SATIRE ON SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 239, 9 October 1928, Page 5

SATIRE ON SOCIETY.

BRILLIANT MAUGHAM PLAY.

Written in 1917 by W. Somerset Maugham, "Our Betters" was regarded at the time as unsuitable for presentation, but what was considered too daring a decade ago easily passes muster today; and so this cutting satire on a certain stratum o£ English society, with special reference to title-hunting Americans, accomplished a two years' run at the London Globe, it being the vehicle whereby Miss Margaret Bannerman achieved her most notable success. At His MajestyV Theatre last night this talented actress scored another triumph for the cleverness, enterprise, wit and personal charm with which she invested the character of an unscrupulous and shameless society leader. The story is smartly written by an author who has a peculiar mental "kink" for drawing attention to his own net theories of the sins of society. Lady Grayeton does everything a decent woman should not do to retain a grip on the social world. Success at any price is her motto. "Force of 'character,' wit and unscrupulousness," she declares, "k how I made my way." One of the few titled people never seen in her house is her husband. He does not come into the picture. She accepts the wealth of another man, and deceives him also. There are other episodes in her gay, intriguing existence, and it is only her charm and resource that saves her from striking the rocks with an "affair" with the lover of a titled friend. While

the pla.v can 'be justly termed brilliant, it is certainly "spicey" in parts. The dialogue is sparkling—bnimmiug over with life and high spirits. Depravity, which is patent to all, is veiled to eome extent by the art of Miss Bannerman, her splendid study of the character she assumes seeming to almost tarn vice into virtue. There is a wealth of satire in the dialogue, and many an appreciative chuckle came from an audience that could have been relied upon to break into loud laughter if ordinary comedy had been presented. In the final scene with her sister, who upbraided her, Lady Grayston rose to dramatic heights, concluding with the triumphant announcement: "And now I have bought you a husband," the allusion being to the fact that Lord Bleane had just been accepted as a suitor for the girl's hand. By tears and flattery she won herself 'back to the favour of her wealthy lover, who had momentarily cast her aside with vulgar words, while her skilful wheedling placated the irate Duchess. Scandal was nothing to Lady Gravston, but ridicule was deadly poison to her. Miss Bannerman richly deserved the flattering reception she received. Surrounded \ itli baskets of floral tributes the curtain was demanded again and again before the National Anthem. Miss Dorothy Dunckley, as the Duclieas, had a difficult part. Her interpretation of the character of the woman on the shady side of fifty who handed cheques galore to young men, was remarkably good, and she got more laughs than chuckles for her comedy. Representing the good type of American who loathed vice and deception. Mr. Ellis Irving as Fleming Harvey, acted with sincerity. Mr. Kay Souper as Thornton Clay, an Anglo-American, who knew all the "best people," did his part well. Mr. Geoffrey Millar, as the despicable bounder Bertie, living on the Duchess, was a success, and the scenes in which he took a prominent part caused much real amusement. Miss Cicely Jonas, as an Italian Princess wam convincing, while Miss Kerry Kelly made - an admirable sister of the gay Lady Grayston, possessing all the qualities that her sister lacked. Mr. Louis Goodrich's characterisation of the rough millionaire lover, was excellent. Mr. Frederick Hughes, as Lord Bleane. Mr. Arthur Cornell and Mr. Pirie Bush all contributed their <-uota in making the comedy go with dash and swing from start to finish. "Our Betters" will 'be replaced on Thursday with "Sexes and Sevens."