cashier. This role in actual sides Is
not the longest the actor has played,
but it is certainly one OF the most sx
acting, and one that comes as near ez
hausting the player as any part that
could be written. 1t gives the actor
no let-up until the final scene, and IN
one or two scenes the piece virtual!
resolves itself into q Reicher mono
logue And it is no secret that 70
actor is about "all in" al the concir'
sion Of each performance. The pscu'
liar driving quality OF the part Is
enough in itself to cause exhausn0n'
but it is said that the effects Of sn
evenings performance would not tens
on Mr.. Reicher had ne experienced .
less strenuous theatrical year.
The scenic designs used in tn"
From Morn 10 Midnight" suggestive
scenery" is the proper designation f''
it-are bound to increase in popularity
in the opinion of Frank Reicher. Ias
rear wall OF a room, a door, window
platform-such touches that definite
Is establish atmosphere, are ensugn'
he believes. These touches must, now
ever, be adequately given, and WEN
this is done the audience. providing tN
play before them is sufficiently inter
esting, can forget that there is no ce's
| ing to the room, and that black cur
tans hang where the walls ought
oe. This suggestive scenery can ~
used, however, in only certain typs
If theatrical ware. 1t wouldn't be luA
the thing for "Six-Cylinder Love 81
The Return of Peter Grimm
"You must have drama said ~
Reicher. therefore, anything tna'
takes away from drama, that causes
the audience to interest themselves .
some massive setting or elaoo''"
scenic design, is harmful to the pf0S
ress of the play itself"
The scene in the Salvation Aln
| Hail that brings FROM Morn "
night" to a close--considered, peFhsP'
the most effective in the piece-fas''.
it possible to use the services o.
number OF young people who hs'
Registered with the Guild, and VINO h''
high theatrical ambitions. These ~.
sons appear as ''the crowd seatea !.
the rough wooden benches in the W.
and spacious hall. The ieers ana y
risive cries that come from this ct0''
make it seem q purely American ~
but in discussing this point Mr.. he's,'.
said that q crowds crowd, anu
German crowd could behave eSactiy .
this one does under similar con0'a a.;a.
| AS for Mr.. Reicher personally ss
from his connection with the Gah' y
any other theatrical organization.
can here be said that he has -
completed his twenty-third yeal
theatrical activity in this country