Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-27

| season were redeemed with several
of the best and most interesting
plays of the year in Washington.
Those assurances are being re-
newed for the coming season, and
the initial efforts makes one feel
almost as if the legitimate theater
this year may reappear in fuller
glory, even here, where the NOV
ing, talking picture houses SO
abundantly share honors with the
multitudinouS filling stations that
are giving the National Capital
new glorieS in modern architecture
for the Bicentennial year. Mean
while, to be perfectly undiscrimi-
national, reports are being re-
ceived that the Messrs. Shubert
are fairly securing Europe for
drama that is drama, and they are
even limiting that Gilbert Miller.
son Of the famous Henry Miller,
in his lifetime one of the great
artists of the theatrical and pro-
ducing contingent, Is likely to
turn actor himself to help the
good cause along. With the Err
LANCER hat well within the magic
circle, accompanied by rife vol
leys of taunts about this or that
attraction to follow for the infor-
nation of the Offices OF the Shu-
bert rivals, the prospect OF a lively
fight seems likely in the competl-
ton for public favor, especially as
our local highbrows seem disposed
to turn from the talking cellulolo
for their theater and to sit In
happy anticipation, with varying
delight as the good plays continue
to arrive for their delectaLlon.
But expectations should not pc
permitted to Chamber above the
dormitory windows OF our nome
jewellers too far out into ethereal
space. Many of the plays which
will make their appearance Will
be old ones to New York, but oh,
how new to Washington! the
current seasons greatneSSes may
not be expected for some time: IL
is not yet the fashion for the Ma
tional Capital to wear all new
theatrical clothes. It is still in the
age when it must sink into the
cut-down garments OF Father
Knickerbocker, and perhaps that
Is lust as we'll, because economy
Is certainly now the order OF the
day.
THE National Theater. for the
= third attraction OF It's new
season. will serve Arch Se!WynS
production Of Private Lives" Noel
towards "smart-Set comedy" as
they describe 1t, which set Lonuon
wild, with Mr.. Coward and Ger
trude Lawrence in the stellar
roles, but has made quite as prn-
liant a record with Madge Ken
nedy and Otto Kruger in their
stead with admiring audiences IN
the metropolis. This is said to be
the first time one of the Noel
Coward plays has been. taken on
tour in the United States. AID
as the company that will appear
here viii take the play to Phila-
deluhia. Boston and Chicago, the
keen eve catches 1.-The glimmer OF
a light" and the keener ear hears
"the rustic of a wing" foretelling
the. promotion of Washington from
the roster of tank towns of the
theater, at least during the Bicen-
tennial wear. If anything more
in the way of cheer be needed to
offset the weather, although more
or less akin to 1t, in q way, last
years Earl Carroll "VanitieS" Is
poking its nose over the horizon
and ought to land somewhere In
! the neighborhood of the National
Theater the evening OF october
II. The impatient, who may yearn
for this years output, If any, will
have to go to Gotham to get their
1 wish.