Evening star., 1928-12-18
ADJUSTMENTS
NATIoNAL-"Beaux' stratagem."

Frequently, when an "all-Star" cast
is announced, there is a certain ele-
ment of fiction mingled with the facts
of the program. There are usually a
few players who, while held in artistic
respect, would scarcely be accredited
with stellar brilliancy.
The production of 1.-The Beaux
Stratagem," which arrived on the stage
of the National Theater last night,
speaks the punctilious truth in its all
star announcement. Every member of
the cast has at one time or another
held the distinction of being named on
the bill boards in lettering at least a.
foot high.
"The Beaux' Stratagem" is we'll CAL
culated to reveal, in spirited contrast,
one player after another compelled to
pause and interrupt the play until the
reception" had subsided.
The comedy presents familiar ma
terial. 1t often seems to speak with
the impetuous gayety of a Sheridan, or
with the well measured humor of a
Goldsmith. These authors have at
tanned their own originalities as they
built anew with materials which Far
quhar obtained close to their beginnings
in the art of storytelling for the early
English stage. Perhaps the folding
screen, which does so much duty in
School for Scandal" was borrowed
from Farquhar, who probably borrowed
it from previous drama
Even authors StigmatiZed as licen-
tiouS, preserved a respect for popular
estimates of moral obligation and took
pains to justify the heroine, when ap-
pearances were against her reputation
for discreet behavior, and to arrange
blisSful weddings as conclusions OF
great adventures in the tournament of
gallantrieS and Irritation.
AS for the acting:
Among SO many clean-eut and en-
phatlc delineationS it would be idle to
attempt compliment which might i'm
ply arbitrary assumption of ability to
designate precedence. One of the ir-
reSlstible charms of the presentation is
the revelation by means of an old play
OF talents which later plays have not,
according to legitimate standards re-
Fealed at their best.
Frances Starr has hitherto conveyed
an impression of almost sanity aus
terity. In this play she revels in a
Sublimation of comedy complex which
is truly joyous.
Raymond Hitchcock at one stride
across @the scene, releases himself from
his relentless record as a musical farce
SoAACAAoi dilO cIIIOllS Himself as one
who should be eligible to substantial
honors as a Shakespearean clown. OF
course, Farquhar is not Shakespeare.
Yet few things could be imagined more
cheering than a scene with Hitchcock.
as ne now plays, voicing the words of
Sir Andrew Aguecheek and TAYLOR
Holmes responding with the solemn
SottlciSmS of Sir Toby Belch. These
players are far apart in the scenes of
THE Beaux' Stratagem." Yet both are
typical of kind of stalwart fun not
easily to be regained.
shadow of regret was cast by the
announcement that Taylor Holmes
would play in place of James T. Pow
erS, whose appearance was awaited with
so much interest and who was unavoid-
ably detained by the inartistic impu-
oence OF pneumonia germ. Effort for a
flppant manner of comment is justified
by reports that the condition to which
Mr.. Powers has been compelled to yield
Is not regarded as definitely serious.
A bit of a warble ff-stage sets the
audience wondering whether there is to
be an operate Interpolation. It is
prelude to series of dialogues in which
FRITZ Scheff sparkles with all the
v1vacity of true comedienne.
The term "ingenue" is one which
gained its special meaning in old Eng
lish plays. Marie Carroll restores the
word in all its ingenious significance.
Adventures broken in fortune have
often been met WITH but few have
been more chivalrously companionable
than Wilfred Seagram in his romantic
plots, with Wallace Eddinger in the
guise of genial accomplice
Valerie Valaire had a small part
which did not seem at all small while
she was playing through brief mo-
mentS.
Henry E. Dixey threw to the winds
his merry past and played a rather
yIllainous role with dutiful seriousness,
yet not without a CLINT of satire.
Percy Ames has as the heartless hls-
band, driving his wife to other attach
ments, attachments to be so consum-
mately hateful that only the great
est respect for are could have per-
suaded him to enact it so we'll.
Brandon lyman has a delicious
brogue; John Westley is tempera-
mental expression of French dialect in
love-making Minnie Dupree is serene
ly aristocratic. Howard Kyle, William
Lorenz and S. Miller Kent each con-
tribute touches of well studied charac-
ter
One of the great pleasures Of the
play is the grace with which the cos
tunes, closely studied for correctness as
to period are worn. In addition to be-
ing a fusillade of wit, this "Beaux'
Stratagem" is panorama of beauty
PIILANDER JOHNSON.