Evening star., 1926-03-14

nNE- OF the most generally un-
satisfactory theatrical seasons
Washington has experienced lags
visibly as it approaches definite
close. This close is marked usually
by the appearance of the stock COM
panv in place Of the travelling attrac-
tions. Theater patrons rclinquished
tho stock company with reluctance
last year. and no doubt will welcome
its return. Indeed there has been no
dearth of stock company attractions
throughout the Winter. The Her
bert Players have given perhaps the
best account OF themselves of any
group occupying the Wardman Park
Theater and the ST. Patrick Players
have demonstrated proficiency
which gives them a niche of esteem
quite their own, not only in this city
but in the surrounding territory.
Perhaps their most serious effort
will be the forthcoming production
of dramatic poem on a Lenten
theme. depicting the life story of
the penitent thief who died upon the
cross.
white Cargo which Earl Carroll
is using in his consistent effort to
turn one theater after another into
some sort of intellectual plague spot.
returned after it had exhausted its
drawing capacity earlier in the sea-
son. Mr.. Carroll absolves himself
from all apparent obligation. not
merely to the more decent element
of the public. but to that element
which still conservatively demands
its theater vices with little gliding.
His later policy has been to feature
notorietv under conditions which
obviously indicate an acceptance of
scandalous prominence as the sole
asset of stage exhibition.
\ X
Notoriety has been the gateway to
honest celebrity 1t was so for Les
lie Carter. who has been playing here
in vaudevi1le-where at some time or
another all the good actors go-and
it was so in the case Of Mrs. James
Brown Potter and Of Mrs. Langtry
and many others. But they faced
the early storm Of criticism bravely
with material obtained from the
best available sources and with a
plain determination to depend upon
the popular critical verdict independ-
entity of the idle curiosity which is
willing to cape and stare at the hero
inc OF offensive or unfortunate cpl
sode as it would at some eccen-
tricity OF nature in a sideshow.
X x
Mr.. Carroll has frankly intimated
that his newest exploitation is not
at present an article to be submitted
to the attentions OF the professional
reviewers. Whatever the reason for
this attitude may be. it is no doubt
an excellent one. and may result in
giving number of overworked and
puzzled scribcs the benefit of well
deserved night off.
As it frayed at the edges the sea.
son left Cyril Maude the only bit of
theatrical fabric remaining artisti-
callv intact. Mr.. Maude, as he comes
from wear to year gently Threatening
to give up acting forever and reading
In the faces Of delighted spectators
a soulful plea that he will relent in SO
cruel a determination. has brought
up the question of whether. after
ali. an actor really needs a play or
whether the play is merely an EN-
bellishment conventionally expected,
though largely inutile. like a collar
and necktie or the buttons on coat
sleeve. When player has bad
play it handicaps him temporarily.
and when it fails he steps merrily
into vaudeville for few weeks, is
perfectly satisfactory to his audi
ences regardless of plot or climax
and passes his time comfortably un-
til another play comes along with
which he expects better luck. In
his latest offering Mr.. Maude dis
penses more and more with drama
responsibilities and depends with in
creasing confidence OH his own little
ndescribable but irresistible touches
of intimate personalism. until he
abandons his play altogether and
makes humorous 'monologue in the
puise of curtain speech, by far the
best part of the entertainment. Mr..
Maude has the art Of making him