The New York Clipper (December 1919)

December 31$: 1919 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER l? (MM HOPKINS DESERVES PRAISE FOR DOING "THE NIGHT LODGING*' "THE NIGHT LODGING." A real- istic play In four acts from the Rus- sian of Maxim Gorky, translated by Fanla Mindell and presented by Ar- thur Hopkins at the Plymouth Thea- tre. Monday afternoon, December 22, 1919. CAST. Michael Ivahov Kostilliov William E. HaUman VasBllisa Karpovna..MlBs Gllda Varesl Natasha Miss Eva MacDonald Medvladev Charles Kennedy Vaska Pepsi........... -Alan Dinehart Kleetch Andray Nitrich. .Hans Robert Anna,..,..... Miss Rosalind Ivan Buhnov „• Cecil Yapp Kvashnla Miss Lllllsn Kingsbury Naatla Miss Pauline Lord Satin.. Edward G. Robinson Actor ....Edwin Nlcander Baron ..Cecil CloveUy Luka W. H. Thompson Aloyshka. E. J. Ballantlne Krlvol Zob Loots Alter Tartar Alexis M. Pollanov HELD UP IN PARK Louise Vanderbilt, of the cast of "Roily Boley Eyes," was beaten and robbed last week by a taxi driver, whose machine she had hired to take her home. She was on her way from a Christmas eve party and hailed the taxi. At the en- trance to Central Park, the driver assault- ed and robbed her. She received a wound in the head in addition to several minor bruises, and waa robbed of $20 in cash and a rope of pearls. "BABY BLUES," NEW COLORED SHOW, HAS SNAP, MUSIC and COMEDY "Night Lodging" might Just as well have been called "Human Wrecks." so replete is It with living derelicts whose very souls seem to be exposed In this grim piece, in- : deed, it is a play hardly designed to tickle the fancy of the average theatregoer. For it depicts nothing more nor less than the quick mental anguish, for the moat part, of a Russian motley aggregation of persons who have sunk to the lowest dregs In the human 'scale. Nothing matters to these lost souls who come to sleep In the filthy lodging; conducted by Michael Ivanov Kostiliov and his wife. VassUuta Karpovna, the former a ruthless and equivocal individual ably played by William E. HaUam. and the latter a schem- ing and amorous wench played with re- markable subtlety by the always Interesting Gllda Vareal. Thieves, lovers and tipplers an, they are living" from day to day and spending: their lives In the unhealthy murk . created-by their own mode of living. They- have nothing of worth to look forward to. In some cases their pasts portended some- thing better than the state In which we find them, but that has all been swept away by the apparent bitterness Of existence. There Is no plot, as such, in this play. But It has something more than a mere sequential story; it is a drama of soul analysis, perhaps the, highest form of drama, even though to witness It may not be 1 pleasing to- the' multitudes. The Rus- sians have a way of telling, living and writ- ing the truth that is not designed to curry favor with certain other nationalities. Gorky knew -the- people about i whom he wrote; of that there can be no doubt. '. And it Is quite evident that Fanla Min- dell. who designed the settings in "Night Lodging," is familiar with Gorky, Russian life and literature in general, and how to stage a 'play artistically. For. the lodging 1 house interior Bet' is about as artistic a bit ■ of stage designing as we have seen in the theatre in recent years. It seems to lend just the proper atmosphere to the grim realties that take place. The lighting ef- fects, too, are remarkable. The cast chosen by Arthur Hopkins to enact '-'.Night Lodging'.', is uniformly good. The various roles are difficult to handle, but, just the same, they are handled wen. Allan Dinehart, as a 'thief,; gave a sterling' per- formance and W.,,H.