Evening star., 1923-04-17
P0LI'S-"As You Like t." Ameri-
can National Theater.

However high may have been the
expectations Of those who have long
looked forward to the establishment
Of q national theater" in this coun-
try, devoted to the production of the
best In drama in the most artistic
manner, they were probably realized
last night, when, before capacity
audience at Pol"s in this city. AS
You Like 1t" was presented as the
premier OF the american National
Theater," In choice OF play. In selec-
tion of actors. in. setting and In ndel-
ity to the spirit of the great drama
tist, those who have promoted this
important new movement In Ameri-
Can theatrical adventure have .un-
doubtedly achieved success and nave
made an important and gratifying ad-
vance toward the redemption OF the
stage in this country from innuences
that have long affected It unhappy.
Usually Shakespeare Is chosen as
the medium of star" and the play
is selected to suit the particular quail
ifications OF the individual whose as
pirations have reached toward that
zenith of the art. In this case another
foundation has been chosen. broader
and stronger and making for a Tar
better dramatic structure. The plays
the thing" the company merely me-
dunn. the setting an expression. To
the creQlt OF tnOSe VINO are Su ldiAihe
this great aspiration, which has been
given the significant title Of the
american National Theater." suscep-
tfble of vast possibilities, the task ap,
pears to have been accomplished
without undue stress being given to
or actress cast in one of the four or
Ave roles Of LAS You Like It" that
stand forth conspicuouSly, VIII, now
ever competent the support, shine
lv,lx rh n
Shakespeare. who in this play gave
the fullest opportunity for ability.
~ You Like IT, is Rosalind's play
particularly. Therefore the Rosalind
Is the first test Of Its successful pro-
duction. Marjorie Rambeau. well
night demonstrated the possession OF
the quality that makes for stellar
honors. She is lovely to the eye. her
voice Is music to the ear. she Is ca
pable of wide range of emotion, ana
she has a keen perception of the del
icacies of mood that in this great
comedy make the strongest appeal to
the audience. If her Rosalind may
not become one of the great achieve
ments Of stage history. 1t Will serve
the better for being in close harmony
with the work of her associates In a
company of remarkably even ability.
Last night 1t deserved the repeated
manifestations of approval granted 1t
by a delighted audience.
Closely following Miss Rambeau's
Rosalind Is the sprightly. charming
Celia of Margalo Gilmore. who mani
tested a delightfully."- delicate vivacity,
scoring particularly in the fourth act.
AS "Rosalind" tests the cast of LAS
You Like 1t" on the feminine side. so
"Orlando" is the measure on the mas
culine side. Ian Keith meets the ex-
acting requirements, with grace and
fire, personality and sincerity. He Is
a decidedly good looking Orlando"
young. convincing and sympathy-com-
pelling.
Not long ago Washington witnessed
a bit of Belasco enterprise in the i'm
portation of A. S. Anson from England
to play the comparatively trifing role
of the Duke of Venice in support of
David Warfeld's "Shylock." There
was some remark at the time on the
score of using so skilled an actor in