Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-21


vicinity; when Grace Peters johnson
spoke her little Mon petit chou"
speech, there were veritable gales Of
laughter, and when Edward c. Berry
man became his most eloquent in
the very teeth Of the Jury, there was
not person present who wasn't
mentally cheering him for his per-
Torrance.
These are but snatches of what
was what at Wardman Park last
night. The Drama Guild (which
seems to be out OF the woods with
the New York Theater Guild has
every reason to be proud of itself.
The play, which Is not an easy one
to take by the horns, was performed
in a distinctly professional manner.
The curtain-if there had been q
curtain-waS raised on the dot; the
actors showed no signs Of haphazard
make-upS, and but for a few unfor-
tunate slips Of memory (Which the
actors CLOSED over glibly enough
there was no suggestion that all
wasn't right with the world.
- II was grand, In other words, to be
able to sit back and enjoy an eve
ning's entertainment without looking
at watch or feeling that perhaps
something uncomfortable might hap
pen before the flnal curtain. There
was no Observation-Disclosures; the pace
was swift and sure, and but for a
reporter who looked extremely un-
happy while speaking his speech
there did not seem to be a sign OF
waywardneSs.
While the caSt-a distinguished
cast in the annals of this city-was
long, it needed no padding to round
1t out This Is what makes the lfu-
ture of this enterprizing organization
seem so secure. Washington Is full
to the brim of excellent actors-and
this though most of the actors wax
ing hours are devoted to other
things. Last night, for instance,
even a comparatively small bit such
as that supplied by Helen Burtain
was done to crisp. Others, too,
who contributed enormously in
small way were Dorothea Lewis,
Anne Ives, Ray G. Montgomery.
Robert Halstead, Thomas M. Cahill,
James Otis Porter and J. Minor
Dorey, with many, many besides.
The larger assignments spoke ele-
Quently for themselves. A tense,
tragic and wonderfully sincere per-
Torrance was given by Miss McKin-
ley in the Ann Harding role. Maui
rice Jarvis was stern and sometimes
sinister as the district attorney, most
capable at all times, although per-
hapS not quite aggressive enough.
Dennis z. Connell couldn't have
been improved upon, nor Mrs. john
son nor the smooth, professional role
supplied by Hester Beall. Out
standing, however, for the ease Of
his manner, the conviction of his
words. and the timing Of his diction
was Edward G. Bergman, young
actor, whose future stretches unend-
ingly before him. If he wasn't good
last night, then Hamlet never trod
a board, nor Ophelia ever took to
the bushes. He and all the others
deserve a handsome palm-which
they got. They will be at it again
tonight. You cannot afford to miss
them. You will think you are at
the National.
E. de S. MELCHER.
"The Nervous Wreck"
At Mckinley High School.
THE Mckinley High School ORA
matte Club last night presented
the first of two performances Of
THE Nervous Wreck" Owen Davis
popular farce which has much to do
with the adventures of a naive
hypochondriac.
There is nothing subtle. meta
physical or confusing about Mr..
Davis approach to the disabilities.
but his play is well adapted to anna
teur performance. With the aid of
Robert Botkin in the title role, the
large audience last evening evident
~ enjoyed all the sure-f1re humor
offered. In fact, there was much
favorable comment upon both the
authors gag approach to entertain
ment and upon Mr.. Botkin.
Dorothy Clark, as Sally Morgan,
heroine Of the tale: John Almouist.
as a dumb cowboy, and virtually
all the others of the cast gave COM
petent performances. and the seem
cry, lighting, costuming and direc-
ton were well above the average.
The second presentation of the
play will be given tonight In the
school auditorium, with alternates
IN the cast. r. B. P.
Central High
Presents "TweedIes."
"TWEEDLES," the Booth Tark-
ington play presented By Gen.
trail High Schools Drama Club last
night, lacked perhaps, a bit of the
art in acting, but proved a mildly
entertaining play. It will have its
flnal showing this evening in the
Central High School Auditorium.
The story depicts the experience
OF young man who falls in love
at seaShore village and is unable
to marry his sweetheart because of
family pride, uncovers family
black sheep" and hunbles both
families. However, "pre-war'
toast to the coming generation
brought to a close another episode
in the worlds loves.
Outstanding performances were
given by Grace Coakley as Mrs.
Ricketts,, George Myers as Adam
Tweedle and Virginia Jones as
Winsora Tweedle, Theodore Tiller
also deserves special mention, for be-
yond doubt he was the life" of
the presentation in the part of
Julian Castl6bury.
Music by the Central High School
Orchestra was conducted In fine
style. A. v. Smith and Miss Yeck,
who supervised the staging. and
Miss L. Fahrenbruck and Miss M.
GriggS, the costumes, did fine work.
Tonight's performance VIII begin
at 6:15 O'Clock. Pm. j.