>'R»Qn>pson,>a» a patri- archal Russian wanderer, spreading the gospel of belief, performed with, dignity- and inteUlBenc* • and deserves-special mention fdr his acting. Eva MacDonald (Mrs. Ar- thur Hopkins) gave a. convincing' perform- ance: Lillian Kingsbury, Pauline Lord and Rosalind Ivan handled their roles accept- ably. Alexis M. Pollanov, Louis Alter, E. J. . Ballantlne, Cecil Yapp, Edwin Nlcander, Cecil CloveUy. Charles Kennedy and Hans Robert also gave good accounts' of them- selves. "Night Lodging" Is the first of a series of Russian plays which Arthur Hopkins in- tends to produce and present .at the Plymouth Theatre. The plays win be shown in the afternoon of the days they are scheduled for. The first one is a definite contribution to the drama and Hopkins is to be commended for his willingness to produce this extraor- dinary play, which he knew would not en- tice extensive patronage. "LIGHT OF WORLD"" COMING Of "Tie Light of the World" win be pre- sented' by - Comstock and Gest at the Lyric, January 5. It is a drama in three acta by Pierre Saiason, adopted by Guy Bolton ami George Middlcton. "The Hose of China," now in tile Lyric will go Into toe Central ~ ^STZ'. ".._ . " _'." "BABY BLUBS"—A musical comedy In three acts and eight scenes; book and lyrics by Alex. Sogers, music by C. Lackey th Roberts. Presented by the Quality Amusement Corporation, E. C. Brown, president and general manager, at the Lafayette Theatre, Monday afternoon. December 22. -tttsV * '* THE CAST. "Wash" "Dink" Stewart 'Baby' Ids Brown "Mama" Lavlnla Rogers "Zid" ."Jim" Bonis "Addle" .Lena fianford Roberts Webb Grayson Charlie Woody DOseyDorsey Bstelle Cash City Directory Man, Cop, Doormen at Arcade Han AI. F. Watts The Reverend. .'Percy Colston Bertha ......: .Lottie Harris Mertha ". ...BUda Webb Wertha Theresa West Thug Jesse Pucnell "Granny" Wadson Alex. Rogers Friends of Lou, 'Wash," etc.: Misses Lewis, Mitchell, Boyd, Trimble, Bum- mers, Simmons, Shaw, Crowder. Car- rey, Dover, Tillot, Day. Jackson, Overton. Johnson; Messrs. ' Mason, Pnrchell. She!ton Colston; C H. ■Williams, T. Williams, O'Cause, Courtney, Caldwell, Shelton, Cos- telle There's a world of merriment in this musical concoction of the Messrs. Rogers and Roberts. In fact, there's so much fun in the piece, and the story moves so swiftly. that Roberts' catchy lass strains scarcely have aa opportunity of making the Impres- sion they" should. On' the other band, it may be dne to the smallness of the orchestra, there being not more than nine women play- ers, each of whom is capable. of. playing several different instruments if ^»'01'»d upon to do so, that the score falls to receive the "play" it would get If the show were pro- duced on Broadway. ODe thins is certain, "Baby Blues" proves conclusively that-"Dink". Stewart Is a most spontaneous comedian. Everything he says Is funny, and his humorous manner of articulation IB such that It evoked all sorts of laughter from the audience. And Just so long as he was on the stage, "Baby Blues" was uproariously funny. But when he was away, there was none among the colored ag- gregation that comprise the cast who could Inject as much pep and go into the piece as he did. In a word, his personality seemed to dominate the whole show. Such plot as there is In the piece, con- cerns the exploits of "Wash" Wadson, played by StawWt, who suddenly ''eotaeSUM* the possession of a huge bankroll. . He wins and marries "Baby'' Darling, neatly played by Ida Brown, and it is around his efforts to settle down and live the life of a colored gentleman of means that all the other situa- tions are built. The niece carries quite a cast of principals and chorus. The costumes sre characteris- tically tawdry, as are also the settings. Sat. taking one consideration with another, the show may he said to have been acceptably (aged. Alex _lex. Rogers, who used to write th* Will- lams and Walker shows fifteen years ago, be- sides being tht author of the book and lyrics, played the part of a colored granny in an easy and affable manner. Lena Saaford Roberts has the best vocal tones of any of the players and, for the rest, there Is noth- ing much to be said favorably about the sing- ing or dancing ability of the cast. " That they were all responsive to rhythm goes with- out saying. Two numbers, in particular, have especial merit by reason of their syncopated catchi- ness. These are "Baby Blues" and "Rock-a- By-Baby Blues," the latter being the most worth while of the two. "Baby Blues" will play here for two weeks, and then be sent on a six weeks' tour of the circuit of colored theatres established within the past year by E. C. Brown