Indianapolis Times, Volume 41, Number 138, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 October 1929 — Page 6

PAGE 6

CHAUVE SOURIS WILL OPEN ENGAGEMENT AT ENGLISH’S

Balieff Will Introduce Each Act to His Indianapolis Audience —Phil Baker, in ‘Pleasure Bound,’ Has Been Booked Here. DIRECT from two triumphal weeks at Montreal and Toronto. Balieff's Chauve Souris (The Bat Theater of Moscow) comes to English’s on Monday, 0?t. 91. for a week, in anew program. The vis',, here o- this distinguished aggregation of singers, dancers, and comedians w.U he one of the treats of the season. Balieff’s worldfamed organization presents a unique musical show, and has become a veritable international fevue presenting twenty different numbers performed or sung in Russian, French and English. But lovers of their rare art know how little the language matters! It is the spirit, the elan, of these artists that counts.

The Montreal Gazette in its review last week wrote as follows: “If you are pleeced advertise ir the society in which you nice::.'' Balieff requested the audience at the local premiere of his new Chauve Souris at His Majesty’s theater last night. Pleased, however, is a rather mild word to describe the delight which his production inspires and, in any case, this is not an editorial column. A word to the wise might get by the blue pencil, though. Here it is: “Go!” “This season's edition of Russia’s most famous export is still as brilliantly staged and as whimsically presented as it was when it first !clt the borders of its highly colored homeland. The backgrounds, whether they are mere suggestive scraps of canvas or full sets, are gaily imaginative and as humorously oblivious of the laws of gravity and perspective as ever. The costuming is pitched in the same droll key. The dancing is exquisite. The singing is lovely—or terrible—as the situation demands. The spontaneous exuberance of the relatively small cast would be put to shame the total ‘pep’ of a monster Broadway production. “And in additioiKto all this, there Is Balieff, whose round-eyed silences are so much funnier than any other comedians’ jokes. As usual, he introduces each number with some pithy comment both upon it and upon life in general. At times he abandons his philosophy and joins in the frolic with a fine disregard for the limitations of his avoirdupois.” • a a “PLEASURE BOUND” BOOKED HERE Another of those unusual entertainments at which the Messrs, j Shubert know how, is “Pleasure j Bound,” a “verifunny” revue, which opens at English's Monday evening, j Oct. 28. It comes here firmly established j as one of the season’s outstand- ; ing productions, a fact attested by Is long box office pull both in New York and Chicago, which thus far have held “Pleasure Bound” as its only engagements. The quintet of co-stars, composed of Jack Pearl, Phil Baker, Aileen and Shaw and Lee, provide enough entertainment for a circus, backed as these favorites are by a host of revue specialists. It is hard to say which of this cotarie takes chief honors'. You have Jack Pearl, first as a designer of ladies’ fashions, then as a band leader, a waiter and later as a traveler in a screamingly funny scene in a railroad car. Os course, he never ceases to nearly choke in his cholerie struggles with the English language. Then comes the big song and accordion man, Phil Baker. ' Once again, he will be heard telling jokes singing songs, and being interrupted by his partner from the front oi the house, and doing it just as well —if not better—as he has ever done, with that same easy method. His material is sure-fire and really funny. Shaw and Lee, they of the blank expressions and unmanageable extermeties, get their share of the vast number of laughs to be found in “Pleasure Bornd.” Aileen Stanley, the vaudeville and > Victor record star, sings with considerable ease, aided by her unusual personality. When the above quintet is not on the stage, the pace is upheld by Rosita Moreno. June O’Dav, Chick Chandler. Roy Hoyor. Ralph Locke. Janie Adams, Harold Crane, A1 Weber, Will Bonne!!:. Margot Nelson, John J. and Mary Jennings, Paco Mareno,/Tito Corel. Dorothy Drum. Jane Manners and numerous ethers, including the dashing troupe of Jack Donahue and John Eoyle Girls. Muriel Pollock wrote tlic music for “Pleasure Bound.” Harold Attendee, the book; Max and Nathaniel Lief, with Attendee the lyrics. * AMUSEMENTS

