Evening star., 1927-11-16
ADJUSTMENTS
NATIONAL THEATER-"TheS Show
Boat"

After the first hour or so of THE
Show Boat" at the National Theater
the relationship that has been estab-
lished between Wall Street by day
and Broadway hy night became fully
apparent. 1t was an overwhelming
demonstration of possibilities in capi-
talZing theatric display.
Surprise was manifested when the
Wall Street Journal with a view to
informing commercial visitors of avail
able New York entertainment. took
unto itself a dramatic critic--a real
one-the late James Metcalf. who had
welded a bellicoSe pen for Life
when Life was real, Life was
earnest"
Since critique and market report
may go side by side, let it be here
predicted that there will soon be a
sharp advance in the price of thea ter
tickets among New York spectators.
"'The Show Boat" if it can he con-
densed into the proportions of a usual
evenings entertainment can com
mand to the utmost patronage
which has introduced j.is 100000"
formula into Broadway drama. EN-.
ploying the figures 10 designate full
round dollars instead of humble cop
pers. Thirty dollars A seat is top
figure. "The Show Boat may send
II TO $40
OF all the plays about struggling
shownla nship. this is the most re-
splendcnt. Behind the gorgeousness
there is a true note of humanity.
1t is the brake which slows the
mechanism of mirth. music and dane
' ing when it threatens a too swift
deiirium.
Having utilized every other poesi-
s,, a;,,ra Evn
Ziegfeld has decided 10 introduce
among his magnificerces of scenery
and dancing the element of plot. This
Is provided by Miss Ferher's novel.
and brings to attention more versatil-
itv than has been seen on the stage
dedicated TO musical spectacle in many
a sea son. Competent singers of mod
ern melodies. which Jerome Kern
knows so we'll how 10 create. prove
no less competent in interpreting the
touches of spoken sentiment which
provide a background of love interest
for an array of magnificent friyolity.
While the Ziegfeld motto for cos
tune and scenery is always zen
avant." he shares a tendency fire.
Quently shown by producers who have
long been before the public to heed
the verse, Turn backward, time, in
thy flight"
The SHOW Boat" on the Mississippi
depicts days Of histrionic pioneering.
The construction of "A theater, with
both stage and auditorium. as a mimic
scene beyond the regular thcater foot
lights is a marvel of ingenuity with
comedy possibilities that are utilized
to the utmost. The hand bill included
IN the program describing in magnilo-
ouent phrase the play and players is
q picturesque touch of reminiscent
realism. SO Is the printed slip with
the words of After the Ball" inviting
the assembled multtude-and the au
dience on this opening night was in
deed multitude-to join in the
chorus.
This latest ZiegfeId production, typi-
cal in bold innovation, serves TO pave
the way for the comprehension, when
II appears later in the season, of Be
lasco's Miss Lulu Belle" The MiSsis-
Hppi River scenes utilize chorus of
cciored singers who easily work their
way on into the facile and conspicuous
interpretations of modern rhythms. In
some respects these Bella scoroons were
the most entertaining and interesting
of the personnel. The soloist in the
song odd Man River" is one of those
natural artiSts-whoSe natural art
rises in importance above the techni-
cal study evidently pur>ued-vho
claim instant admiration. The accom-
pliShed Charles Winnirger is indeed
captain 0f the ship with its cargo
of irolleries.
The company is extraordinarily
large and even more ver:atile in lbil
ity 10 give any kind OF song than
Nanki Poo himself: for versatility here
extends 10 the ability to render any
kind Of a dance ard To contribute any
sort Of acroltatic gesture that might
seem timely. Among the outstanding
performances is that Of Howard Marsh
as the chiyalIOus gambler.
IT is in the second act--there are
only two acts. but they are vOlumnous
that the plot thirkcnS. The serious
element of story IL h!nGcrcd iocause
of a slight difficulty in remembering
at half-paSt twelve exactly what took
place AT half past eight.
An evenings entertainment must
have it's limitation The production is
thing of beauty, but 1t cannot under
take at each performance to go on as
joy forever.
And yet tho process of elimination
will present a difficult task for every
scene is an incident If scintillating de-
light. PHiLANDER JOHNSON.