Evening star., 1928-12-19
>rAr,oNAI-astranre Interlude. !"

The company that comes to the Ma
tional Theater next Sunday 70 play
eugene ONeill's Strange 1nterluoe' Is
not by any means road company,
even though none of its members was
in the play when it first began itS
enoch-naaking engagement in New YORK.
instead according to the Theater
Guild. this is a specially selected cast,
and certainly such players as Paullne
Lord, Ralph Morgan, Harry 9. BannlS-
fer and Donald Mcdonald, the leading
members, cannot be regarded as me-
rior to any on the American stage
today. :.
THAT there iSp nothing to choose be-
tween the company that is to play here
at the National and the company that
has been giving the drama in New
york is being thoroughly proved TINS
week. when the company that Is 10
come to washington is supplantlng the
New York company in the John Golden
Theater, New York, for this one week.
so that the New York critics may nave
an opportunity of Judging the merits OF
both companies before the touring
troupe begins in washington the exten-
siye itinerary that will take 1t to the
Pacific Coast and back. :.
Miss Theresa Helburn, executive oi-
rector of the Theater Guild, has said
that the Strange Interlude" company
that is to come here tops the New YORK
company In many respects.
Probably no play IN recent years mas
aroused such eager anticipation as
"Stranre Irlterlude,' partly on account
of its great length that necessitates be-
ginning the performance at the novel
hour of $50 in the evening. With
dinner intermission later, partly on ac-
count of its new technique OF express
ing the inner thoughts Of the cnarac-
ters and mostly on account OF It's ora-
matically interesting story.
BELASCO-"The Gingerbread Man."
"The Gingerbread Man." most charm
inp and beautiful of Christmas fan
tastes. to be Mr.. Cooks holiday presen-
tation at the Belasco Theater, starting
SUNDAY evening, will offer youngsters an
opportunity to take their parents 10 the
theater.
This gala production, which resen1-
bles the Christmas pantomimes mace
famous at the Drury Lane Theater,
I,ondon. utilizes the full strength CT the
SAVOY MusicomedianS, with many added
attractions In the form of an augment
ed singing chorus, an especially engaged
toe ballet, spectacular scenery ana prll-
liant new costumes.
Beginning Christmas day, daily mat
inees will be given at the BeiaSco 1oI
kiddies too young to stay awake past
o'clock. It is promised that THE Cir
eerbread Man. will be treat IoT
youngsters from to 70.
In addition to Offering Eddie MOTIFS
In the title role, a part lie played W
Washington more than dozen years
ago, Renee Hamilton, who has appeared
in half a dozen or so Christmas panto-
mines in London, as Jack Horner. Bot
Capron in role so surprising \
wouldn't do to give him away, FTanR
Gallagher as Simple Simon, Thelme
Parker as the madcap Margery Daw
Edward Metcalfe, with splenolo parl'
tone voice debut, as Fudge; james
Mckay as Santa Claus and Bruce Tor
renee as the Fiery Dragon.
"The Gingerbread Man" also intro.
duces Helen Ault, the washington gir
who made hit in Honeymoon Lane,
as a principal Of Mr.. Cooks merry
makers in the role Of Princess Sugal
Plum.
Some of the enchanting song anc
dance numbers include THAT AWfu
Bogie Man." "The Fairy Dance" 'Tn'
Beautiful Land of Bon-Bon," Old Ram
eses." Queen of My Dreams" "Nur-
sery Rhymes" 1.-The Moon Song" anc
"Do You Believe in Santa CLAUSE"
There will be no advance in the pop
ulsr prices, now one Of the features a
the Belasco.
WARDMAN PARK-"One Night in
Bethlehem"
"One Night in Bethlehem" is tn
Christmas story which will be told b.
the players at Wardman Park Theate
this week for their juvenile audiences.
The aisles of the auditorium VIII b
transformed into kings highway, o.
which the village lights gleam softl
in the crisp, cold night. There Will b
a town crier on the highway, leadin
the carol singers, who sing gayly betor
the cottage windows which make par
of the staging of the auditorium.
There Is little boy In the castle Of
the hill-the hill is the stage itself
who hears the carolerS and is beSid
himself with the Joy over Christina
eve. This little boy is the hero of tn
play, for when he falls to sleep in tn
deep castle window to the far strain
of "Oh, Holy Night" he dreams a won
derful dream. The dream is that he
the little footboy of the inn, who care
for Mary and the manger on that Won
derful, eventful night. He has thrill
ing experience with the shepherds !
the fields, and another with the wis
men in the way, and the most exaltin
nne of all af the nan0ef itself afte