THE MODERN STAGE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 156, 30 December 1925, Page 9

THE MODERN STAGE

WHAT PLAYS DO MEN WANT?

THE DESIEE TO BE AMUSED,

NOT THBJLLED.

With all the publicity storied to the modern play, it is seldom questioned whether the typical play of today is acceptable to men I Frankly, I believe that men are not patronising the- theatre cs they did. before the ■ war, and a critical study of queues and audiences has tended rather to confirm this faet> writes Bobert Hale in the "Daily Chronicle." The modern fare is either sentimental, of sex aud psychological interest, or else it is a problem play of deep and subtle significance. The exception is revua. Now men invariably visit the theatre after a t?r"-ag day's work, and in common witl all the rest of the public to-day suffer from a failing to think for themselves. They have no particular patience "with deep, problem plays, and would much rather have : a transparent and plain-sailing revue. , They want the play to be made ready for their assimilation, und revue has the. advantage of attracting ei man even if he has not been in at the opening. It is a fact that must be faced. However late you start, men invariajsjy arrive after the curtain is ,up, and then start to (grapple with an obscure plot". So, I say, revue Is perhaps" the best exception in modern plays which fail to please men. ■. •; The sentimental play rather borne them. Women rather like an occasional weep, and men realise this pro* pensity, but when it comes to a' lump rising in their/own throats —well,they do not like it. ■ ■

Except when he visits the theatre on a family anniversary, and sew * play selected ,by his wife, "I doubt whether' modern man knows exactly what he does want. He does not want super-sentimental" stuff t •he does' not want deep problem plays and he doca not want a play which cannot be followed unless one .sees the opening < scene. Further ■-. than that man's- present-day prefeienee is hard to define. Given a good east and; other circumstance* favourable, I think most managers could fill a theatre with .wonten by providing a good sentimental and psychological play. (Women like tetell themselves that they ar«. psycKologista—it sounds so modern and intelligent. ). But' tc fill a .theatre with-.: men I would provide different fare.'

Perhaps if such, circnmst!Uie«s really had to be catered for., I should provide a 'strong company with reputations, and present a good honest f»r<v-cuni-cpniedy. It would b« apt so burlesque as to become just • faroc.tand iwt 80 subtle as-to narrow its humour to the quick-witted. Before the war. I have'known many houses where par-, ties of men. have booked-their-row of stalls for the rim. They have comein regularly every evening, '■ never missing the parts,that particularly inv: terested' thefflj asd offered, a ..type 'of male patronage which, I fear,-is not to be vfo.und anywhere to-day. And when men are not sure what - they want themselves,, can you criticise managers for providing what 'they know will attraet women! 4 We are all still passing through a period of. transition and' reaction after the war. When, in spite of Cheap motoring, golf, tennis, and other such natural attractions, men can be persuaded to clamour for their seats at the theatre, hot only men, but managers, will be thankful. '.