s- ICJk^^/wSd The Talk r rQ OW&t. (Kv* *4 fi Os the Town App,ara

Opera Will Be Given at Murat ‘Faust,’ “Carmen’ and ‘Butterfly’ to Be Given. A SIDE from theVmusical value the presentations to be given at the Murat, starting Monday, Oct. 28, for three nights by the American Opera Company, the treatment of the dramatic values of grand opera is of interest to the average theater goes, or the technicians of the theater, as many will remember from this great organizations productions of the past two seasons. For Vladimir Rosing, styled by Dome “The Rheinhardt” of the opera has violated many of the old stage conventions and traditions of grand opera with a view to heightening the dramatic values and accelerating the action of the heightening the dramatic values and accelerating the action of the various works. We understand that one should approach the productions of the American Opera Company with complete forgetfulness of all the old conventions of stage sets' of opera—as well as the disregard of the old and often archaic dramatic methds employed by the Italian school of impresari. As the dramatic stage has progressed and innovations in staging, acting and play writing have been the natural sequence of such progress, so Rosing has injected what ha believes is proper modernity into the world of the grand opera—that the theatergoer, the movie fan and the average “man in the street” may enioy and understand his opera. In the first place, the opera has been looked upon frankly as a “good show with music.” The repertoire of the company includes those operas whose libretti offers the best dramatic possibilities as well as music sufficiently in keeping with the tpye of thing this- company presents. that viewpoint, and for the first time having directors who do not clash over the relative importance of music and dramatic action in opera, both Mr. Rosing and Isaac Van Grove, musical director, have evolved anew type of moving, vivid, living musical presentation, which many critics have styled “music drama,” rather than grand opera although none of the operatic values or magnificences have been dispensed with. Some of the radical changes made which were so favorably commented upon by the critics of Chicago last season, include: The casting cf two tenors to sing the role of “Faust” in the first scene—one to sing old Faust and one to carry on as the Faust into which the demon Mephisto has changed the philosopher. Again the Mephisto is no longev

MURATS 0CT.28-29-30 Three Nights Only GALA OPERA SEASON AMERICAN OPERA CO. Direct from Fourth Season in Chicago—Company of 92 People SPECIAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MON. EVL“f AUSr- TOES. EVE.“CARMtN ’- WHO. EVE. "BUTTERFLY” GRAND OPERA IN ENGLISH by the Greatest Group of Singing Actors in America Trices $3.00, $2.50, $2.00, $1.50, SI .CO. Mall Orders Now. SEATS THURSDAY

1— Nikita Balieff on Monday night at English’s will introduce his famous “ChauveSouris,” anew international revue to Indianapolis. Engagement will be for the week. 2 Joan Lee in “Broadway Scandals” that opens Sunday matinee at the Mutual.

the swashbuckling demon in horned cap and red tights, and for the sake of dramatic value and realism he is fitted in character to the particular scene in which he appears. In the first scene, in Faust’s study, Mephisto is the suave scholar; in the Kermesse scene he is one of the soldiers; in the garden scent he becomes the man about town lypj; while in the church scene he is garbed in the scarlet and flowing robes of a cleric, backed by a host of dimly seen black demons, clutching at the unfortunate Marguerite. In the street scene he is serenader, and in the final scene he is a gaoler in Marguerite’s prison. The scenic effects, which were designed and created by Robert Edmond Jones, have created a sensation wherever this production has been presented, as they are an absolute departure from the accepted epera setting, and are the embodiment of the new art in scenic effects. The American Opera Company’s production of “Carmen” is radical, first of all in its almost modernistic scenery by Jones. His color combination of gold, scarlet and purple in “Carmen” is a • sensational one, and his settings with the colorfully costumed ensemble massed therein, aie paintings of rare beauty. “Mme. Butterfly” has been dealt with in the Rosing manner, and unlike any presentation of this lovely opera by any other company, the American Op'ra Company presents “Eutterfiy” without a stage curtain, and the setting is a real little Japanese house, not sets and drops, as in most stage presentations. Archie Takes Vacation Archie Mayo. Warner Bros, director. has arrived in New York from Hollywood on his annual vacation. He plans to stay in the cast for several weeks. The latest Vitaphone productions to be completed by Mr. Mayo before he left California are “Wide Open” with Edward Everett Horton and Patsy Ruth Miller, and “The Sacred Flame” starring Pauline Frederick.

