The Theatre: Best Plays: May 17, 1926

These are the plays which, in the light of metropolitan criticism, seem most important.

SERIOUS

YOUNG WOODLEY — An English schoolboy’s introduction to the serpent sex. Including Glenn Hunter.

LULU BELLE — Lenore Ulric giving a sharply explicit interpretation of a Negro courtesan.

BRIDE OF THE LAMB — The story of a woman whose religion sprang from her love of a revival preacher. Alice Brady.

THE DYBBUK — Jewish mysticism and strange romance in masterly production by the Neighborhood Playhouse.

CRAIG’S WIFE — Dainty Mrs. Craig cleaned and garnished her house so sedulously that she quite swept out her husband. [Received Pulitzer Prize. ]

THE GREAT GOD BROWN — An expressionistic work by Eugene O’Neill in which a rich man appropriates the poor man’s brain.

CYRANO DE BERGERAC — Walter Hampden continues his Rostand revival, alternating with The Servant in the House.

LESS SERIOUS

WHAT EVERY WOMAN KNOWS —An eminently satisfactory Barrie revival with Helen Hayes.

THE LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY —English wit and English polish in a story of some stolen pearls.

AT MRS. BEAM’S — The reaction of a London boarding house to a Frenchman who murdered 40 wives.

IS ZAT SO?— Good old favorite with prizefighting jargon.

CRADLE SNATCHERS — Young men and old women off on a weekend.

Frank but funny.

THE ROMANTIC YOUNG LADY —Reviewed in this issue.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST — Reviewed in this issue.

MUSICAL Song and joke books of special excellence are these: Sunny, The Vagabond King, By the Way, Pina fore, The Student Prince, Tip-Toes, Cocoanuts, Raquel Meller, lolanthe and No, No, Nanette.