o managers who have cast longing eyes
on SHERIDAN'S comedy are Mr. SEYMOUR HICKS and Mr. OSCAR ASCHE. Mr. SEYMOUR
HICKS is convinced that there is a new lease of life for this play if it is
taken at a quicker pace. He has therefore arranged an acting version which
will occupy about an hour, with laughs. By eliminating the word "sentiment"
alone, which is tediously harped upon, several minutes are saved. Some of
_Sir Peter_ and _Lady Teazle's_ repetition of the word "Never" also goes.
The satirical conversation in Act I. is much abbreviated as being out of
date, and the whole piece is redressed in the present manner. Mr. ASCHE
also is re-dressing it, or rather un-dressing it. In his opinion what the
play lacks is a touch of savagery. It is too sophisticated. He has
therefore kept no more of the plot than is consistent with a change of
scene to Hawaii, the fashionable primitive country of the moment. By this
change, even if a little of the wit and spirit evaporate, a certain force
is gained, a powerful epidermic part for Miss LILY BRAYTON as _Mrs.
Candour_ (the new heroine of the comedy) being not only possible but
natural. Mr. ASCHE himself will play _Charles Surface_, with the accent on
the surface, since he turns out to be a devotee of sun-baths and the simple
life.

In reply to a cablegram to America, Sir HERBERT BEERBOHM TREE sends the
following message:--"Am busy rehearsing _He Stoops to Cinema; or, The
Mistakes of a Knight_."

* * * * *

[Illustration: UNPLEASANT NIGHTMARE OF HANS, THE EX-CINEMA ATTENDANT, AFTER
LEARNING OF THE AMERICAN DECLARATION OF WAR.]

* * * * *

FOOD CONTROL.

There is no truth in the rumour that there is to be a "sauceless" day for
our Post-Office employees.

* * * * *

"The Craven Stakes of 500 sobs."--_Evening News_ (_Portsmouth_).

Horse-racing in war-time _is_ rather a sorry business.

* * * * *

"A lady giving up her electromobile, on account of the war, which is in
good running order...."--_Pall Mall Gazette._

We are glad to have this confirmation of reports from General Headquarters.

* * * * *

[Illustration: _Skinner._ "WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT THE RATIONING?"

_Podmore._ "OH, WHEN MEALTIME COMES I TIGHTEN MY BELT."

_Skinner._ "FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE?"]

* * * *