Evening star., 1928-02-22
ADJUSTMENTS
NATIONAL THEATER-Dennis King.

NATIONAL THEATER-Dennis King.
The outstanding incident In the glo-
rious profusion Of color. grace and mel
ody in embellishing the immortal story
OF D'Artagnan was the speech delivered
| by Dennis King after the curtain had
been lifted many times. It was the touch
of Nature that makes the whole world
kin. What George Ade calls the II
Knew Him When" Club assembled in
full force to welcome the actor-singer
who now holds the spotlight beyond dis
pute in popular attention. It was All
audience far more formal in appear
ance than any Of those King faced in
the stock company at the Garrick Thea
ter. and. 1t may be added. far more
numerous.
1t was an audience prepared to revel
in enthusiasm. Those who had not
followed the stars conscientious and
capable work in the stock company had
heard Of him abundantly In connection
with his brilliant success In THE Vaga-
bond King In telling how the re-
splendent marvel of last night came to
pass he mentined the name of Zicgfeld
with regard that was affectionate.
The Washington public has not ceased
to thank ziegfeld for first glimpse OF
The Show Boat"
He referred In spirit of gentle
"reminiscences to the stock players at the
Garrick, who braved the imminent
possibility of working IL weeks for two
weeks salary" This town held no re-
sentiments for him. His talk with
ziegfeld, which resulted in this produc-
ton he recalls about like this:
ziegfeld said: king, what would you
like to do neXt?"
King replied promptly: "D'Artagnon."
"All right. Sign up. Where do you
want to open?"
I'm Washington"
1t was little glimpse behind the
scenes that threw the crowd into an
ecstasy of applause.
The performance last night was an
nolnced as "a public dress rehearsal"
The phrase Is somewhat paradoxicai
The performance assumed all the re-
sponsibilitieS of first night. 1t neld
interest In fascinated thraildom as the
wrist watch licked on past II, past IL
and so far toward the morning
The public has become educated to
late hours and no longer resents them
Ziegfeld has asserted himself as a
thoroughly legitimate producer and
| sends a challenge on behalf of the
| more sedate theater as a midnight
| competitor Of the night clubs.
| readers through many years. 1t re-
manned for this presentation to con-
centrate upon it all the resources of
the modern stage. Sometimes the ac-
| tual tale is lost in the beauty of special
| numbers revealing only dance and cos
| tune. Just when 1t threatens to be-
come more revue than drama 1t picks
| up the narrative and develops a situa-
| ton In keeping with Friml's vigorous
music. which again asserts itself with
| especial appeal In massed effects, The
| production reflects something OF the
spirit of the Russian theater. where
ability to sing Is taken for granted and
| Is not permitted to stand as an apology
for indifferent acting.
| As the scenes successfully unfold
| they constitute panorama OF stage
| beauty. The painted canvas alone Is
often sufficient to compel applause. The
| splendors of costume. which may easily
| nificences OF the old French court.
complete a gorgeous picture.
| The art OF dueling is revived in all
| lis pictureSqueness. The dramatic ver-
sion OF the story by William Anthony
| MCGUIRE gives a well-relatcd idea of the
consecutive elements OF plot even while
leaving place for many specialistic
int t,rludes.
The impetuous D'Artagnan is not
allowed quite 70 run away with the
| interest
The brave brethren who gave the
romance its title are portrayed by frst-
rate players, each distinctively in char
acter One OF the most striking songs
| OF the evening falls TO the share OF
Aranis. impersonated by Joseph Ma
cauley. who delivers 1t handsomely.
An opportunity was offered Lester
Allen In the role OF the diminutive
Planchet. a sort of Sancho Panza in
exaggerated buffo. It's opportunities
were grasped to their ridiculous utmost
! A willy Richelieu was portrayed by
| Reginald Owen. The characters were
we'll enacted throughout the list Any
points on which improvement may be
looked for after this public dress re-
hearsai' relate rather to portions OF
the musical renditions than TO the
| dramatic art.
THE Three Muskateers" live anew In
modern expression. Yet. still replete
with old romance. the play, or the opera
| conioue II 1t is so 10 be called. shows
| the finest DArtagnan since the role
was taken by young Salvini.
PHILANDER JOHNSON.
4 Q
| ~. vfirrerv Hav n, yordo1 rercptIv