Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 233, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 February 1929 — Page 6

PAGE 6

POPULAR PRICED SHAKESPEARE WILL SHOW AT ENGLISH’S

‘Dollar Top’ Feature of Three-Day Engagement Next Week; ‘Macbeth’ Will Be Presented at Murat: ‘Good News’ Has College Cast. YOU can have your Shakespeare this season for one dollar at your favorite theater and sit in the best seat on the main floor. That fact was broadcast today from the English, where Fritz Leiber, with a distinguished cast, will play a three-day engagement beginning Thursday, Feb. 21. It long has been Mr. Lieber's wish to be able to put the classic within the reach of the many. This season he has had an opportunity to experiment with the “dollar top - ’ price, which has proved tremendously successful in the cities tried. It was the price that made their engagement of nine weeks in Cleveland, 0., so successful.

It is pointed out also that the plan is being accomplished without lowering the quality of the company or production; in fact other cities this season report that the Leiber organization is better than ever. The added volume in patronage isold-out houses being the rule) at the popular price of a dollar made the scheme feasible. Shakespeare long has been considered the joy of the rich and the inspiration of the poor. But unfortunately Shakespeare in the theater too often has been priced and sold fceypnd those of modest means. It is a recognized fact that the great middle class and thg so-called proletariat form the vast public, which for one reason or another, accord the Bard a most cordial welcome when their purse will permit. ■she Leiber organization were highly gratified to find that while at the popular price of a dollar their revenue was scarcely increased, yet a greater number of people who love the theater and the classics were able to attend their performances than formerly . The new departure created quite a stir in theatrical managerial circles. It was commented on editorially by the press of the country. It gave those who have been trying for the last few years to cry down theater prices something to think about. For the local engagement the following play bills will be offered: “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Taming of the Shrew-,” in modern dress.

‘MACBETH” WILL BE AT MURAT George C. Tyler's epoch-making production of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” will play at the Murat theater for an engagement of three days commencing March 21. The brilliant stellar cast is headed by Florence Reed as Lady Macbeth, Lvn Harding in the title role and William Barnum as Macduff. Fred Eric will be seen as Banqtio and Douglas Ross as King Dunes a. Others prominent in the cast are Percival Vivian, Olive Oliver, Leonard Mudie. William P. Carleton, Bryan Hughes, Harold Hartsell, Burford Hampden, Gerald Lingard, Arthur Barry, Harold Thomas, Frank Holman, Tom Manning, George Macready and many others. This is anew ‘Macbeth.” The novelty is provided in the “designment” by Gordon Craig, the distinguished continental artist who is regarded as the outstanding figure in the world's theater. It is by far the largest Shakespearean production ever staged in America. So AMUSEMENTS

STARTING TOMORROW ALL NEW New Scencrv—New Wardrobe NEW MUSIC NUMBERS BIGGER—FASTER—FUNNIER ENTIRE NEW CAST THE "WHOOPING WHOOPIES" FEATURING PAUL WORKMAN The Comedian Without Peer “CHEATING PAPAS” Note—Tues. Kite Garter Nite Thurs. Nite Chorus Girls' Contest MIDNITE SHOW lONITE II P. M. Prices Mat., 15c; Nites and Hoi., 25c. COLONIAL

M 111 ■■■■■ ll i e iMis ill mi wiviv ■ %#inik BURLESQUE THEATRE DIRECTION OF MUTUAL BURLESQUE ASSN. OF NEW YORK HELLO, EVERYBODY! I’LL BE WITH YOU BEGINNING WITH THE MATINEE FEB. 17th With A FAST, SNAPPY and PEPPY SHOW THAT OUTDISTANCES PREVIOUS SUCCESSES LENA DALEY THE ORIGINAL “PEP GIRL” OF BURLESQUE WITH STEP ALONG ' %]§ ■v- ft• AND THEY CERTAINLY DO “STEP ALONG”

tremendous an undertaking is this I tour that it would not be possible except for the fact that it can be shown in the largest auditorium with capacities that permit a scale of popular prices that are within ihe reach of all lovers of the best in dramatic art. There is pomp, pageantry, poetry —the winds of the Scottish border, the wail of the pibroch, the .clash cf the claymore, the march of Highland men, witches’ music and choral features; trumpeters, pipers, singers, troubadours, tumblers in the Ghosts’ banquet; color and movement and beauty on a scale commensurate only with grand opera. One hundred people are used in the presentation. For the first time a great Shakespearean play is presented with the dramatic action stresseu by a tempo faster than that of the old school, yet preserving all the poetic beauty of the play. Play, players, scenic and costumic designment and music represent all that is best in the arts of the theatre.

