Evening star., 1934-09-12

Talking yesterday with Broad
wayite who knows most Of the peo-
pie in show business around the town,
we sought to learn what young sooth-
sayer might be counted upon for an
intelligent analysis Of the state Of
things theatrical. At once we were
referred to Nathan Zatkin, q pub
licist whose clever ballyhoo converted
-Four Saints" from hometown pro-
duction in Hartford, Conn.,, to an en-
terprise of such press Importance that
few newspapers in New York or else
where dared leave OF the front page
stories about its opening. Editors
feared they might be set down for un-
couth zanies, unconscious Of all that
transpires in the great world Of art.
II they neglected Mr.. zathns en-
abling handouts. V S'-s -
Encouraged by the success of this
venture, Mr.. Zatkin, Mr.. Thomson,
who wrote the music for the Stein
piece; John Houseman, who directed
that production, and several other
bold spirits have organized b group
known - the Phoenix Theater, which
will put on "class" shows. It may be
bit puzzling to know that . young
man who predicts the doom Of the
commercial playhouse Is nevertheless
casting his all into an endeavor which
will defy the rules Of the game by
staging such meaty stuff as the
"Medea" Of Euripides, "Fire in the
Opera House." by Georg Kaiser; lie
Cocux Magnifique" and other works
noted more for the color Of classicism
than their popular appeal.
The explanation Is based on one
Of the most interesting ideas set in
our way as We trudged the rounds of
showdom. Mr.. Zatkin admits 1t is
true great renaissance Of all kinds
Of plays is In the ofiing this Winter.
Producers who have been alternating
for two or three seasons, or poking
their heads out into the chill critical
airs only once or twice between Octo-
Der and June, are preparing to loose
q mass of shows this season. Some
Of them have four or i've scripts ready
to be put into work. Our informant
thinks the majority Of these renovat-
ed gentlemen are going to get slapped
in the face by general lethargy of
the people. He believes they will stay
away In droves, as 1t were, and send
the revivalists- back to their cubby-
holes forever.
In rationalizing this prophecy, he
points out that New York produc-
ton requires an audience Of as 900 up
to $4,000 persons, for the small scale
layouts, and up to 100000 for the
larger, before q producer gets his
money back. He does not believe there
exists in New York sufficient class
group of patrons to supply these num-
bers. II Mr.. Zatkin is right, then a
great issue has been settled. It will
at last be obvious that the theater is
dead except as q proving ground for
Hollywood, as an Eastern post where
film stars may be taught to act and
screen writer's to write. It will be plain
that the mass audiences, the thousands
who once hocked to good legitimate
shows and made their sponsors rich
as Croesus, have been won over solidly
to the films. a..
At that point, Mr.. Zatkin claims,
the successful theater operations will
be either those plotted with an eye to
Hollywood or the group organizations
which have subscription audience
and hold it. Such Is. the Thkater
Guild, most successful Of its type, and
such will be the Phoenix Theater,, q
limited enterprise counting upon Q
select following to keep it alive.
An audience of only 10000 win re-
pay the Phoenix workers for their
pains, and II. they stage Xell thu