Evening star., 1927-10-02

n being exhibited it becomes
~ plain that Washington, D. C.,
a will have the privilege OF wit
Messing styles in advance. Many OF
the entertainments shown to TINS
world Capital are in reality only ad-
vance representatives assembled III
enormous squadrons, of actors ana
songsters, together with scenic &C
coutrements, prepared to make
demonstration which will assure
New York that something new and
wonderful is on the way. 1t IS moth
ing unusual to find that an attrac-
ton which played in Washington! at
prices of three or perhaps tour ooi-
lars, when transported to New YORK
and successfully established. VIII
command sl2, $l4. $16-here figures
fail and the voice of Munchausen
seems to assert itself.
A woeful traveller on his Western
way after visiting New York relates
an experience: Il was told tnere
was a good show at certain the
ater. | went there feeling rather
liberal toward myself and asked the
ticket seller to give me the best seat
he could for S.. He looked over
INV head at the people standing in
line and then answered: If you've
Got S45 YOU can buy one seat IN the
orchestra. Only you'll have TO speak
quick"
II is stimulating to consider the
possibility that every new show ap-
bearing in Washington may prove
one of these specimens OF theatrical
fireworks, which, after brict splut..
ter and sizzle, suddenly expand and
scatter glittering financial splendors
all over Broadway.
OF course. the biggest money re-
suits are to be expected from lavish
iv costumed musical entertainments:
And vet talking play with a limited
cast of genuine favorites may, II 1t
fits the moment nicely. arrive at
share of pecuniary eftulgence ana
long popularity quite out OF proper
ton to the investment.
X X \ y
A short-cast speaking play is what
. turfman might call long shot.
The spectacular attraction starts ITS
race asa well backed favorite. 1t
is on those two very agreeable
actors, Madge Kennedy and Sidney
Blackmer. that Producer Charles l..
Wagner depends chiefly as he puts
"The Springboard" into evidence as
a contender.
The manner in which so many
piays light on the boards of the local
theater and then leap off into space
make the title seem somewhat ap-
plicable to the position of Washing
ton, D. c., as the try-out center of
the continent.
Alice Duer Miller has followed the
example OF many recent playwrights.
among them Michael Arlen (who
is again to be heard from this week.,
in making character study and smart
dialogue more conspicuous than plot
in responsibility. She goes forward
on the theories of those students Of
mental operation who say that man
or woman, however they may con-
auer the actual expressions of their
impulses. never lose them and are
always likely to yield under stress
of circumstances. So the man goes
on being selfish and the woman con-
tinues to be imposed upon, 1t is a
very modern play. as modern as any
story in a magazine whose decorated
cover displays a lady with an egg
shaped face, CLASSY eyes and geomet-
rical hair.
II takes, the plot revealing the
man who is infatuated with woman,
throws into reverse and shows us
the humiliating self-sacrifce of
which a woman fortified by every
means for personal independence
both in fortune and career may be
capable. Madge kennedys role is
plausible enough and requires only
the good acting Characteristic of her
TO carry it along swingingly. Black
mer needs all his charm OF personal
ity, his restraint which renders him
at times almost negative, to prevent
his role from slipping over the bor-
der line and leaving him to appear
pretty much a bounder. No precise
question is raised as to whether he
is merely a creature Of the electric
lights insatiate in new firtations. Oh
whether he is loose and indiscrimi.