As the supernatural element is so predominant in “Macbeth,” Craig in his designment. has suggested as far as possible the occult power of the weird sisters. His effects are obtained as largely through lighting as through physical form and architectural treatment in design. This presentation is considered as the greatest achievement in the longcareer of George C. Tyler, who has successfully presented such notable spectacles as “The Garden of Allah,” “Joseph and His Brethren” and such all-star revivals as “The Rivals,” “Trelawny of the Wells,” “Diplomacy” and “She Stoops to Conquer.”

MANY COLLEGE MEN IN “GOOD NEWS" It is not just a coincidence that there are so many college graduates in the company presenting “Good News,” the new musical comedy with the collegiate atmosphere and background, which Schwab and Mandel bring to English's, starting Monday, Feb. 25. It is rather by design of the producers. When Schwab conceived the idea of producing a musical comedy whose story should deal with campus activities, including athletics, fraternities and sororities, he realized that the work of contributing the various elements that go to make up a production of the kind could best be done by persons thoroughly familiar with the subject matter, not only through reading and indirect contact, but through actual college experience. When this part of the contemplated production was completed, Schwab and Mandel further realized that the show could best be put across by actors and singers who, havinghad the same experience, could best enter into the spirit of the piece. These were obtained, and the instantaneous success of “Good News” is proof of the producer’s wisdom. Schwab, a graduate of Harvard, decided to write the book and lyrics himself, with the aid of B. G. De Sylva. a graduate of the University of California, and Lew Brown, another university man. As the composer of the music, Schwab and Mandel, the latter a graduate from Leland Stanford university, chose Ray Henderson, also from Leland Stanford. Hendemn having written some peppy numbers, the producers looked around for the proper orchestra or band to play them in the way of the spirit of the piece called for. The decision was in favor George, Olsen’s famous band. When it came to the selection of

1— Virginia Bronscn and Fritz Leiber in a scene from “liamlct” to be presented at English’s starting Feb. 21. 2 Thurston, the master magician, who will be seen at English’s the week starting March 4. " —Joy Brothers and Gloom, an act to be seen on the Lyric bill for the week starting Sunday.

the cast, the producers considered it very important that a college man, preferably a college athlete, should be picked for the role of Tom Marlowe, star football player at Tait university, a co-ed institution, whose campus forms the background of “Good News.” They found the actor w'ith all the requirements in the person of Max Hoffmann. Jr., graduate of Cornell university. For the role of Charles Kenyon, the professor of astronomy at Tait, that splendid actor George Schiller, graduate of London university was selected. And so it went, a college man or girl, wherever it was possible. There are no fewer than sixteen college graduates among the men of the chorus, representing Yale, Harvard, Penn., Boston Tech., Columbia and other great institutions, and among the girls in the chorus there are twelve who possess college degrees, some from Vassal- and some from other well-known institutions of learning. Being a college play, there are of course all varieties of students from the very fresh freshman to the staid seniors, and the usual assortment of pretty girls always found in small college towns. And there is the usual football game for the hero to win—which, by the way, he doesn't and thereby hangs the difference between this and other college plays —with its coach and cheer leaders ’neverything. There are plenty cf laughs throughout the whole piece in addition to tuneful melodies which somehow linger in the mind, and the most graceful, hoydenish, swiftest, youngest and prettiest dancing chorus ever assembled on one stage. 0 Bob Connolly trained that chorus, too, so ’nuf sed. The cast is made up of men and women who are known as capable actors and singers, including Will Ahern, Max Hoffman Jr., Margaret Breen, Jerry Downes, Peggy Bernier, Joseph Allen, Katharine Morris, Dorothea James, Barry Walsh, George Schiller, Edwin Michaels, Ralph Sanford, Gene Sheerin, John McDonell, George Olsen’s famous band, and the chorus of Fifty Flapper Freshies. The costumes are unusually tasteful and devoid of the prevalent cheap color schemes, pleasing to the eye of a connoiseur. tt n n THURSTON IS A WRITER TOO. Thurston, the magician, wields a pen as well as a "wand. During his vacation this summer he completed his autobiography, which will be

