The Billboard 1924-03-22: Vol 36 Iss 12 (1924-03-22)

1 i ; ' ' j J ant | ; ; D MARCH 22, 1924 The } dena (Calif.) Community Playhouse Association ad ‘ that interest is growing in the r rt and community theat« t * a j that tt nonprofes rs of t and a rapidly hecoming ‘ ‘ In faci, Walter Prit« 1 ronounced them the most vita! i uo Amer n drama during the wentieth « r thus far,’’ reads the report, ues a fi “(jue to ( ! d by the conference ire llow to org e a tle theater and how inet w t tere the public, bow to ktep down juctio ‘ what sort ot plays should be put on, ete. The advisability of fon a Nationa Association of Little Thesters will also b taken up. Among the speakers for this pa of the program will be Prof. E. C. Mabie, manag of the Iowa College Olr t muel J. Hume, director of the Berkeley (Calif.) Greek Theater; Alexander Dean, d ctor t wre (Chicago) heater Guild; Gilmor Wrown, director Pasadena Community Play Irving Pi chel, of the University ef California, and others Inquiry at the New York Drama League elicited the information that interest in the Little Theater Tournament to be held during the week of May 5 at a Vroadway theater yet unnamed is 80 great that some groups have already vent in registration fee, altho they had until April 5 to make this deposit. The Circle Players, an aggregation of semiprofessional thespians, presented Booth Tarking ton’s ‘‘Seventeen"’ Sunday night, March 9, at the Earl Curroll! Theater, New York, marking the euth performance this energetic group has given this season. The Circle ‘layers were organized last fall, and their specialty is putting on three and four-act plays. ‘‘Seventeen”? is the first time a digression has been made from the production of original plays, and it is thought this was done to enable some of the younger members of the group to display their histrionic talents, the Tarkington play calling for several parte to be essayed by younger people, The wellsant American comedy was given a true portrayal by the fourteen members of the Circl yers who made up its cast, and pulsated w he rural life which the author gave it under the competent direction of Murray Phillips Phillips played one of the parts ip the last act. Hanviuah Wyman, perhaps, handled her part, that of Jane, the bolster tatUle-tale little girl, better than any oti and the honors undenially » hers. Mortimer Offner, who did William r, the seventeen-year-old clap, was enjovable in his part, and with few exceptions the others did exceptionally well for semi-professionals, Carolyn Reynolds as ‘*Mrs, Baxter’? made the often-committed error of Jaughing at the risible actions of William or Jane when she should have been stern and peremptory She was miscast for the role, in a certain nse, looking more like a young lady just out of her teens than a mother of a teventeen-year-old boy, but she presents a nice nee and specks her lines audibly and y Lawrence Cohen as Genesis, the Negro ant, eked out a few laughs, but not as many as he should have, as the part furnishes unusual opportunities for comedy The next performance of the Circle Players will be given at the Earl Carrol] Theater three or four weeks hence The advisory board of the group is composed of Nazimova, Louis K. Anspacher, the } vright: Eve Le Galllenne and Frank Re ROY CHARTIEB. cher, John a being there Clements of the Thespians of Bayonne, advises that, while the beauty contest ted by that gr is doing still entries. member of a little theater is eligible, New Jersey Clements, who s Justice Bayonne, has been elected Governors of the Thespians to attend the conference in Pasadena, Calif., under auspices of the Drama League of America, May 26 to June 2. condu nicely, Any whether or elsewhere. Mr. of the Peace at by the Board of room for she resides in We are grateful for a letter from Russell, of Los Angeles, Oalif., regarding Potboiler Players, a little theater group Los Angeles, reading as follows: “Modeled slong the same lines Provincetown Players of New York City, this