THE BEST PLAYS

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

Drama

OUTWARD BOUND-- A magnetic, wistfully played drama of the hereafter, for those who take their future life seriously-- and for those who don't.

COBRA-- A thumping play weaving good impulses with lustfulness, causing the staring eye and the flushed brow.

THE OUTSIDER -- Katherine Cornell makes you believe she is a cripple, and also that this is a play.

SAINT JOAN-- Bernard Shaw, with the wise tolerance of age, giving Jeanne d'Arc a chance to speak as well as Shaw.

THE MIRACLE-- Religion as Barnum might have magnificently exploited it.

Comedy

EXPRESSING WILLIE-- A delightfully sensitive study of the havoc wrought by temperament in a plain business man. BEGGAR ON HORSEBACK-- Deft and biting satire, wreaking a Freudian revenge on the Rotary clubs!

THE SWAN-- Makes royal puppets tingle with life as love once more refuses to recognize any frontiers.

CYRANO DE BERGERAC-- Walter Hampden superbly follows his nose to glory.

MEET THE WIFE-- A kittenish wife plays perkily with two husbands instead of the usual ball of yarn.

THE POTTERS-- A kaleidoscopic picture of the American family, veracious in spite of providing more excitement than a dozen families have.

THE GOOSE HANGS HIGH-- A sympathetic comedy showing that youth will be served with praise as well as blame.

HELL-BENT FER HEAVEN-- Fairly true and somewhat unusual picture of the Kentucky mountains in the throes of a revivalist complex.

THE SHOW-OFF -- A penetratingly faithful and intrinsically amusing dissection of a modern loud speaker.

FATA MORGANA-- A cynically smart study of the city siren practicing on the country swain for one night only, leaving him with nothing but his blushes.

THE NERVOUS WRECK-- Hypochondriac wheezings drowned out by hilarious noise.

Musical

Devotees of the musical comedy muse will find their spirits refreshed by Stepping Stones, Kid Boots, Poppy, Ziegfeld Follies, Music Box Revue, Charlot's Revue, Vogues.

With reporting by TIME