Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-27

OF course, the women, too, tounC
their vision obstructed, but they had
at least the satisfaction Of keeping
on their hats. The custom appeared
immutable Newspaper print-hrst
in this city and then throughout the
country--focused an attack upon it
confident of the full support Of pub
lie opinion. The large hat disap-
peared in short time, never to re-
turn. whatever might be the varia-
tons of fashion.
There may be found some persua-
sion in which the aid of the police
will not be necessary to cause Of
Tended audiences lured in Innocence
to mcretricious show to organize a
solemn parade up the aisles and out
to the box office to demand their
money back. This will be more near
ly possible when plays like Pick
wick" to which so many Washing
ton lovers of the theater still refer
with pleasure. find easier access to
public attention. Occasionally a play
seems to force its way upon SC
| rough a journey in the face of SC
many encouragement that it seems
like a chapter from Pilgrims Prog
ress." Neither of the two big origi-
nal plays of the current season had
much encouragement i'll the way OF
preliminary New York support.
| * !: * X
As for "Pickwick." now delightine
10 La1t Il, h s1o IL
it welcome for many weeks to come
| the preface to its production as a
story was not only of difficulty but
of tragedy.
Frank Reilly, author and producer
on the opening night of the '"Pick-
/ wick" performance was receiving
congratulations. 1t seemed the
triumph of lifetime to be among
his cherished Dickens friends NOV
ing in flesh and blood. But as one
acquaintance came forward to felici-
tate him on his play another friend
waited nearby to give him the hand
of pressure that denotes sympathy
in deepest personal grief, for it was
on that night that he received a
telegram informing him that his
father could live but short time.
"Pickwick" is already an object OF
| envy among cities that love to be
regarded as the first to witness a
great theatrical success, and much
devious phraseology is employed to
convey the inference that all previous
presentations were only tryouts and
not at all the genuine article. A re-
viewer in the City OF Brotherly Love
casually remarks that after the
"Pickwick' opening in Washington
Philadelphia was chosen for the first
real presentation place because it is
the Dickens center of this country.
A number of other reasons follow,
among them that of popular appeal
to the bulk of that city's theater-
goers. The significant punch in the
comment is the phrase, first real
presentation" And so it goes from
city to city, until in New York the
| entire map west of Jersey City is
brushed aside with a graceful as
sumption that nothing ever really
happens until it happens on Broad
way.
Reilly selected his actors with the
| greatest care, using his own judg-
ment, regardless of regulations and
previous achievement. He frankly
admits the deepest obligation to
| Campbell Gulian, who undertook the
highly responsible task of co-ordi-
mating SO elaborate an array of ma
terial. 1t was titanic labor, requir-
ing not only the keenest artistic per
ception, but indomitable industry
The astonishing statement that dur
ing all the rehearsals not single
cross word was spoken provokes a
faint fear that momentarily some
member of the Pickwick Club
| slipped over into the Ananias Club
The report endows Mr.. Gullan with
a reputation that must rank him
among the worlds greatest tacticians
SO sincere was the presentation OF
"Pickwick" that a great deal of ma
teriaf, more or less intimate in char
acter, was not placed in publicity cir
| culation. A few who sat forward in
the house observed a vacant chair
| at the right-hand side of the aisle
in the third row. 1t was taped across
with ribbon SO that none could place
wraps in it. The reason for this un-
| usual reservation is that this was
Dickens favorite place in the theater
He was a little deaf in one ear and
this particular seat enabled him te
turn his head and hear to best ad-
vantage. This seat will be thus re.
served at every performance Of the
play.
| In a brief conversation with Hugh
Miller, who played Jingle, the remark
was passed that his role had beer
taken by Henry Irving. Quick as q
| fash the actor responded, throwing
wide his arms to call attention tC
the costume:
II have his clothesi"
Then, like great bat, as his cue
sounded, he seemed literally to float
over into the stage scene. There
are other touches like these which
make a present theatrical success:
with long-ago memories and distin-
guish the producers as men who are
not only bold with their money and
their brains, but who possess the
courage of their sentiments.