and his ■BjsesJssss In the main. "Baby Blues" If a high-class colored musical show. "FORBIDDEN," WAR PLAY,., HAS BOTH NOVELTY AND FRESHNESS "FORBIDDEN"—A romantic play In three acts by Dorothy Donnelly. Presented by George Mooser, at the Manhattan Opera House. Saturday evening. December 18, 1819. THE CAST. General Sloeum. .William E. Ear court Major Richard Flint—George Connor Major Alexander Osgood. .Ben Tsggart Captain Tottenham Knowles, John Rutherford Captain William Bryant. John MeKenna Lieutenant John Booth Lawrence, Richard Barbee Lieutenant Edwin Rrice..Henry George Lieutenant Luke O'Keef e. .Nolan Leary Lieutenant Vincent Moretti, Walter AbeR Private Isaac Levy Harry Bhutan Private Darwin Bone.. .Harold Salter Humboldt Feather Joseph Dunn Anton Roonje David Proctor Count Robert von Eckdorf, _ - William Bailey Kurt Schwsrts John BurkeU An Orderly..............Arden Pare Josef Herman Gerold Conn teas von der Verde. Martha Hedman Countess Ermlntrade..Clalxe Msrsereaa Coatees Waada, Georgia Lucile Mooser Carmen Flanagan Hermlne Shone Katchen .- .Annette Westbay In "Forbidden," Dorothy Donnelly has- written three acts of uncommonly fresh and entertaining episode of the occupation of the Bhlneland by American troops. The play contains novelty something that is unex- pected in these days of war plays. Most of the humorous possibilities connected with the sojourn of the A. EL P. on French soil have been exhausted,, so It Is only fitting and proper that we should have a play in which the dramatic conflict binges about Incidents connected with the occupation of hostile ter- ritory Bases la guerre. The play-alms to tell what, in essence, is a love story, which, although not a very un- usual tale, makes it appeal strongly to Yankee price by the spirit of magnanimity and chivalry which is stressed between the lines. To this spirit, the piece owes the cordial reception at Its first performance. The three acts are laid tn the great baU of an ancient German castle near Coblens. its chatelaine, a young countess, bereaved by the war, fears and resents at first the in- trusion . of the American brigadier general and his staff, who quarter themselves In her ancestral home, which still contains, in hiding, her cousin. He Is a JuDker lieuten- ant, who Is plotting with agents in Holland to put the German Crown Prince on the throne. But the chivalrous consideration of the Americans, the mixture of efficiency and good nature with which they go about their work, and, especially, her growing affection for the young captain, who is the general's aid .gradually overcome her hatred and lead her finally to justify the confidence they have placed In her by warning them of her couBln's conspiracy. Then comes a stumbling block In the countess* romance with the American cap- tain. At Soistons he had killed a young Ger- man ofllce who bad just shot tbe American brigadier's only son and the German happened to have bear, the countess' brother. This disclosure, the author Intimates in the play, will not end the romance of the captain and his .enemy-sweetheart; tt only.delays it and ' relieves a , ver yawkward predicament into Which Miss Donnelly has led her characters. " Martha Hedman was excellent as the countess. Richard Barbee, as the sasTjsfjfsfJ fiance, played bis part with a dear under- standing of dramatic fitness, and there were good character bits by Joseph Dunn, Herman Gerold, Hermlne Shone and William . Bar- court. BED1NI SHOW FALLS SHORT ' "Twinkle Toes." the new rem* at Reisen- weber's, out on by Jean Bedim, and adver- tised to .foe on a par with the leading Broad- way musical productions, turned out to be nothing more than a "falr-to-mlddllng" cabaret when a so-called dress-rehearsal waa staged for the restaurant's guests on Christ- mas Eve. Although advertising a cast of forty theatrical favorites, ss a matter of fact there were about twenty persons. Including the chorus girls, in the revue. Tbe musical score for "Twinkle Toes" was written by I. B. Kornblom and Zacb Myers, and contains a number of songs simple la theme and quite reminiscent of hits of tht past. It was said that "Twinkle Toes," being unable to