organization, ix its tiny playhouse down in the oldest part of Los Angeles, is rapidly gaining in prominence. Sigmund the of as the “The Potboilers’ first production is to be given March 26-27, when O’Neill's ‘Beyond the Horizon’ will be presented for the first time in this city of the ‘movies’. “Some of the most worth-while people of Los Angeles and Hollywood are striving to make the Potboiler Players the art theater of the Wes! “The | ers wish anyone visiting Los Anpgeles to « dow: the Latin quarters and Visit our uu pla Be, ‘The organizat tes the submission of manuscripts cf teur dramatists, “(Signe 4) sIGME ND RUSSELL, ‘Potboiler Players, sapnat’s FF Rim rentnn Ga 99 caters (COMMUNICATIONS TO ELITA MILLER The Mail Empire, Toronto, Can., prints the following regarding the offering of the students of the University College, that efty: “Hart House presented a gay and appearance last night, when the sfudents University College successfully staged their annual show, the ‘U. C. Follies’ The halls and corridors were thronged by a merry crowd of students and co-eds, about 1,500 in number. festive of A midway of the most approved type, a swimming exhibition by theeU. C. Swimming Club and a concert by members of the Stringed Instrument Club were among the attractions offered, while in the theater the U., C. Players’ Culld presented a rollicking farce, ‘Passion, Tuisom and Petrifaction’ or ‘The Fatal Gazogene’. “The Valley of Silent Men’, a burlesque of the usual circus gide-show, was presented by members of the fourth year, while the juniers gave a minstrel show. ‘The Frosh Giympiad’ was staged by the first year, and the sophomores contributed an entertainment by what were described as ‘probably the world’s best comedians.’ Refreshments were served in the great hall, after which the hall and gymnasium continued were thrown open for dancing, which until one o’clock. “The committee in charge of the evening’s entertainment consisted of J. D. S. Tory, chairman; J. McCulley, W. Harris, F. J. McRae, G, M. Gowdy, E. J. Bradshaw, ©. W. Stollery, k. D. C. Finch, P. Copeland, G. E. Brown and J. M. Soey.”” Aaron §£. Bishop, of the Martha Lee Players, Cleveland, 0., writes: “I notice that my name is listed as director of the Martha Lee Players. I wish to rectify that as I do not want to take credit for an honor to which I am not entitled. Samuel Bradley is the director. The address is Martha Lee Schools, Ohio Theater Building, Cleveland. The dramatic department, under direction of Samuel Bradley, has the Thimble Theater, 204." The Martha Lee Players just concluded the run of “Duley”? and will next present ‘‘The Thirteenth Chair’ seating The University Theater of the University of Iowa, lowa City, has the honor of be'ng the first group of amateurs to produce ihe New York Theater Guild production, ‘‘Lilliom’’, This production took place November 14, 1923. Other that have followed were “‘The School for Seandal”, January 15 and 16, and ‘Captain Applejack’’, February 20. “Twelfth Night’ will be offered March 26, lays The Little Theater of Dallas, ‘Belinda’, a comedy designated as an April folly in three acts, by Milne, March 4 at its little theater in Olive street. It is stated that it was necessary to extend the run of the play because of an unusual demand for seats. Tex., presented The Harlem Community Theater Organization announces that preliminary arrangements have been completed for the formation of the National Ethiopian Art Theater, Inc., devoted to the interests of the colored Race. A school to conducted in connection with the theater was opened formally at the 255th street branch of the New York Public Library March 17. Anne Wolter, 134 Carnegie Hall, New York City, is the general director. we Residents of Reading, join the Reading Community Players. This group is a division of the non-sectarian, nonpolitical Community Club, the purpose of which is to develop the spirit of community service thru the use of the property of the Universalist Pa., are invited to