AMUSEMENTS

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

ROUNDING ROUND np IT T? A r n?T?Q With WALTER 1 1 R hickman

BROADWAY is holding on to Charlie Davis as master of ceremonies at the Paramount and this keeps on Bobby Jackson for several more weeks as the master at the Indiana. When one understands that several famous master of ceremonies have met their Waterloo at the Paramount, it is gratifying to know that Davis has made good to such an extent that he is held over for several weeks more.

I met Jackson for the first time the other afternoon. Have received many letters from readers of this department asking me to interview the young master of ceremonies. I will be able to fill that order within a few days. ana I have received the following letter from Jessie Powell-Arnold, Walker’s Cincinnati representative: It is the intention of Stuart Walker to run his plays two weeks this season, thus insuring alt patrons of the theater in Cincinnati and its environs an opportunity of seeing each production. Mr. Walker’s first play for the Stuart Walker Cincinnati Company is “Peter Ibbetson,” now at the Taft. This makes the second time in his fifteen years as an independent producer that Walker has given “Peter Ibbetson,” the first time being in 1923 when it was presented in both Indianapolis and Cincinnati. At that time, Stuart Walker's revival was as sensational in its beauty and acting as the New York production a few years before. It is interesting to note the careers of a few of the young people who played minor parts in that first production. Eleanor Ewing and Ethel Taylor are now well known actresses in New York, Ralph Scheinpflug is a successful manager. James Webber and Jane Dransfield are

AMUSEMENTS

TONIGHT HOLLER SKATING Y.W.C.A. 329 N. Pennsylvania St. Good Floor Good "Music Men, 35c Girls, 25c SKATING EVERY TUESDAY AND SATURDAY EVENING

REDUCED PARKING RATES (Downtown!) FDR LYRIC THEATRE PATRONS!

nr ,l,^^^773?!?! B !!! l ! l why my more I flk i ) I M STATE SChOQb lyric pp/ccs \ jL *~M WITHOUT SEEINO Jf *AA /D SHOWS ON PERFECT ~ BROWN BROTHER ffffdP ■ V R Rl:Tli Ig M TfciT-'e V/ r-v DOLORES GRIFFIN I “Snappy Songs and k) LEE TRACY'DAPHNE POLLARD* l;w®U/ 3

3 Tom Brown and his well-known organization opens a week’s engagement at the Lyric today, 4 Jimmy Dunn is seen in “Pirates of Melody,” the new stage show at the Indiana.

playwrights of no small . achievements. Jaen Spurncy. one of the best leaning women, and Wayne Huff a really good all round actor, while William Kirkland is now a featured leading man. George Somnes is in Cincinnati playing the part of Colonel Ibbetson. He played the same role in the 1923 production and was in the original New York company with Constance Collier, Laura Hope Crews and John and Lionel Barrymore. Somnes is an actor of great charm and has played with Julia Arthur, and William Faversham in tfffcir Shakespearian revivals. At present he is director of the Little Theater in Indianapolis. Both he and McKay Morris who will play the title role in “Peter Ibbetson” served their apprenticeship uncle” Stv-vt Welker. Mr. Walkers’ second production will be “Our Betters.” He is bringing to Cincinnati one of the foremost actresses on the American stage who will plry th? leading woman’s roie in this play and who AMUSEMENTS

sM2m ONE NIGHT ORLY—HENRY THIES % "I cSUftf/ 'N'9 HIS VICTOR RECORDING WIAV RADIO W$S: CONNIE’S‘'ORCHESTRA V 'INDIANA’S FAVORITE DANCE BAND 9 i /W\Y§|k Admission SI.OO. Checking Free ,-jf BIG BARN HARVEST DANCE | E

We have made arrangement* with the AUTO INN GARAGE, 424 North Illinois street, whereby patrons of the Lyric Theatre will save 10c from regular price for three hours’ parking, which is 35c. Lyric patrons will be given three hours’ parking for £se, morning, afternoon and evening. Special evening prices from 5 p. m. to 1 a. in. (for entire period of eight hours), 50c. Ask theatre cashier to stamp your parking check when purchasing admission tickets.

will remain in Cincinnati for several weeks to do one or two other bia plays. Ciavton Hamilton, noted author playwright. dramatic critic and lecturer on the theater writes to Stuart Walker about the experiment of the Cincinnati Stuart Walker Company in Cincinnati. “I am entirely serious in sayimr that the fate of this experiment is fraught with great significance to the-entire future of the theater in this country. New Names in Cast Tiny Jones and Angela Mawby are the latest additions to the cast of “The Man,” John Barrymore’s secAMUSEMENTS

COLONIALIllinois and New York WEEK STARTING SUNDAY I “Fastest Show in Town” ' NEW CAST—NEW SHOW 6 i3sf Staff” A Fast Moving BURLESQUE with BABE ARCHER Ray Cook —Florence King Joe DeLano —Bozo Fleming CHORUS ON RUNWAY On the Screen BEN LYONS In the talking feature “THE FLYING MINE” Matinee 20c Nights—Sat. & Sun. Mat., SOc

ond Vitaphone talking picture for Warner Bros.