AMUSEMENTS

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Comedy on Variety Bill Next Week Eleanor Hicks and Chester Ciute in Sketch at Lyric. A CLEVERLY conceived farce, lx. “ph a nk You Doctor,” with Elenor Hicks and Chester Clue, will be the feature vaudeville attraction on next week’s bill at the Lyric. The skit is built on humor possibilities. A mental specialist interviews a pseudo sister of an unwitting patient who implores him to treat her “brother” a monomaniac, who is obsessed with the idea that he has been robbed of a valuable string of pearls. During the temporary absence of the doctor and the nurse, a jewelry salesman arrives with a string of pearls on approval for the doctor’s “niece,” who is trapped in the house with her spoils. Complicated and amusing situations

published during the winter. Also he did some work on his pet hobby —a life of Cagliostro, the greatest of all the charlatans in history. For work Thurston has been collecting material for the last fifteen years. Two years ago Thurston published in Collier’s and the Saturday Evening Post, a series of articles on his experiences as a wizard. Thurston’s daughter, Jane, is this season co-starring with her father and comes to English’s the week beginning Monday, March 4.

rrsp I THAHXYOii, DOCTOR JOY BROS. & GLOOM \ Mj “A Cleverly Conceived Farce” in “Foolies of 1929” k f RUSSELL & FIELDS WALTER WALTERS \ Wfc in “Get the Idea” in “The Baby’s Cry” f FRANK J.SIDNEY WILLIE MAUSS J Wfi- “A Sportsman’s Garden” Presenting “The Death Wheel” Hr 9 H J v -

4 Lena Daley, one of the company of “Step Along,” the week's burlesque attraction at* the Mutual beginning Sunday. 5 Bonnie Lloyd, a member of the cast in the new show opening at the Colonial Sunday. 6 Margaret Breen, who will be seen in “Good News” at English's for the week starting Feb. 25.

Makes Record Dolores Del Rio, the Mexican film star made a record disc from a distance of 3,500 miles, using the simple telephone process as means of transmitting her voice into the master disc.

throughout the act make the offering a humorous skit. The bill will include: Willie Mauss World’s champion bicycle rider, will give one of the most, daring exhibitions of cycle riding ever seen on the Lyric stage. His act. entitled “The Death Wheel,” is a short and Snappy number, in which Mr. Mauss rides his bicycle around a huge wheel going in the opposite direction. The act is not only one of daring but is also one of color. Walter Walters and Company— An amusing ventriliquial skit placed in the tropics, in which he uses three dummies, working two while his partner manipulates the other. So accomplished is he that it seems that all figures can talk at once, while drinking does not hamper their vocalizing. Joy Brothers and Gloom—Cavcrt

SUNDAY NIGHT AT 3:15 INDIANAPOLIS OPEN ‘ FORUM Dr. Will Durant Subject “Is Demo®s?ay a Failure?” Kirshbaum Center Meridian at 23rd ADMISSION 50c

AMUSEMENTS

in a riotous fashion, first appearing as a pair of bums, then as Chinese and finally as Keystone Cops of movie fame. ‘Frank J. Sidney and Company— Frank Sidney is a high jumper, presenting an attractive production called “A Morning in a Sportsman's Garden,” in which he is assisted by Zillah. Russell and Fields—A comedy team presenting “Get the Idea.” On the Screen—Once again a girl is the cause of a conflict that has brought death. Two of the mightiest gangs of San Francisco’s underworld are at each other’s throats for the love of a siren of Frisco’s Barbary coast. Olive Borden is the girl; starring in FBO's underworld “Gangwar,” feature picture for the week. She has the role of a little dancer for whose love two great gangster bands fight to the bitter end. It is the story of a girl raised on the very docks of Frisco and robbed of every decent chance in life. The love of a gangster king, yet she had little chance to be anything else, and in a stirring climax this love of hers causes even her gangster husband to become a man, willing to seek death beneath the roaring guns of his

enemy and clear the way for the man she loved. Jack Pickford and Eddie Gribbon head the remainder of the cast which was directed by Bert Glennon from a story by | James Ashmore Creelman. To Make a Talker Maurice Chevalier, gifted idol of the Parisian stage, will have Sylvia Beecher as his leading woman In his first Paramount talking picture, “Innocents of Paris.” Miss Beecher, well known as a screen player, is at present appearing on the stage in San Francisco as the leading lady in •Ernest Pascal’s “The Marriage Bed.” Richard Wallace will direct. Action at Sea The entire action of “Strange Cargo,” Pathcs first all-talking picture, takes place aboard a palatial yacht at sea. The feature was originally titled “The Missing Man,” the name by which it was known when it was presented on the stage in Europe.

