Evening star., 1932-11-06
The Dublin movement"
Prospers in New York
Crowds-Six Entertainments May Be Classed
Among the Early Seasons Hits
By Percy Hammond.

IN ROADWAY auditors report with
* amazement that the Irish
Players are thriving at Martin
IL Beck's Theater, a condition
hitherto unknown in their ex-
petitions TO the U. s. A. For the first
time they are enjoying the milk and
honey Of affluence, with trade good
and patrons pleased While this state
Of well-being is subject for jubilation
1t brings a note Of irony to those who
have followed the American fortunes
OF the Abbey troupe. The present COM
pany Is not Of the excellence that dis
tinguished its predecessors on these
shores, yet 1t prospers where they suf-
fered neglect. 1t may be that my re-
membrance OF Sinclair. ODonovan,
O'Rourke, Joe Ksrrigan, Sara Allgood
Cathleen Nesbit, Marie O'Neil and
others is exaggerated by recollection's
deceptive vapors. Perhaps my memories
over estimate the magic Of their acting,
the melody Of their voices and the dusk
glamour of their personalities. II So
beg such pardons as are necessary
and still insist that the Abbey Theater'S s
gold has turned to silver.
Among the numerous sacrifices
offered up by George C. Tyler to his
hckle mistress, the Drama, none has
been more expensive than his faith in
the Dublin movement" When less
conscientious ShoWmen told him that
the products Of Synge, Lady Gregory,
Yeats, OCasey. LennoX Robinson and
their interpreters were not to be sold
at profit in this market, he persisted
in importing them. He brought them
over when they were at their best and
watched them CALAMITY as they per-
formed in front Of happy, though un-
remunerative audiences. What must
be Mr.. Tyler's emotions now as he
learns that band of efficient substi-
tutes Is, as the saying goes, cleaning
up on his lost investment?
AT heart sower rather than q
reaper, Mr.. Tyler is probably content
TO see others bringing in the sheaves
from fields that he himself has planted
1t was Mr. Tyler, for instance, who
brought DuSe to America when she
was at her zenith. recall Duse per-
formance of Francesca da Rimini"
under Mr.. Tyler's auspices in Chicago
theater when the receipts were $3.50
a performance SO enchanting that
even ore unfamiliar with the Italian
tongue was bewitched by it. Years
later I saw DuSe, a beaten, cold, en-
bittered and venal old show-woman,
giving contemptuous exhibitions in New
York before delirious audiences and TO
box Office receipts beyond all dreams
of avarice. But Morris Gest was then
her impresario. not Mr.. Tyler.
~ +f*
1T IS customary at this period of the
year for drama reviewers to COM
pose a catalogue Of the best plays
available on Broadway. Conditions
being what they are, only six can be
found this season to be worthy Of the
accolade. My list may not be depend
able, for ! am a luxurious parasite Of
the stage. favored with the best aisle
seats on first-nights. and paid for sit
ting in them. I suffer none Of the
costs and few of the discomforts of
theater-going for my free tickets are
delivered to me in perfumed envelopes.
and caressing attendants meet me at
the door and usher me more or less
TO my throne. Therefore.
I am apt to be pleasantly prejudiced
on the plays behalf. seeing values in
them that are invisible to others. In
case, then, that you object to any of
the following recommendations, you
will understand the conditions under
which they are pronounced, and make
allowances for them
OF course. the finest dramatic amuse-
ment in New York is provided by the