Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-13
NATIONAL PLAYERs OPEN.


N.vt Monday the National Theater
Players viii begin their NTH successive
seasoY, of repertoire with the comedy OF
rarital affairs. This Thing Called
Tnve' from the pen of Edwin Burke.
with many of the old company IN the
roster and a new leading lady and lead
ing man--Miss Mary Newton ana VIII
fred Lytell-tl1e National Theater Play.
ers are prepared for one OF the longest
seasons ever enjoyed by q local roper.
toire company. They are getting started
practically In the midst OF the regular
theatrical season and hope TO run
through until the last part OF Septem-
Der.
The pIay chosen to open the new
Spring and Summer season Is faSmoneo
to captivate the fancy OF all those VINO
are married or who ever nope 10 pc
married. Edwin Burke. the author, was
4 writer Of sure-fire one-act vaudevliie
sketches. In an experience that covered
some 20 years In the theater, he found
o,It how to epitoYnize comedy situations.
In his first full length play, This
Thing Called Love- Mr.. Burke has con-
trasted one Of the ordinary marriages
with what might be called q COM
panionate marriage, and has showed
the ludicrous side Of both. His play
was a sensation In New York and is stu
on its road tour, playing now In Cni-
caro The National Theater Players
have the honor Of being the first to play
It as a stock production.
When the curtain goes up next Mon
day night such well-known favorites as
Mrs. Adelaide Hubbard, Charles Hamp-
den. Helen Wallace and others win be
seen, along with the new corners. MISS
Nancy Baker, ingenue, and Freddy
Sherman, juvenile, both OF whom nave
had extensive experience Of theater. In
the course of the season, however. most
all the old National Theater favorites
viii return.
BELASCO-"No, No, Nanette."
with Cecil Lean and Cleo Mayneld
as brilliant guest stars, Charles Elmer
son Cook has assembled q cast OF sup
porting principals for his revival OF mo,
No, Nanette," at the Belasco Ineater.
beginning Sunday evening, which, ne
beiieves. win rival the original company
IL not actually outshine it, and with no
advance in the regular stock prices.
Mr.. Lean and Miss Mayfleld VIII be
seen, respectively as the philandertng
jimmy and the extravagant and gor-
geousiy gowned Lucille, roles in which
they scored personal triumphs for
seven record breaking months in Phila-
delplaia, and in which they duplicated
their enormous success in other large
cities. This team Of musical comedy
stars have the reputation Of being one
Of the greatest box-of1ce attractions III
the country.
win play the lawyer-friend. Billy:
Frank Gallagher il cast as Tom ana
Beatrice Lee viii be Pauline, the comic
cook-a role she played In the Louise
Groody company. Renee Hamilton will
be Flora from Frisco, Thelma Parker
win be Betty from Boston and Gladys
Huntington win be Winnie from Wash
inzton. Rosa Snowden will be Sue.
Virginia Marvin, who made great hit
In the original Savoy production at the
Belasco, is coming back to sing ana
dance Nanette. There will be an extra
matinee Washington's birthday. The
box office sale of tickets will start TO-
morrow morning at o'clock.
WARDMAN PARK-"Robin Hood"
robin Hood" as q play IS the at
traction to be presented by the Junior
Theater at Wardnan Park this week
end. with three performances, a NATL
nee Friday at $3.50 and on Saturday q
matinee at 2:S0 and the evening play
ct S:i5. Since dozens Of young people
were turned away last Saturday at the
little Women" matinee. early reserva-
tions are advised, for this play Of wood
land and high adventure appeals to
the boys quite as vitality as last weeks
play did to all women.
Added to the cast will be James NC
Lain. baritone, who will sing several
songs from De Koven opera as incl
dental music. Robert CaSs, an expert
swordsman, will be the Friar Tuck, and
he will engage in spirited duel, while
there will be an archer with q pic
turesque bow some six feet long 70
bring joy to the young huntsmen OF
the audience.
Frank Arundel, who Is staging
"Robin Hood" will also play the title
role; Elizabeth Valentine Is Maid Mar
ian, Gordon Kilbourne is Dorothy. and
Louis Cruger will be Guy Of Gisburne.
while Leslie Kent, Shirley Horton and
Edward Meade are among the players
to complete large cast. Ogle, Tinnm'
Brown, Inc, promise as delight1ul
production as Sherwood Forest may
conjure.
The next play, February %, %. will
be Shakespeare's Twelfth Night"
STRAND-"Frivolities
Harry Strouse brings his new edition
Of the popular "Friyolities" to the
Strand Theater next week. Reports
from other cities on the Mutual cir
cult state that Mr.. Strouse has sue.