The Dramatic Diary of Pepys’ Ghost
(With apologies to S. P., in corpore 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.
23
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
To
House near Lincoln’s-Inn-Fields to see
(As ih. the Play-
