Evening star., 1925-03-08
Theaters IN Accord With
Inaugural Quietude
By Ph1ander Johnson.

was considered too reverential for
lndlscriminate exploitation, and the
thought of commercializing it was
abhorrent. All this has changed.
Sophisticated as the theatergoing
world has become, 1t is even yet i'm
possible to avoid certain impressions
of sacrilegious incongruity. At a
showing some seasons past 1t be-
came desirable to crowd as many
performances into a day as possible.
The operator ran the film so fast as
to destroy all dignity of movement
among the figures on the screen,
leaving only the impression of a
groteSque preciptance. In the cur
rent film display of the Freiburg
players the theater presents a work
OF art judiciously accomplished, and
yet the reckleSsneSS with which a
theme of this kind is sure to be ap-
preached by some thoughtless per-
son was again in evidence; this time
on the part of the billposter, who
did not hesitate to display his litho-
graphs of sacred scenes and per-
sonalities on the dead walls which
accompanied them with all sorts of
labels and legends.
x X
An interesting opportunity for
comparison was offered by the spe-
cial production of Rain" which
brings the President Theater again
into the field. The President NAV
be regarded as Washington's most
versatile playhouse, its entertain
ment having ranged from the most
popular merriment to the most
classical music. 1t is unusual for
a play so successful as Rain" to be
placed before the public in numer-
Gus editions so early in its career.
Possibly there is feeling that the
audacious style of drama is not long
for the footlights and it may be as
we'll to clean up"
x
The interest in the present en-
gagement is strong in spite of
the fact that the play was SO
recently seen with a celebrated
cast. The excellent acting which
has distinguished it does not pre-
vent the play from being regard
ed as the great and essential ele-
ment of appeal. Jeanne Eagels
was unable to play during portion
of the engagement at the National
Theater. Yet those who saw an un-
derstudy in the role expressed no
dissatisfaction. Once an actor has
identified himself with a strong part
those who have seen him will have
no other. The Jeanne Eagels pro-
duction set certain patterns for the
various characters which cannot be
disregarded in observing a different
presentation. 1t is a matter of first
impression, and it is quite possible
that those who on first acquaintance
with the play see another actress
playing Sadie Thompson might, at
a subsequent view, regard Miss
Eagels herself as lacking at some
moments in a precise and proper
concept of the role.
X X
The earlier production Of Rain
attributed the stage direction to
John D. Williams, whose experience
has been with plays of the more lit
erary type. 1t has been stated that
Mr.. Sam Forrest also had a con-
tributory hand in the Eagels pro-
duction. In the performance now
on Mr. Forrest is accredited with
the entire responsibility for casting
and stage business.
X X
The civic committee in New York
that is now taking up question
which has puzzled philosophers
through the ages-the question OF
the exact relationship of morals to
geography and historical era-is
likely to accomplish little, either by
kind words or threats, with the pro-
ducers themselves, who are playing
pots and kettles in denouncing one
another's material 1t is a sort OF
bootleg drama that has been de-
veloped. Managers pretend they
believe themselves unobserved and
the traffic thrives the more it is de-
nounced. 1t is with the audience
who pays, that change must be
wrought, and there are indications
that the mere repetition of rough
language grows wearisome to the
ear.
X X
It has been. often claimed that