Bryn Mawr College - Bryn Mawr Yearbook (Bryn Mawr, PA)

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HELENA ' S HUSBAND, which pleased me infinitely. The dresses very fine; much pleased with the wigs, all of wool, a new and strange device. Stevenson as the Ethiopian slave vast- ly diverting. Grant, as Helena, seemed a mighty pretty creature. Hart, who played Paris, a gallant, hath the motions and carriage of a spark the most that ever I saw. November 17, 1932. To the Red Bull, and there did see SAINT ' S DAY, which they do say was to have been called THE SAINT ' S MIS- TRESS, but that Her Majesty liked not that title, and indeed the play is as full of bawdy as a single act could well be, but diverting enough for all that. Many young players not long up from the Nursery did play very well, among them Jones, Schwab, Hannan, Nelson and Coxe. December 10, 1932. To the Cock- pit, to see THE ROYAL FAMILY, a play about the people of the stage — vastl y amusing to such as do have some acquaintance with the Theatres. Daniels and Trowbridge excellent in small parts. March 17, 1933. To the Court, where we were very merry over LE BOURGEOIS GENTILHOMME, in French, an old play, but which ' ' ikes me better every time I see it. Jarrett gives us fresh reason never to think enough of her, for none can out-do her in these Gallic roles. Fouilhoux also mighty pleasing. March 20, 1933. In Covent Gar- den tonight, and stopped at the great Coffee House there, under the man- agement of Greeks. There, I per- ceive, is very witty and pleasant dis- course, for the playwrights and all the wits of the town were gathered to felicitate Nelson and Hannan on the success of their new plays. Met many of these writers for our stage, includ- ing Daniels, Nichols, Schwab, Steven- son and Coxe, and was delighted to find Jones also among them, who, 24

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The Dramatic T)iary ofT ' epys ' Cjhost {With apologies to S. P., in cor pore relicto) February 14, 1931. To the Nursery, where I did see a strange, fantastical piece called THE ROAD TO MARS, neither great nor serious, and indeed but a slight thing, writ by one Coxe, a new aspirant to the ranks of our dramatists. Yet the music and danc- ing, for which I do hear one Cornish is responsible, very fine. I did laugh mightily at the pleasant simplicities of Jones, Schwab, Church and Gerhard, and indeed the first of these promises much. Righter and Culbertson, who did sing the chief songs, performed very well. Nichols and Polachek also in good singing roles. The dresses all very strange and new. May 12, 1931. Again to the Nur- sery, to see three one-act plays, writ by Grant, Duany and Coxe. Much mirth at one Smith, who did play a clownish part — a great absurdity which they did call a Boy Scout. Boyd, Carpenter, Gateson, Jarrett, Butler and Nichols all acted with great sincerity. An odd mixture of plays; but went home well pleased. April 25, 1931. To the Duke ' s, to see ENCHANTED APRIL, very well done. Chiefly interested to see Grant, but newly come up from the Nursery, well suited to the role, which she did perform very adequately. November 21, 1931. To the King ' s Playhouse, where I did see BERK- ELEY SQUARE monstrously well done. The scene mightily splendid, and the dresses the true garbe of the days of Queen Anne. Afterwards, went behind the scenes, and spoke with Gateson, Meneely and Coxe, who had acted small roles therein. February 5, 1932. To White Hall, to see a French piece, entitled KNOCK, excellently well done, and a vastly amusing farce. Very good mirth at Jarrett, who enacted the main role with great spirit. October 25, 1932. To the Play- House near Lincoln ' s-Inn-Fields to see 23

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they tell me, is like to be great in both acting and writing of Comedies, as was Betterton in Tragedy. April 22, 1933. To Blackfryers (in spite of my vow, I find I cannot keep long from the Theatres), to see LADY WINDERMERE ' S FAN, an excellent play, and acted to my great content. Fouilhoux, whom I have not seen this long time, played Lady Jedburgh. April 23, 1933. To Moorfields, to see THE DELUGE, a very ancient piece, and exceeding comical, acted in the open air, on platforms. Many new players, trained up in the Nur- sery, which for the past four years has produced a vast number of our best Thespians. Among these, Par- sons and Mackenzie especially fine; also Daniels and Parnell. Nichols, another who began in the Nursery, but has since been seen on our better stages, also acted therein, and excel- lently well, too. December 9, 1933. To Salisbury Court, and there saw THE KNIGHT OF THE BURNING PESTLE acted solely by females. The clothes very fine, ' of the fashion of King James ' time. Many players that I knew well in humorous parts; Fouilhoux as Mas- ter Merrythought; Nelson excellent as an ogre, terrifying to behold; Steven- son as a dwarf, at which excellent mirth. Two newcomers from the Nursery — Gribbel in the Host ' s part, and Boyd as a spectator; also Par- sons once more (as a gallant). Mis- tress Righter did play the Knight with great spirit and sincere feeling for comedy. But, as I said, two hun- dred and fifty years ago, when in the flesh, indeed the play itself should be 25