obtain a Broadway theatre on ac- count of congestion, opened at Relsen«reber*B, instead. After seeing It. It Is easy to con- jecture why it failed to flnd~Toom on Broad- Giving credit where credit Is due. Danny Hesley seemed to work overtime to pull the thing through. He saag several numbers wan sad put pep into the proceedings with his original and nifty dancing steps. But on* man cannot snake a revue and. save for Hesley. and a team of contortionists, Eary and Eary, the revue was never above ordinary. A chorus number started things off. after which the Claire Twins rendered their accor- deon specialty, using, la tbe medley of their song numbers, many tunas that have seen the S b e st days. Denny Healer fO P swe d with, his song and dance, after which came Frances Arms, who sings blues numbers no better and no worse than a thousand of her "blues" lis- ters. A song, "My Garden of Memory,** closed the dm hair. A chorus of "Heart" girls opened the second half and were followed by Eary and Eary. A Japanese number came next, and a dancer was featured whose steps rraggested Fetrograd rather than Tokio. Then a screen was dropped down and the lyrics of all th* song hits were flashed upon it, tn turn, for the audience to sing. The ana! song, "Twins** Toes," followed. ; ' One very bad feature of the revue Is that the work of the persons la It cannot alsray* be seen by the duets, and some of the most effective dance steps were lost because tbsr/" requlred the performer to assume s crouching position, which made tt hnpossibl* for thee' audience to see him. ' 3 Walter James, a monologtst, acted as master of ceremonies. What he said may hay*. been funny, but the rattling of gla sses, china? and silverware killed it. and his entire talk, was lost in the babble of noise and voices. •: s. h \i \i "THE WHIRLWIND" NOT WORTHY OF AGUGUA'S "THE WHIRLWIND." A melodrama ! In four acts and live scenes by • George C. Heseltno sad. Bitter - Brown, founded on the novel of the ■■ same name by Brown. Presented J by John Cort at the Standard The- : aire, Tuesday evening, December 23, . 1010. CAST. Juan Ramon Jacob Klngsberry Bosita ....'., MaxguerttOUsssr Dona Fernandas Helen Tracy Bessie Van Ashton..Vlvlenne Osborne Mrs. Forest Rose Coghlan Colonel Van Ash ton... ..Oswald Tork* Blanche Lennox .Fanla Shay Bob Carlton. Joseph Sweeney Padre Antonio Frank Andrews Dick Yankton John C King Don Felipe Ramlres—John Davidson Chlquita ..i Mm*. Mbnl Ar Captain Forest Orrin Jo Jus Blake...........John Harrington jnana Jessie Vuntrs Marlqulta ..Vsrlsm Be " Whits Cloud. Dan Red i Poncho Bank r Tula Virginia: TO TOUR SOUTH AMERIC A A company of eighteen American opera singers get sail last week for Cuba, where they will tour for eight weeks prior to an extended tour of the South American cities. Grace Goodwin, Alice Clark, Mary C. Msrirhsm , Augusta M. Hirsch, Roberto Vigialiano, Clandio P. Bodrigu ez, who was accompanied by his wife. Bianco S. Weas- har, Domingo Ktmnec, Edwin W. Ungust, Anna Anderson, Laura Allen and bar sis- ter, Agnes Allea. Ethel White, Ignea Cae- tello and Louise Craven are among those in the com p any. Among; the cities that wtR be c o v er ed on the tour an Bio de Janeiro, Buenos Ayres end Montevideo. Perhaps the only Incident of interest con- nected with the presentation of "The Whirlwind" was the debut of lima, silwit Agnglla as an English-speaking actrssa. ami, AgugUa cam* to this country several seasons ago with the Sicilian Players, aad from time to ttm* has appealsd with g ro up s) of Italian actors. The play itself Is a disappointment.- It savors of dime novel melodrama of yestar- day and Is entirely unsulted for the sophis- ticated public of today. It is a pity that Mme. AgugUa should have each a vehicle. She has ssasssM her English so wen that she speaks with laes accent than an American actress would US* tn a similar character. She plays with a vigor of expression and emotional strength that characterises her as an artist of the first water. Orrin Johnson was th* Ameri- can hero. Rom Coghlan was his mother and John Davidson the villain. ^J^ p J&SfefLry° wta s*!L®' the prean agsnta. -The Whtrtwlnd" liBut a anst ■