LENZ, NEW YORK OFFICES) Church of Our Father as community center. All revenues of the club are directed to that end. Mrs, Arthur J. Lyons, 414 North 25th street, Reading, Pa., is secretary. This group, which recently presented ‘“‘Boccaccio’s Unteld Tale’, by Harry Kemp, and ‘Lima Beans’, by Alfred Kremborg, will offer a bill of three one-act plays May 7 and §&. The plays selected ere “The Hero of Santa Maria’, a satirical comedy by Kenneth Sawyer Goodman; “The Slave With Two Faces", a fantasy by Mary Caroline Davis, and a “shocker” of the Grand Gnignol type. A full length drama will be given later in the season. To promote a better feeling of friendsh p and mutual understanding between employees of the Pacific States Electric Compan San Francisco, Calif., and to develop self-confidence thrn the study house has esta of dramatic ar this ¢ biished the Check Seal mmercial D amatie Club. Mary Asquith, play broker and literary agent, with an office at 140 West 42d street, New York, formerly an actress, directed the performance of the newly organized Little Theater Piayers of Westport, Conn., at the local Y. M. C. A. February 22, One of Miss Asquith’s plays, ‘“‘The Gray of the Dawn", was given, as well as “‘The Teeth of the Gift Horse’’, by Margaret Cameron, and ‘‘In Honor Bound’’, by Sydney Grundy. / The next offering of the Little Theater Play ers of Westport will be given immediately after Lent. “The Hoodoo”, a musical extravaganza, was the fourth annual production of the pupils of the S 10kin Dam schools, Sunbury, Pa., and was given February 29 and March 1 at the Lutheran Assembly Room. The production, which was hig) praised in The Sunbury Press, Was directed by H. Edward Culp. The Union of the East and West, 67 W. 44th street, New York City, repeated in English the classical play, *‘The Hero and the Nymph”, written in A. D, 400 by India’s great poet, Kalidasa, at the East and West Theater, March 11, 13 and 15. A Hindu dinner was arranged at the Ceylon Inn preceding the performance. The American Legion post put on @ musica! show at the February and gave the citizens of their lives’’ to qu from a the players who received honorab! Ralph A. Musselman, Judd, John Martin, Howard Edwards “ ’ at Rogers, Ark., local Opera House “the report. e mention we Leroy McGinnis, R. D. Pat Reddick, Logan Riley and <Arthur Metcalf. The chorus girls’*, whose ‘‘maidenly charms and husky voices’? were the object of playful attention in newspaper reviews, were Gene Dale Clyde MeNeil, Pat Claude Williams, Chester Daniels, Bill Cowan and Jasper McDaniels, <8 time Among ‘re te Reddick, Besil Davis, Clemence Dane’s ‘‘Will Shakespeare’? was recently given by the Drama Department of the Rome (N. Y.) Woman’s Club before a large audience. Mrs, George H. Stevens played the dual role of director and heroine. Her characterization of Anne Hathaway was the subject of favorable Helen Aurand played Mary Fitton, Elizabeth Favor Queen Elizabeth, Mrs. Frank Evang Anne’s mother, Ross Fraser Will Shakespeare, A. L. McAdam Hesslowe, George Stevens Kit Marlowe, and Margaret Clyde the page. comment, For a short Foot-Light Spot oe LIGHT SPOT, as shown, with 4% in. ft. No. 14 stage Cable frames, complete, less bulb $10.00 SPOT-LIGHTS STAGE LIGHTING APPLIANCES INTRODUCTORY PRICES time only. Cash must accompany order. OTHER STAGE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT BEASONASLE PRICES. imported lens, with slip connector, two color Order now. $10.00 BORDERLIGHT SPOT, as shown, with 4% in. imported lens, $ 25 ft. No. 14 stage Cable, with slip connector, two color 12 50 frames, complete, less buID....scesseeeeeeees petei mevsaeee bd Border-Light Spct Spct-Lights are complete, ready to light, above. less bulbs. For 250-Watt, Type G Stere ae * add $1.85 to above. : ™ New Catalog now ‘ready. For 3% in. FREDERICK A. BOHLING, 502 WEST 44th STREET Mamhee = A me YORK oe $12.50 “Duley, the Beautiful Dumbbell’, will be the spring production of the Monuntebanks Dramatic Society of Union