Ton ay ' 11 ' VOOI>B ' PRICES ° A T THE TRIAL OF NIGHT MARY DUGAN FMfil IQH’S FEBRUARY 21-22-23 kllUhiVll W MATINEE SATURDAY FRITZ LEIBER IN THE PLAYS OF SHAKESPEARE HU A EUI I FT’' "A notably sweet and lovable pnneo I I bathed In a mood of melancholy that vu profoundly poetic."—John Corbin, New THURSDAY NIGHT v ork Times. (i M m /> EJtTTUH "Or lhc three Macbeth* this Jostling season 1V1P21w53&, I II bar met—Fritz Leiber, Lionel Barrymoro and Walter Hampden—Mr. Leiber was. all FRIDAY NIGH’U told, the best."—Alexander Woolllcott, l ivixr.ij. Jiuni Dramatic Critic, New York Times. AID/’MIKB cr\ A Rid "No young actor or Shakespeare bring* fiWIVP tC/ i\HU such qualifications to hi* task. He burns with an ardor no other actor re'eal* on II 11 I IfTH the stage today, a whirlwind Os pre*lve JULIE. ! action and moving passion.”—Lawrence Reamer, New York Herald. SAT. MATINEE HT A A/! I i\l sn C\ XT "Fritz Leiber and company'* performanoa I HmllYu Ur of "Taming of the Shrew" has more real fun than any one of a dozen of our *o- (? called modern comedies."—New York Re(ln Modern Dress) "Fritz Leiber is the best Interpreter qt Shakespeare on the American stage."-* SATURDAY NIGHT Geo. -Jean Nathan, Editor American W*Tcary. Prices 50c, 75c, sl.oo—Seats Monday 1 ENGLiSH’S i WEEK BEG. EYE. AT 8:IS fe°r'2s si, $3.00 [ORDERS] K, $2.50 IMAWJ OTHERS AT I# $ NOTWITHSTANDING THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS ATTRACTION A POPULAR SCALE OF PRICES WILL PREVAIL DURING THIS ENGAGEMENT |§§|l With WILL AHERN GHOKGE SCHULLER MARGARET BREEN JERRV DOWNES ELIZABETH JOSEPH ALLEN MAX HOFFMAN. Jr. SWANSON BARRY WALSH PEGGY BERNIER FRANK I>.\KKi WALSH KATHARINE MORRIS ALEXANDER RALPH SANFORD FORTY FLAPPER FREsHIES GEORGE DItSEN’S KAMOI'S BAND Remittance and self-addressed, stamped envelope with all mail order*. —' ENGLISH'S S!f THf VANISH WH'PPST CTKWDO WEEK BEG. _ ■£ "-r— MATINEES MONDAY. iT j WEDNESDAY H SATURDAY Meet Nights and Sat. i)RD*TU> NOV H>t M **“ ***' ***’ *****

Lena Daley Tops Cast I at Mutual Comics Are Lew Lewis and Charles Smith in ‘Step Along.’ IF titles mean anything in Mutual burlesque. Sam Morris' new attraction, “Step Along,” coming to the Mutual theater Sunday. Feb. 17, should be swiftly-moving entertainment. And when the personnel of tire presenting company is glimpsed, among its members will be found some of the fastest-stepping players in showland. Heading the cast is Lena Daley, known as a comedienne who specializes in fast movements in all types of terpichore and whose Hawaiian dance has been well liked. Lew Lewis, the Dutch comic and Charles Smith, who has an eccentric fun role, each are fine pedal artists. The other principals among the women dance in and out of innumerable scenes and they, Florence Trotmarf. the pretty soubrette and Laurette Lee, a brunette beauty who is the shows ingenue, do solo and double dancing numbers as well as leading the chorus through many spirited interludes. Harry Harrison, the juvenile of the troupe is a second George M. Cohan in his dancing moments, so even without a prancing chorus of sixteen, “Step Along” is one attraction that lives up to its caption.

Pick Cast

Among those selected for the cast of “The Game of Love and Death,” the Romain Rolland play which the Theater Guild is to present soon, arc Margalo Gillmore, Earl Laj-imore, Arthur Byron, Claude Rains, Henry Travers and Morris Carnovsky. There, are still several roles to be filled. Rouben Mamoulian is directing the play. Added to Cast James Finlayson, Scotch comedian. has been added to the cast of “Two Weeks Off.” which co-star* Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill at First National studios. He will play Miss Mackaill’s father in the story.

AMUSEMENTS

FEB. 16, 1929