Evening star., 1923-09-04
PRESIDENT-"Nice People.


: Managing Director Airing Alcine Of
the new President Players, no less
than Harry Manners, the efficien,
stage director of the new company, has
every reason to feel proud of their frs,
Performance of Rachel Crother's de-
Hghtful comedy, Mice People" at the
President Theater last evening. and
that means also that they may feel
gratified with their players, all new
to Washington, who scored q real sue
cess in it.
Mr.. Alcine, in curtain speech, brief
and to the point, outlined his plans
for the coming season. He invited
the public into his confidence and
gave assurance of an earnest and
determined effort to give Washington
what it wants in theatrical entertain
ment. He had representative audi
ence to witness his first effort, and
that audience by it's applause and
general demeanor showed its sympa-
thetic interest not only in the play
but in what ne said. Taken all in
all, the new venture of giving roper
toire performances during the regular
theatrical season and at the well
known moderate prices for stock en-
tertalnment gives promise of sea-
son that will not be less satisfactory
70 the new management than it will
be in delightful entertainment to
many of our best people to whom the
Cost is big consideration.
Nice People" is a slice Of real life
OF the fast and wealthy young folks
OF today. 1t gives both sides Of the
story and presents complete case
For individual judgment as to whether
eur young girls have deteriorated
from the standards of their mothers
ana their grandmothers. 1t concerns
particularly Teddy" Gloucester. pet
ted daughter of wealthy father
course of her inclinations until, un-
Intentionally, she gravely compro-
misses her reputation. And here she
sees the light that leads to her saliva
tion.
Miss Edith King, the new leading
woman, gives an admirable per
formance. Her emotional work is
particularly fine and it seemed a pity
that she had to struggle, in a produc-
ton magnificently staged and fit
one point of the play which could
not help but be handicap. Her ar
Gstry rose above it and her work
throughout was such as to give much
promise in future plays. John Litel,
the new leading man, at once won his
way to the front, and he, too, seems
likely to become a Washington stock
favorite-and that means much in
Washington. Miss Helen Travers. as
the aunt of the story. matched the
counterpart of the role in the origi-
nal production and is a decided asset
to the company. Others of the COM
pany contributed to the pleasure OF
the evening with portrayals more or
less adequate. This. however, is not
the time for criticism. but for encour-
agemept, for a first performance in a
new city before an audience absolute
ly new is trying ordeal even for the
best players of the stage. That the
performance was given the closest at
tention. much applause and the un-.
rristakab1y sympathetic reception OF
an audience well worth while is a
triumph of the most encouraging
comfort.
.Theater patrons who respond to the
appeal of Manager Alcine this week
by seeing Nice People" will find en-
joyable and ample return for their
money. The new company, he an
nounced. will offer a new play each
week rather than sap patience with
w. H. I.