College, Schenectady, N. Y. The college thes ns will probably give the play on the road, appearing in Rochester and Buffalo, Three one-act plays were given by English 26, Playshop, of Mount Holyoke College, in Chapin Auditor.am, South Hadley, Mass., February 29 before an audience of students, faculty and members of the graduate council. It was the second public presentation of plays written and acted by students of the course, which rims to teach thy mechanics of playwrightng’’. Three short plays, “Smocks’’, by Ednah G, Shephard; ‘“‘The Ticket Punch", by Josephine Gregory, and *‘The Basket Man", by Margaret Jay, wer riven last year. Other pieces have been produced before invited guests in the Playshop’s little theater, The oneacters offered February 20 were ‘‘Beefsteak and Bre by wning’’, by Alle Christy; “Management”, Fdnah G. She phard, w h was revived by present members of the Playshop, and “The Koppenals’’, by Maxine E. Me Bride. The last name was tl best acted of the three. In t ea giving it were Anne Hussey, Maxine FE. Me Bride, Rezia M. Rowley. Doris L. Adair and Marjorie Cook. ‘‘BReefsteak and Browning” enlisted the services of Rezia M, Rowley, Julia C, Abbe, Lide C, Elizabeth Doris I. Brannon, Maxine E, McKennon, Elizabeth Adair. Those tak! acement’’ were Elizabeth Brainard, Catherine Me Bride, Duyckinek and part In “‘ManMcKennon, Mary C. Kesh, I. June Heath, Elizabeth Heater, Frances Sackett, M. Adelaide Lehan, Evelyn Smiley, Marjorie Cook, Doris L Adair, Elizabeth Duyckinck and Lema P. Fullerton. ng Community Notes The community group just organized players in Clarksburg, W. Va., calls itself the GhurriWurri Players, borrowing the name from 8 character in ‘‘The Shepherd in the Distance’, a feature of their first program of one-act plays. “A Valuable Rival’, concerning the rivalry of two Scotch country newspaper publishers of the "90s, and “‘The Trysting Place’, by Booth Tarkington, completed the program, which was presented at the Masonic Auditorium. The players banded together as a result of a community drama institute conducted under the auspices of Clarksburg Com Dorothy Elderdice. All! were made by mem! the costumes 4vere ing classes, munity Service by stage sets for the plays of the institute, and made by the highschool sew ers The Houston (Tex.) munity Service its annual report tecreation and ComDepartment recently presented in pageant form to a large andience in the City Auditorium. The pageant Was prepared by [Fran Fox, and the prolog arranged by W. R. Wachorne. Its episodes showed the yalue of play-ground games, athletics, music and scouting as carried on by the department. The last depicting come: munity organization, was acted by the Second Ward Women's Club, It was in the form of an allegory, showing selfishness displaced by good will and work, PLAYS—DRAMAS Large list of new and standard plays, royalty and non-royalty, comedies, farces, dramas, vaudeville acts, stage monologues, specialties, minstrel first parts, skits and afterpieces; musical comedies and revues, short cast bills, new and old, for Stock and Repertoire, Boy Scout, Camp-Fire Girls and other Juvenile Plays, all in book form. Complete line of novelty entertainment books for all occasions. T. S. DENISON & CO., 623 S. Wabash Avenue, Dept. 16, CHICAGO, ILL. PLAYS PLAYS We have the newest and most attractive, as well 64 the largest assortment of plays in the world. fend four cents for our new 1 st, SAMUEL FRENCH (Ine orated 1898) Oldest play publichere in the world 28-30 West 38th Street, NEW YORK CITY. STAGE ‘ie: AGENCY 1493 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY. (Connected wie Louls Tallett’s Office and the Little heatre Service Bureau.) The Cnly Sueatees lon C omb ning Training and Engageméent, saving much of Time, Expense of School, es episode, Complete Catalogue of Modem Minstrels, Entertainments, rat ! ri Reflector and Mounting, add $2.00 * Plays, Mir s. En , BANNER PLAY BUREAU, 3 City Holl Ave., San Francisco, Cal. ram of rrick Instructions,