Evening star., 1933-04-03

The presentations included a
boiled down version of Shake
speare's "As You Like It." two
scenes from Sheridan's 1.-The School
for Scandal" and the second act of
"The Charm School" OF these, the
first was outstanding for its polish,
the second for its costuming and for
the beauty Of two members of its
cast and the third for a sprightli-
ness and coordination which was
all the more astonishing since it
was rumored that the plays had been
rehearsed only within the twinkling
OF an eye.
A general survey of last nights
accomplishments includes the fact
that Mr.. Brooke has taught his
pupils how to speak; how to use their
hands (witness Lila La Garde); how
to control the voice witness Louise
Harrison Gwynne); how to make the
most of a long speech John Sikken
was splendid proof of this); how to
be sly, impish and Zelma O'Neal-ish
maxine Doyle takes bow for this);
how to be funny (Bernice Bartl was
ace high, and how generally to be
an actor Theodore Tenley was one
of the better proofs of this). The
only thing that Mr.. Brooke forgot
to teach his pupils was-how to
dance minueti
If "As You Like 1t" was the best
Of the evenings theatric fare, this
was due to the charm given the
role of Rosalind by Miss LeGarde
"a born actress, who has pur-
suasive manner which brings the
audience literally up and to her
feet; to the way in which John
Sikken recited his "All the Worlds
a Stage; to Virginia Dyer's wit,
and Marshall Baggett's William;
and to the way in which Howard
Whitfield "clowned" and the rest
of the cast gave contrast by its
dignity Of bearing and smoothness
Of speech.
Less effective was 1.-THE School
for Scandal" perhaps to a
badly nassacred script. However,
In spite of the fact that Maud
Howell Smith, one of Washing
toms real actresses, was shovelled
off into a small part, there was
consolation in the marked beauty
and sureness of manner which
characterized Louise Harrison
Gwynn's Lady Teazel, and to the
professional and flawless perform
ance turned in by Theodore Tenley
as Sir Peter Teazel. The minuet at
the end of the play was one of
those things you dream about-the
gentlemen Of the ensemble looking
as though they were about to
wrestle King Kong.
'"The Charm School," Alice Duer's
Miller's little comedy Of man who
finds himself suddenly at the helm
OF q girls school,. was treated light
ly and brightly by one Of Mr..
Brooke's better casts. The surprise
of the evening was Maxine Doyle's
studying of physical geography"
and the way In which she doomed
out lusty "any kind of man
would do mel" Although Miss
Doyle was unable to refrain once
or twice from tucking her hands be-
hind her back and looking as
though she were about to burst
into a sweet Earle Theater THANK
you," she was gay and pretty, and
so sure Of herself that she seems
destined to be particularly effec-
tive comedienne If some one will
only let her.
Others In the cast who were out
standing include the pleasantly
Zasu Pittsian Bernice Bartl-funnier
by far than any one else around;
Alice Green, who spoke her lines
surely and well; Romaine Stevens,
who seems thoroughly versed in the
way of the theater; Charlotte Mayo,
who is handsome and eager, and
1sham Keith, young man who
should certainly turn his thoughts
to Broadway Il believe he has al
ready)-being one Of those rare
things-a juvenile who can act.
All in all, what with only occa-
sional echoes from the prompter, and
make-ups which were as good as