Evening star., 1926-12-05

'i6No tyPNs hi 1otbNih IL NhJoN ms
however, as simple matter of Gus
tomary routine, the distinction of
having his name repeated at the top
OF the cast of characters. 1t would
be benefit to all connected with
the theater if these two eminent
gentlemen could go on for many
years independent of these small
considerations and set an example
to the rising generation in art.
The dearth of suitable entertain
ment available for this great Ma
tion's Capital is emphasized by the
lack of announcement for anything
to follow when The Passing Show
has passed. The electric lights out
side the President Theater promise
no immediate lumination. What
seems "a Winter of our discomfort
in the regular theater appeals as
something Of "a glorious Summer,
with promise OF golden harvest to
the concertizers and the motion pic
ture men. while all the vaudevilles
continue to offer novelties we'll cal
culated to solace any hopeless yearn-
ing for legitimate entertainment IN
more elaborate form.
x II x
There always will be a theater Of
some kind. as there always has been.
1t will always be distrusted influ-
ence in the minds Of many prudel1
people. The matter to be considered
is what we are going to put in it.
Anyway. we are. des ,,ite some re-
cessions. still far in advance of the
shows. for audiences Of the old
Colosseum at Rome insisted on
having Christian martyrs fed to
the lions. And we may devoutly
say. For this relief much thank! !
Though the Powers Supreme that
govern the world of splendid spec
tacles may ruthlessly assert right
to rob us of our morals, they at least
spare our lives.
Otis Skinner finds way to meet
the apparent deficiency in play ma
terial which many another actor
could follow to advantage. He digs
himself up from beneath seasons
past as Col. Brideau. that fascinat
ing shbuckler whom Balzac made
the hero OF his story on which was
based The Honor Of the Family
This production will restore some
thing of the element of fair con-
troversy that the stage has lacked
for some seasons past. We have
1,l <1,n 80, y IN ahSn-
lutte dominance for a .ong time.
Whatever the woman of the play
might do she was morally justified,
regardless of what her grandmother
might have thought about it. Col.
Brideau. in precisely an opposite
view OF the matter. bullies schem-
ing woman and even comes near
cudgeling her, and this to the entire
satisfaction of an audience that
highly disapproves OF the advantage
she has taken of silly Old gentle
man who protests he cannot live
without her. SO far as feminine in
dependence, as modern lnstitu-
ton. is concerned. the play is al
most as revolutionary as would be
Tanning of the Shrew' with Petru-
chic in dress suit.
The engagement Of Skinner will
bark back to a custom that has long
been discontinued in giving one of
its performances as benefit for
the late manager. William Fowler.
Benefits were frequent occurrences
when the relations of the people of
a community with the theater were
closer than they have become since
the local direction was largely alb
sorbed. so far as choice of material
is concerned, by the New York book
ing offices. 1t is probable that in.
Washington the spirit of acquain-
tance on personal terms between
the theater and its public has sur
vived more than in other cities, and
the personality of William Fowler
was largely to be thanked for re-
tanning so pleasant a glimpse into
the past. A benefit to him is espe
ciaIly appropriate for that reason.
1t is in the nature OF acknowledge
ment of a useful career in the spirit
of cordial understanding; something
far apart from the old testimonial
system as it drifted into purely mer-
cenary channels and man was
often engaged with the understand
ing that a benefit would be rendered
him as a part of the seasons COM
pensation. An actor handsomely
schooled with most polished methods
of the old time stage. a story whose
authorship implies the most vivid
charm of word painting and a re-
vival of the spirit of good fellow
ship and remembrance make a COM
bination which will surely be difficult
to resist.