The New York herald., 1922-12-24

! cloiStered. there. AS matter or fact
1t was at first planned to crash through
with the play on the evening of the
| very day that the deal was closed, but
1t was finally decided that not enough
critics could be rounded up and
brought to bay on such short notice.
Rehearsals for Peer Gynt," the
next Theater Guild production, begin
tomorrow. which may be taken as an
indication that the Guild expects to
rush the Ibsen drama into the citadel
very soon, while THE Tidings Brought
to Mary" one might say, is still warm.
Aside from the glittering and gorgeous
fact that Joseph Schildkraut will for
sake his ways in "Liliom" in order to
play the title role, there Is also the
glittering and gorgeous fact that the
part of Anttrd will be portrayed by
none other than Ibsen's granddaugh-
ter. which ought to insure authen-
ticity up to the hilt.
The role of Ase will be played by
Louise Closer Hale, with the very
Yankee twang of Hospitality" still
ringing in her ears. Helen Westley
was considered the logical selection
for Ase, but unfortunately It was
found that due to Miss westley's per-
sonal longitude it would be impossible
for Peer to place her on the roof of
any house on the stage from which
she could not step off with the ease of
Poodles Hanaford stepping off horse.
II. III. Frazee has another play, in
addition to Mrs. Fiske's vehicle, for
which he is arranging booking, since
the comparative calm that reigns IN
baseball allows Mr.. Frazee to lend a
helping hand to the drama during the
winter. Mrs. Fiske's play was called
THE Last Card" according to the
latest returns, but this may have
to be revised in the light of further
knowledge, as Mr.. Frazee is said to
have another card-that is, another
name-up his sleeve.
Maclyn Arbuckle is out of "Old Bill,
NJ. p" the comedy In which Bruce
Bairnsfather brought Old Bll down to
date, and has gone to be welcomed
by Frazee in the latters new comedy.
Instead. George Bancroft. 1t is said.
will now see how long he can last in
the title role in which Percival knight
first started rotating his crops OF
players for Sam II. Harris.
At this writing It was undecided
whether the play would open shortly
in the land of the free and the home
OF lie Blang or go to Chicago. Be-
cause OF the congestion OF theatrical
bookings at present in New York an
immediate chance to give New York
an eyeopener with this piece seemed
doubtful as Mr.. Frazee was having
trouble in getting the house that
seemed nearest to his hearts desire.
Those few choi e words on the con-
gestion in theatrical bookings leads
felicitously up to the statement that
there are now twenty-six plays await
ing bookings in New York. despite the
fact that the howl went UP a few
years ago that Broadway had too many
theaters OF these impending plays
the Shuberts have fourteen champing
on the bit, while A. l.. Erlanger has
twelve tugging at the leash. These
plays for the most part are kept
careering about the country in the
nope 1lat a preach VIII open III tno
Gotham walls. While the congestion
is hard on those on the outside. 1t is
regarded by the lads on the inside as
sign of healthy business.
Business has indeed been quite good
generally in the lull that usually pre-
cedes the burst of Yuletide theater-
going On the road. however. the
going is still trifle rough. George
White dropped in TO look the town
over last week while his Scandals"
were affiliated with Newark. He said
that his shows had done good business
on the road. but that touring still was
as spotty as leopard.
In Cleveland recently an advanced