Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-24
ADJUSTMENTS
NATIONAL PLAYERS--""The
Nirh{ran


Teona Powers received a most en-
thusiaStic welcome last evening upon
her temperance with the National
Players as their leading woman in The
Nightcap" at the National Theater
And q very cordial reception was ac-
corded Howard Miller, the new leading
man, also. for the players this week
are getting away to a new start ana
with materially modified roster OF
personnel
THE Nightcap." billed as q mystery
melodrama, by Max MARGIN and Guy
Bolton, is a theatrical compound. in
tereSting withal, through which merry
comedy. even farce at times, romps
along With the more ponderous and inn
preSsive stride of drama that on occa-
sionS becomes melo indeed. The audi
ence. however, seemed quickly to adapt
itself to the problems and TO enjoy the
thrills with real zest,
The play is finely staged, the opening
set being as handsome as any that have
been provided by Charles SQuireS this
season, and the season really has been
notable for some fine settings.
Mrs. Hubbard. the perennial favorite
of the National Players. this week. to
quote her own words. lis audience for
the first time this season. and with her
daughters thoroughly enjoyed the OK
perience Of sitting out in front.
The new leads fell quickly into posi-
ton and carried their parts eXcellcntly
throughout and this is saying much
for with the peculiar construction and
intent of the play. serious drama must
hold It's own against trying competition
with low comedy and farce. But with
fine discretion each of the players
seemed TO realize the fact and TO rise
to the occasion.
Miss Powers is an excellent actress,
and the fact was never better demon
Strated than in her role of the young
ward who is mySteriouSly and quickly
made a bride by man who is deter
mined upon ending his life the very
night Of the wedding because Of bank
shortage in which he is involved Mr.
Miller plays the role of the groom, and
he does il with dignity. adequately
adapting himself to the many changes
OF situation and incident that thorough
IL tax his ability as an actor, rather
than bidding for tho popularity of
feminine idol. which many consider the
forte Of the leading man. Both Miss
Powers and Mr. Miller give promise of
adding materially TO the dramatic
strength and efficiency of the players
MISS NaitaCP hGalu ibUIilS iIlto view
in we'll played role. that Of former
sweetheart of the groom. who has mar
ried very jealous man, but still re-
tainS her affection for her former lover.
Charles Hampden and Edward Arnold
are weighted with the duty of supply
ing the comedy leaven to the play, a
duty that is trying. no doubt, but will
be effectively discharged.
Kari Nielsen reappears as the jealous
husband. who intending 10 kill is killed
himself as the story unfolds. and Billy
Phelps IS seen in the role OF young
bit unsuccessful lover, while Robert
Brister is all there as a policeman who
is an important figure in the plot
John Shellhaas this week relieves
Dennis Connell of the role of the in
evitable minister of the gospel, and
Dana Williams, Arthur Rhodes, as a
rural coroner. and Robert Clear. with
Maurice Jarvis in the well played role
Of a butler. complete the cast.
From the volume and sincerity Of the
applause and the enjoyment shown by
last nights audience it seems likely
that THE Nightcap" is going TO score
this week the success IL won in the
metr 9polis and elsewhere quite recently,