Evening star., 1932-04-17


i theatrical world, Manager
S. E. Cochran boldly an
nounceS, for himself and his
genial co-partner, Clifford Brooke.
that the new group of National
Theater Players, "fit as a fiddle
and rarin' to CO." are ready-wet
or dry-to start another of those
remarkable repertory seasons at
the National Theater tomorrow
eTening in a charming comedy,
"a Church Mouse" by Fred and
Fanny Hatton. Unlike the advent
of the season for the national
psStime, there is never a whimper
OF an ailing soup bone," an er-
ratio tendon or an afflicted tonsil,
to mar the Joy of the occasion.
Furthermore, as the National
Players feel that they are already
vlctorS in a scramble for their
world championship, after years
and years of conscientious and
successful effort, there is neither
anxiety, nor anticipation, that
they will not easily maintain
their magnificent esprit de corps
throughout their engagement,
which, as the words flow from the
typewriter, is confidently expected
to be their biggst and their best
SUMMER stock seasons always
- have been popular in the
National Capital Indeed, many
heart-warming anecdotes might
be related of them and of proud
accomplishments by their players
in the development of a greater
aTu, it may also be, finer Ameri-
can 'theater. 1t has been an in
herent virtue in very stock COM
pany to produce one or more play
ers for a favored niche at the fam
lily flreSide of the greater portion
of their audiences, to be held as
fond memories ever afterward,
and these little household gods
not to speak irreverently-alWayS
duly venerated, have helped to
lend a charm to plays which
otherwise might easily be forgot
ten. And these little gods and
goddeSSes have climbed to the
heights beyond, many Of them,
thus more surely riveting local at
tachmentS But today belongs to
Steve, as everybody will persist in
calling him. This venture marks
the eighth successive year that
Manager Cochran has set his jaw
with grim determination to make
his own aggregation outShine all
its predeceSSorS-"on sheer merit,
as he proudly puts it. He points
with pride" to his productions"
many of them surprising the set
tingS of the New York productions
during the regular season. He re-
cites the varied talents which are
to make this years assaults upon
the popular fancy. He throws a
speaking index finger at his list
of attractions, many of which
have never seen the night lights
of the National Capital, although
they have won their spurs hands
down" in the metropolis. And
over and above all, he raises his
voice as he proclaims that never
before has Washington been
tempted with such theatrical
bargains in the matter Of adriT-
sion prices, even in the face -,
the balanced budget and the re-
turning war tax. For these who
have not been hardened by the
dramatic critics, or that Solo
monic aphorism about nothing
new under the SUM-" both Mr.
Cochran and, it is said, also his
players feel that there isn't all
earthly reason why the depression
should linger hereaboutS a min
ute longer, or the hereafter should
not be bravely faced without fear
and trembling.
OVER at the Shubert- -BelaSco,
nevertheless, bravely brushing
behind him "the wrecks of mat
ter and the crush of worlds" Man
ager L. Stoddard Taylor, still
hopeful, although with. the regu-
lar season dying on his hands,
courageously announces Another