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THINGS THEATRICAL* 1By OBIE McCOLLUMThat “Drammer”AgainThe Alhambra Stock Company,which is by the way a concern in New York with two companies alternating- in and out of the Alhambra Theatre, has a dramatic idea up Itstheatrical sleeve. After successfully presenting dramatic playlets interspersed with motion pictures and musical comedy, the gentlemen, who, we might mention, are white, have decided to go one step further.The new venture, according to advices from an official, will place ten dramatic companies on the road next season.' The plan calls for the -bestobtainable talent to play a group of theatres throughout the Middle Atlantic and Midwestern states. The routes would include; the Alhambra in New York; the Orpheujn. Newark, N. J.; one theatre each in Baltimore, Philadelphia. Cleveland. Pittsburgh. Chicago. Detroit and possibly a half dozen other bouses. In’ order to prevent its becoming monotonous,- the drama will be booked to play each house once in three weeks.The proposed venture is almost certain to be met with approval pro-vidcd the company spends plenty of time (and incidentally,(v.11l!ftcddVqhslt;y, moneys- In preparing the players for their barnstorming tours. There is. however, a dearth of actors who by experience are prepared to present theselves as finished thesplans. The novelty of the Idea should aid the newcomers in getting some experience before the public begins to critically digest its entertainment.The Howl To ComeOut in Chicago the old Lafayette Players are at the Grand Theatre, attempting to bolster up that house by creating a nbw patronage. They presented “What Price Glory” last week and are now' appearing in “The Gorilla”. In New York the Alhambra Players and the group headed by Ida Anderson at the Lincoln, are offering works by recognized white playwrights.With this fact in mind coupled with the knowledge that all the promoters are white, one may naturally soon expect a howl about the Caucasian monopoly. Only two weeks ago did the editor of one of the militant weeklies in Boston not only score “Lulu Belle” and “Porgy”. but urge that a few race writers get into the playwrighting crame.Unfortunately, the theatre, which is Just as commercial as the prosaic task of canning tomatoes, tho . more romantic, can only use whati ” its patrons will buy. Unless the Af-ramerican plot-makers now start weaving tragedy and comedy with the business end in view, the white gentlemen will reap all the cash.And just to remind you that being behind in the producing line is not a falling peculiar to the race, take a peep at the Yiddish theatre which is deplored by even the most loyal sons of Israel.Mr. MicheauxPioneers ' £Oscar; Micheuux’s Thirtv Yeats Later” tnade its bow to Baltimore last week. The production lt;anp while the best put out by the pioneer* is faulty in details.One realizes that colored photoplays suffer from comparison because of limited capital available for making them and the small returns possible to be realized in -a ;c)ass theatre. Mr. Micheaux deserves credit for keeping at the game and paving the way for some followers who will realize more than he. But for the improving of thfe future releases we might ask three questions:Why was William Edmondson not given a screen test before being cast as a supposed white man?Why does the heroine not “sport” a few more changes of clothing as almost any New York stenographer In r#»al life would?)Why have so many deeanis or fainting spells during which all the heavy acting occurs?• •arrIV11niJftcV aCvyit:aCdeiatihdeufttlcnbVITnf!ri
Newspaper Details
Baltimore Afro American
Baltimore, Maryland, US
Sat, May 05, 1928
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Rotten T.
USA 18 Jun 2020
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