Evening star., 1928-02-19
Latest Moves on the
Theatre CheSSbOard
By PHiLA<DER JOHNSON.

conscientious effort and faith in
self that mean success in the
theater. Thoroughly admired as
an actor, dependable as we'll as
competent, Dennis Kings talents
as a singer were not suspected.
Frequently as his fellow players
at the Garrick departed home
ward they would turn to look at
a figure in the dim light softly
touching the keys of the piano as
one who plays for his own ear
alone. The comment was often
made:
What an odd way for man
to amuse himSelf!'
The Washington public cannot
be held responsible for ali occa-
Sional lack of interest in the thea
ter. This community is one which
measures the quality of the enter
tainment with a care often so
conservative that a production
which scores a New York success
finds a reception far less enthusi-
2stic than it deserves. Response
to merit was lavishly in evidence
Diplomacy"
In a season when smashing sue
cesses are limited in number SO as
to give a few theaters, even in
New York, a near monopoly OF
patronage, large theaterS become
often available for special enter
tainmentS ranging from grand
opera to pictures de luxe.
II is not reasonable to expect
that another season will go by
with SO pronounced a limitation
Of the list of available dramatic
and light musical attractions. In
the discussion of future housing
facilities for operate organiza-
tions, the Fox Theater has been
mentioned as an ideal home for
great musical productions. The
hope that it will one day afford
appropriate shelter for singers Of
worldwide reputation was eX-
pressed in the literature aSsO-
ciated with it's opening, which
was one Of the most brilliant oc-
casions in the history of Wash
ington theaters. Grand opera in
the Fox Theater for a few weeks
scattered through the season is a
dream now entertained by mana
gers and one which will crafty
many patrons II it can be made
to come true. The support given
the Albion company's presenta-
tions during the past week was
sufficiently liberal TO indicate a
substantial and increasing desire
for this form Of entertainment
Opera will presently turn from
the tragedies Of the old poets and
/ composers 10 the comedies Of Gill
bert and Sullivan. These operct-
tas were so lightly regarded that
/ highly educated musicians often
apologized for the keen enjoy
nacnt TO be found in them. The
works were called nonscnsical in
subject matter and rather trivial
! in musicianship. w. S. Gilbert
cast aside the pride OF the author
as he referred In Pirates" TO
that internal nonsense Pima
fore" AS current information
concerning the Gilbert and Sulli-
van engagement is distributed
liberal quotations are made from
the dextTous and resourceful
rhyming. This method was pur-
sued when the Opercttas were first
produced, Mr.. Gilbert remaining
70 this day one OF the very few
theatric poets who can without
tear subject his productions 10
the test of the reading lamp.
a new school Of piaymaking SO
much in contrast to what the
present week VIII have 10 offer
continues 10 proceed. as In the
case of "BrOadWay." on the
theory that the worse IL Is the
better folks like IL. A well acted
play is almost invariably able 10
defy polite protest, and a two
week season here tor this par
ticular specimen Is renewed eyi-
dence of a numerous element OF
the public that enjoys being
treated rough"
One Of the motion picture
patrons who read the titles with
depressed audibiiity was struck by
the reference TO the "Jazz Sing
er's" vocal pathos In the line ''he
has ID tear In his voice" The
patron spoiled the poetry by pro-
nouncing IL. tear" TO rhyme with
bear"