"ARMS AND THE MAN."

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20099, 1 December 1930, Page 7

"ARMS AND THE MAN."

REPERTORY SOCIETY'S PRODUCTION. SUCCESS AT RADIANT HALL. Asked to name his favourite -works, Mr Bernard Shaw stated to an interviewer that they ivcio undoubtedly works by G. 8.5., says "Punch," taking a leaf from Shaw's own particular style book of kindly, humorous cynicism. Tho famous writer is the butt of many witticisms perpetrated by humorous journals, but his gift of sparkling repartee • permit's him to revenge himself adequately when he feels so inclined. Of his many plays "Arms and the Man," is one of tlx© truest indications of his attitude towards the world—an attitude of tolerant amusement at the frailties of human nature. He wrote it in 189-1 and it was produced iii that year. Since then it has 1 jyeii produced by the repertory theatres of tho world and is now revived continually by companies of importance. Tho comedy relates to tho early days of dramatic revival in England. It deals many smashing blows at Victorian pseudo-heroics and holds up to scorn the peculiar type of character fashionable in those days. Period stage heroes, heroines, and villains, also comic characters, were mummified affairs that had little relation to actual life, hence Shaw's showing up of these theatricalities in their true . light in his play. He presents a bubble hero and heroine and delights in exploding them forcibly by bringing them into stern contact with a carefree man of the world to whom ideals and ambitions —of the Victorian era, and from a foreign point of view—are ridiculous. He destroys all illusions and demonstrates that the greater romance lies in facing facts. "Arms and the Man" is ambitious for amateurs. Its lines require a full realisation of true satire, a complete conception of stagecraft and, above all, a thorough sense of humour. All these qualities are possessed, fortunately, by the members of tho Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society. They showed it in their presentation of "Arms and tho Man" at the Radiant Hall on Saturday night. The audience was a very large one and its appreciation was shown in the many curtains that followed each act. Oprnin~ with the celebrated bedroom scene, tho play developed into the traditional Gilbert and Sullivan "Chocolate Soldier" theme, with tho difference that this was a "chocolate 'cream' soldier," who held the main male role. People of the Balkan Statoa. with all their wealth of colour in unform, in costume and in setting, made the plot plain, and very full of interest, and they told Shaw's story with excellent insouciance and elocutionary prowess. As Raina Petkoff, Miss Gladys Ferguson was the romantic maid in love, more or less, with Captain Bluntschli and Major Sergius Saranoff. Her role, a difficult one, was played with necessary simplicity and charm, and was polished throughout. Mr Roy Twynoham, as Captain Bluntschli, played with dash, appropriate cynicism and a general outlook upon matters of war and the heart with consummate unconcern. His characterisation was outstanding. In the role of the all-wise and all-knowing servant, Louka, Miss Nita Billcliff was convincing. Uer philandering with Nicola (Mr A. Rendle—another well-played character) —was clever and versatile. Crusty yet humorous in his way. Major Petkoff, played by Professor L. G. Pocock, was a striking character, unseeing m his surmises, but correct,in the enfl. Major Sergius Saranoff by Mr T W. C Tothill, was the Balkan military man, of romance and amusing dignity, full of prestige, and alleged fnire. Miss Agnes Richardson played Catherine well, and Mr Leslie lo was suitably cast as a Russian office JThe scenic portion of the play was in excellent keeping with the action. Miss Kiore King may be heartily con gra tula ted on the production, : Mrs 1. W Dent on the costuming, and Mr Harold Shaw on the stage management. At intervals, suitable m"Sie was provided bv an all-electric Majestic gr ?W™n* the Man" will be repeated to-night.