The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-01
Another Success Scored By Little
 Theatre Play

Birmingham's Little theatre has scored another brilliant succes in it's presentation of "Wappin' Warf," by W. w. Jacobs. Indeed one is tempted to say "the best yetw In one scene, at least, it was the best, for interest either increases or decreases--we eithr go for
 ward or backwad and if at the end of the season play can be put on which gives us a new thrill, which heightens an interest already keen. we must con cede it has an element of dramatic eli max big enough and fOrceful enough to round out and give finishing touch to the whole seasons effort. "Wappin' Wharf" came like a finale to a grand symphony. Such finale is not neces- sarily the most profound of the several movements, but it has to be of striking character, and full of dash and fire. If it also contains a strong emotional ap- peal. it will be sure of reaching the de- sired climax. And ''Wappin' Warf," as presented under Mir. Bernard Szolds remarkably able direction was full of dash and fire, and was a veritable riot of color; besides which the beautiful lit- tie romance running through the play, underneath the story of rough pirate life, was so charmingly handled that it made a touching appeal to the sym pathies of the audience, striking as strong a human note as has perhaps been heard this season. Jacobs play reads well from the book. but judged by the rehearsals. even up to two weeks ago, it did not seem to the writer to give promise of any very great interest when staged. The unqualified success of the actual production is therefore all the greater tribute to the ability of Mir. Szold as director. and of those asso- ciated with him in the execution of all the details of mise en scene: Mir. Louis Schillinger who sketched the scenery, and Mrs. Saxton Crawford, Mrs. w. T. Warren and Mrs. Louise Cone, who painted it; Mir. Hubbret Smith. who made the frames for the canvas; MT. David Solomon. responsible fro light ing effects, and Mrs. Sybil Caldwell
 in charge of properties, who, with her husband, Erwin Caldwell has worked untiringly for the success of every pro- duction given by the Little theatre. On this occasion it would almost seem as if Mrs. Caldwell had joined the band of plundering pirates mad pillaged every place in Birmingham that could yield up any treasures suitable for decorating the stage. Indeed. the play was given as beautiful setting as could possibly be imagined. Thunder and lightning and the constant swish of the sea on the beach, were realistic effects that materially heightened the prevailing at- mosphere of excitement. Appropriate music was furnished by Miss Mitchell, violinist, and Mrs. F. l.. Hume, pianist. Especially must be mentioned the gor- geous costuming of the actors; the en- Semble of color thus produced was distinct element in the before mentioned climatic success of the play. "Wappin
 Warf" has added another batch of ca pable players to the already consid- erable list developed in the Little thea tre this season; they were one and all good. and brief mention must suffice. Jack Bowron, as ''the Duke" Paul Pim, as "Patch-Eye;" John Higgins, as ''The Captain, ;" Mrs. Jack Walton. as "Dar- lin" Howard Bailey, as Red Joe :" Mitylene Yates, as Betsy" Jack Lon don. as 'The English Captain :" Leon Levinge and Stanley Erdeich, as Sail ors," Mrs. Vassar Allen, who presides over the destin:es of Birmingham's Lit tie theatre, has good reason to feel gratitied at such a sucesscful conclusion of the first season; and, in the conclud- ing words of "Wappin' Warf' we will wish for the future PADDY Daysr'