Evening star., 1924-02-24


tions without searching for the mi
mute touch OF difference which
vitalizes them into popular appeal
Whether hokum has come down
from "hocus pocus" or from the
simple English 'hoax," it remains
for philologists to determine. At
any rate, the Father of His Country,
could he have visited any of the
~plays, would have come away feel
ing that he had been just trifle
"hoked."
The so-called religious drama is
seldom made for religious people.
There has been but one great re-
ligious drama in this country. Ben
Hur,' which had to be retired at
the height OF its popularity because
OF an unfortunate quarrel among its
owners. The fact that the people
loved the play could not release it
from the commercial entanglements
which left it merely material for
lawyer controversy.
!: x I;
just why the President Players call
themselves "Theater Guild is not
clear. 1t is not an association OF
artisans who pay their dues, discuss
plans for business and occasionally
indulge in theatric demonstrations
like Bottom and Peter Ounce in
Midsummer Nights Dream" The
New York Theater Guild soon
passed under the control of practi-
al n ,ct, ~, IL,
"guilders' were looked after in the
box office as well as on the stage
The President is, however. taking
step toward early principles in pro-
noting a stock company as a local
institution and calling on outside as
sistancc when needed. 1t shares the
local stock field with the Rams
Head Players, with an advantage,
however, in downtown location and
larger seating capacity. The plan of
a stock company with visiting stars
is to be tried out on bigger scale
than this city has previously known,
when next month the Washington
Opera Company, which from a mod
est beginning has advanced to high
position in popular esteem, will pro-
duce an attractive group of three
grand operas, with famous singers
from New York and Chicago head
ing the companies. The organiza-
tion has shown not only exceptional
ensemble proficiency, but the avail
ability of soloists capable of singing
principal roles in most satisfactory
manner. Local pride may even 60
SO far as to question whether it has
been necessary to go SO far in add
ing the glamour of imported repu-
tation to the attractions of an or
ganization which has already gone
so far strictly on its merits.
X X x X
The imaginary pilgrimage OF
Washington halted embarrassed at
the portals of the National, where
opera of the most modern Dilling-
ham school was offered under the
title of One Kiss" The title may
have been correct SO far as the num-
Der originally. contemplated is con-
cerned, but it took great many en-
cores. At Polls "The Blarney
Stone might have suggested sweet
Irish melodies, but the tunes were
fresh from the music mills, and
Washington would surely have pre-
ferred to be at home breathing into
his flute the strains familiar to his
day. 1t is safe to assume that
neither the announcement of "a
Lady Killer" nor that of "The Bride"
tantalizingly portrayed, would have
won his interest to the extent of rem
dering him willing to be one of the
audience. Had he felt it absolutely
necessary to celebrate his birthday
by visit to the playhouse, he would
probably have gone to Keith's to
study a form of diversion so ia
miliar to US all, yet in his own ex.
perience quite unknown.