Evening star., 1927-11-27

III mas become customary 10 as
sumo an attitude of disappointment
with reference to the current the
ater. Many tryouts have futtered
swiftly across the scene with scarce
ly the vitality to carry them through
sunshiny Autumn day. The try
outs are compensated for by an oc-
casional first glimpse at some ell
tertainment of gigantic proportions
and often of surprising merit.
1t becomes a timely and agreeable
occupation to consider the things the
Washington theater has offered to
promote the spirit of Thanks giving.
The list OF promises with which
the season opened created no great
expectations. AS matter of fact,
the entertainments claiming true
gratitude have not arrived invariably
in the regular routine of advance no.
tices, billboard pictures and the
stereotyped assurance that the play
was an enormous success elsewhere,
and is in such demand that it can
be allowed to remain here for one
week only. Some of the most strik-
ing entertainments disregarded all
the old plodding methods of the per-
functory booking offices and intro
duced the element of dramatic sur
prise even in the manner of their
exploitation.
Perhaps the most that this city
has had to be thankful for was the
"Show Boat" General descriptions
whispered around in advance of its
arrival suggested innovation which
must seem impractical. The delay of
the opening until Tuesday night
forecast another long, sleepless night
like that of THE Comic Supplement"
unless the auditor might be willing
and able to doze through some of
the specialties. When early in the
evening it became clear that the pro-
gram if played in full must run a
half hour after midnight, another
fear created spinal shudders as to
the fate of creation which was
opening up so brilliantly. Following
a not uncommon custom among pro-
ducers of his general type, Mr.. Zieg-
field appears to make point of find
ing out what conservative play pa
irons say Simply can't be done" and
then deliberately doing. it in as gor-
geously ostentatious manner as pos
sible.
It is safe to say that "The Show
Boat" will not be duplicated in splen-
dor this season. 1t is one of the big
things to be remembered and con-
forms to the new rule that a show
to keep going must be an enormous
success. There is no longer a place
in the booking offices for the medi-
ocre business venture, however meri-
torious its art may be, that would be
content to go on its way from week
to week playing to audiences large
enough 10 cover travelling expenses
and provide living for a loyal group
often zone happy family"-of
players. In a large measure such
enterprises must avail themselves
of methods OF primitive itineracy,
with motors taking the place of the
old MISSISSIPPI steamboat, which now
emerges from its long dormancy in
the chrysalis of memory and asserts
itself as one of the most magnificent
butterflies ever seen on Broadway
More of the gratitudes Of the sea-
son so far have been earned by SUBJ
stantial worth than by dazzling dis
play involving musical and more or
less acrobatic demonstrations.
$50 To Bed was another play
which slipped in almost unheralded
1t was seen but for three nights and
a matinee, with little time to efface
the impression that the melancholy
Monday darkness of the theater was
TO continue throughout the week
Yet it delivered fine box office re-
suits and many phones have ques-
toned. How soon will it return"
x* v
It is depressing not TO be sure
when some of these most valued
visitors will return. No intimacy OF
the details of play booking and pro.
duction suffices to explain why a
work much admired cannot be re.
turned to its public more frequently
Early in the season inquiries were
q made as to when "Pickwick" would
be back. 1t was until now impos.
slble to answer them, although i,
was generally taken for granted tina,
its career en- tour would be long ant
prosperous. The answer now is tha,
"pickwick will not be back at all
having closed for causes not officially
diagnosed one of the most brilliant
careers that any American play
house product has known.
Another play we'll written, dain
lily acted. led audiences TO express
Z 4