The Washington times., 1924-03-19
ROMPING AROUND
RADIO j DIAL
BY Listener-In-

Some time ago we referred in this
column to Roxy as "Barnum
turned Barrie.
We now wish to strike out the
word Barnum."
References to showmanship as re.
lated to Mr.. Rothafel seem vulgar
Once we thought there was very
large element OF Snowman about
the genial manager OF the Capitol
Theater artists. But after yester-
day afternoon we have changed our
mind.
Barnum relied on human weak
neSSes for his success. Roxy takes
human nature as he finds it and
by playing to it makes 1t strong.
Roxy, twice in an afternoon,
packed Polls.
ekoff's Cherry Orchard.
which in our undergraduate days
we were told was one Of the great
est Of twentieth century dramas, en-
acted by the players Of the Moscow
Art Theater. brought only h hand
full Of enthusiasts to the same
theater.
Chekoff was art, Roxy was en-
tertainment.
There is a moral.
We do not pretend to classify
Roxy and his gang as art or arts
try except insomuch as the Capitol
Theater ensemble exemplifies more
than any other aggregation of tai
ented folk in the world today the
artistry Of personality.
There are better singers, and
there may be better musicians
though from our limited knowledge
Of violins we can say that we think
Ormohdy is quite able to compete
with Kreisler or any other fiddler
of the world on equal terms.
But to date there is only one
Roxy, only one personality which
has grasped the key to human ma
ture and turned the lock of perfect
radio entertainment.
Radio has given Roxy his great
opportunity, to be sure, but Roxy
was making popular theatrical his
tory long before radio became a
household world.
Radio only gave Roxy a new
avenue to fame. He was already
well along to renown before re.
ceiving sets began to crowd the
movies.
We took our seat in Row D
many minutes before the curtain
was scheduled to rise at Roxy's
first personal performance in the
Capital.
When the lights were turned out
in the auditorium and the curtain
began slowly to ascend. We sensed
at once that we were in for bit
Of Roxy whimsicality.
We were right. Form the black
ness of the stage came the WELL
known voice. of the broadcast an
nouncer with the usual routine re-
marks.
THE next voice you will hear
will be that of Roxy" concluded
the announcer.
Applause shook the theater. BY
"shook" we mean just that.
World renowned artists and
actors have appeared on the Poll
stage time after time with far less
show Of enthusiasm than that ac-
corded to the Voice of Sunday
nights"
Anu IL CNCI, any
group of performers been more
honestly and sincerely welcomed
than the Gang.
One sank back in ones sea- know,
ing that all was we'll with the
world as long as Roxy was at the
microphone.
Whispers of recognition broke the
silence Of the auditorium as Roxy
presented each and every one Of
his minstrel troupe. That's CANDY.
There's Doug. It's Marjorie. He's
Peter the Great" comments ran
up and down the aisles and along
the rows of seats.
And then they got on with their
songs and ballads and clowning
It wasn't Roxy with Snowman g
whip as we had thought, but Roxy
with a gentle word. delightful
gesture, and a Barriesque pleasantly
that put them through their PAGES.
They were all there whom we
had heard through the night and
their personalities were accentuated
far beyond the point that we had
thought possible.
Thav sang the old tunes. the SOM s