Theatre: Best Plays in Manhattan: Apr. 30, 1928

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

SERIOUS

MARCO MILLIONS—An elaborate fantasy in which Eugene O'Neill plays Marco Polo for an all-time sucker (TIME, Jan. 16).

STRANGE INTERLUDE—Eugene O'Neill's nine-act investigation of the sad life and loves of a lonely lady; variously described as foolish, magnificent or pretentious, it is undoubtedly the most important theatrical production of the season (TIME, Feb. 13).

TWELVE THOUSAND—The G a r r i c k Players—especially Basil Sydney and Mary Ellis—in a soft, surefooted and satiric comment on an intimate episode in 18th century history (TIME, March 26).

Other well-regarded serious plays: COQUETTE, Civic REPERTORY PRODUCTIONS.

MELODRAMA

DRACULA—Stage version of Bram Stoker's comedy of horrors (TIME, Oct. 17).

THE SILENT HOUSE—How a Chinaman performs when he gets out of the laundry (TIME, Feb. 20).

DIAMOND LIL—The East side is still the East side and Mae West hasn't changed much either (TIME, April 23).

Other able melodramas: THE TRIAL OF MARY DUGAN, INTERFERENCE, THE SCARLET Fox.

FUNNY

BURLESQUE—Troubles for two on the two-a-day, with a smile behind the tear (TIME, Sept. 12)..

OUR BETTERS—Ina Claire in a brilliant revival of Somerset Maugham's sneer at U. S. go-getters abroad (TIME, March 5).

VOLPONE—The Theatre Guild's riotous and modernized version of Ben Jonson's caustic comedy about the misfortunes of a merry miser (TIME, April 23).

Other good and funny plays: THE SHANNONS OF BROADWAY, THE QUEEN'S HUSBAND, THE ROYAL FAMILY, THE COMMAND TO LOVE, PARIS BOUND.

MUSICAL

Just for fun: Funny Face, Good News, Rain or Shine, Manhattan Mary, Keep Shufflin'.

More elaborate: Show Boat, A Connecticut Yankee, The Three Musketeers.