Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-15
ghlySerious Moment
Mid Farcical Song

| his characters in glass houses where
the world may scrutinize and caves
drop to its hearts content The play
Celebrates small glimpses afforded
by news and hearsay and explains
or seems partially to explain much
that is mysterious in everyday con-
duct. At least it gives basis for more
intelligent theorizing.
y xx
Another advantage of small cast
for literary play is the opportunity
il affords for accurate rehearsals.
With Miss Crewes as the main pillar
OF support the structure never way
ers. Miss Crewes chooses for herseii
character that interests because il
is human and not because of any
loftincss OF mind. There is a Ger
tain reminder OF the methods OF the
late Bruce McRae in some OF the
masculine work A bitter model
for the actor whose career is still
carly could not be studied.
In its truthful type the dialogue
risks some very body vernacular. as
well as some intimate references TO
biology by the lady scientist. True
TO the modern spirit of the creation
it is TO this character that the au-
thor gives all the best of the heroics
Her denunciation is eloquent and
convincing.
This denunciation incident is the
one that prevents the play from hav-
ing an uncompromisiu2ly tragic end
ing A bold experiment is made
when a girl hezrtbroken after re-
turning her engagement ring and at
tempting suicide appears. ready for
a farewell forever. Asked where
she is going, she replies Il am going
10 marry an orphan II is a snAppy
line. yet hardly one 10 be expected
| just before the curtain goes down
| on series of tremendously emo
| tionai scenes.
Yet it is all managed. The tenn
pestuous home quarrel does not
leave behind such trail OF moral
and physical destruction as TO OBJ
hterate a thought Of possibility that
events may take such turn in the
course Of years as 10 bring conciiia-
ton al around; cancellations that
| will permit the head OF the home
who IS kind only TO be cruel. to re-
appear at last after some nature
study, as the bringer OF toys at
Christmas Tor two families and 10
be found officiating as hostess at
The holiday feast.
The Sidewalks III New York" az
very special and unusual feature.
introduces Miss Ray Dooley right
side up.
A departure from ,heater custom
IS made IN utilizing the Stage a. a
means Of promoting the popularity
o. political figure. The title points
directly 10 Coy. Al Smith, and il is
no more than proper that Mr.. Smith
himself should be represented as q
very responsible and agreeable figure
~ the proceedings. Several PLAYERS
whose busy days were cotempora
neons with the vogue of the side.
walks are grouped in the company,
ana each gave q wonderful account OF
hmsflf. II is sometimes just as well
| ''' ~ ScN't any one OIL these per-
formers Tor special compliment
Even the most cherished veterans
are not immune 10 profe ssional
jealousy.
Miss Dooley is not sion. in
subofd'ns'ina her acrobatic sutic.
10 stride toward more legitimate
methods. Billy Il. Van, whose sDt
ei@Ity approached The gro,esaue
reads lines ~ manner betting a
good, legitimate comedian, and he
may yet be due for the high hat
spats and cheekered trousers Of the
gentlemen whose beaehceht chuckle
InteTvebes 10 avert the foiiies OF I'M.
petuous youth, In art there comes
a dignity with years and a player
has made important advance when
he has iorssksn rough song and les,
and is permitted 10 wear soap ius,
above thk ears IN imitation al gray
baf
"Oge Sunny Day" has a group oil
: players whose cooperation easil,
, spelis the word "lnvincibIe." 1t /,
8 one III those CHEEKY condemnation,