'MAN ALIVE'

Press, Volume C, Issue 29501, 1 May 1961, Page 7

'MAN ALIVE'

Comedy Well Received "Man Alive,” 1 comedy of surprises, delighted the audience at the Risingholme Theatre on Saturday evening. This play is likely to be remembered as one of the most ambitious ever staged by the Risingholme Drama Group and ,as one of the best amateur productions of the year. The playwright, John Dighton, has set “Man Alive’" in a shop window, which is unusual: but, in addition* a group of wax model* is included among the principal characters Theke dummies lead a fife of their own: their attitude to human beings is critical, and their opinions are often expressed with wit - In the present production, this state of affairs, which amounts to a play within a play. has been deftly handled. It would not be tactful to say that Lesley O’Donnell and Beatrice Hilton were well cast in these roles; but at least they showed all the sign* of expert make-up and preparation jfor them. They both rave clever performances. So much control in circumstances at times so embarrassing wn admirable indeed. Basil Biggs, as Waldorf, the third dummy, the one who came to life, had to make the best of two worlds. His somewhat mechanical manner was bright and assured. and he acted well in a variety of situations. Although they followed the same pattern, his encounters with the women in the store were always amusing. His| scenes with the mep, on the other hand, tended to produce something more ’ unexpected. Mr Bigg* could depend throughout the play upon lively character icting to support him. and here Raynor Scandrett. as Oakshott, the store detective, a well-defined comic role, made the strongest impression. Balfour Dingwall w*» Mr Hathaway, the owner of the store. This was an interesting but constantly changing part, and it was soon apparent that Mr Dingwall is an actor of some experience, He responded bravely to? the challenge of the last- act. where some of the comic business goes on too long. The other character* in "Man Alive,” who are more ordinary people, with conventional ideas, did not have the same chances to shine as those already mentioned However, in every crisis of the play the acting of Pauline Harper and Peter Fraser, was fresh and spontaneous, and Margaret Dobson anfi Cohn Alexander caught the spirit of the two senior shop assistants very well. Pat the doorman, as played by George Claxton, made a pleasing contrast in voice and manner with all the others. Smaller parts were taken by Beatrice MacFarlane. Norma McCallum, and Frank Brownie. "Man Alive* bristle* with problems ter the producer; but Mrs Bromley again shows her talent for stage organisation and direction. —cjejs