SECOND CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, Indianapolis, Indiana Announces a Free Lecture on Christian Science By Judge Samuel W. Greene, C. S. B. Chicago, Illinois Member of The Board of Lectureship of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts in MURAT THEATRE Saturday, October 19th, at 8 P. M. Nineteen Hundred. Twenty Nine The Public la Cordially Invited to Attend ________

ENGLISH’S com*! Mon. Oct. 21 Popular Mat. Wed. —Matinee Saturday MORRIS GEST takes great pleasure in announcing THE GREATEST OF MUSICAL SHOWS .... - BALIEFF'S CHAUVE SOURIS NEW INTERNATIPNAL REVUE— Direct fro in Paris 6? few ybrJk There is only one Chauve-Souris, one Balieff, only on# Morris Gest. Burns Mantle, New York Dally News. The Chauve-Souris has preserved the raw, gay vigor that seems so contagious the first time it flashed in our theat’-e. /. Brooks Atkinson, New York Times, If any one exists who has never seen the ChauveSouris, he should go at once. Robert Littell, Nexo York Evening Post. Evenings—sl.oo to $3.00. Pop. Wed. Mat.—SOc to $2.00. Saturday Mat—7sc to $2.50. Seats Selling.

ALL OQ MATINEES WEEK IViUllay UI#I .£0 WED. AND SAT. Nights: Orchestra $3.85; Balcony, 2 rows S3, a rows 82.50, 4 rows .2, 5 rows $1.50; Gallery sl. Wed. Matinee 50c to $2. Sat. Matinee 50c to $2.50. With your check or money order, please enclose self-addressed, stamped envelope for prompt response. TICKETS READY THURSDAY—BUT WHY STAND IN LINE? MAIL YOUR ORDER NOW AND REST YOUR ARCHES! Messrs. Shubert Present ROSITA MORENO JINE O'DAY CHICK CHANDLER ROY HOVER RALPH LOCKE JANIE ADAMS -'HAROLD CRANE AI. WEBER WILL BONNE!.LI MARGOT NELSON THE JENNINGS PACO MORENO TITO CORAL DOROTHY BRIM JANE MANNERS JACK DONAHIE—JOHN BOYLE GIRLS More Stars in One Blast than f Three Other Revues Combinedl A sizzling hot-box of entertainment, with more laughs, spice and action than a flappers’ gin party. See it all the first night before the fuse blows out In New York and Chicago alone, this show exceeded the million-dollar mark in gross receipts, setting anew high record for Shubert revues* A FURNACE of FEMININITY

OCT. 19, 1929

Wesson Is Funmaker at Mutual ‘Broadway Scandals' Opens Stay Here Sun-* day. GOOD looking girls who can really sing and dance are promised for “Broadway Scandals,” the Mutual burlesque attraction due at the Mutual Sunday afternoon. The company has won praise along the circuit, according to all reports, and is headed by Charles Wesson: known as the Don Barclay of burlesque; Joan Lee, soubretie, and Joan Collette, ingenue. Among the scenes that have been winning favorable comment are the mysteriously alluring “The Lady of the Web,” "The Garden of Girls.” which has an interest-awakening sound somehow, and “Along the Santa Fe Trail.” In addition to these, the routine contains new song numbers and many comedy skits and bite. Among the many players due in “Broadway Scandals” are included Charles Cole, tramp comedian; Ray King, straight; Grace Wasson, soubrette; Betty Lee, acrobatic dancer; Alyce Jay, prima donna; Betty Roberts and Estella Hoffman, ingenue; Patsy Has Honeymoon

Patsy i„uth ivnutu, _ ~s. Tay Garnet, has left on her honeymoon that was temporarily deferred, because of her role in Warner Bros. Vitaphone production, “Wide Open.”