“THE TELESCOPE” OPENS IN CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29506, 6 May 1961, Page 9

“THE TELESCOPE” OPENS IN CHRISTCHURCH

“The Telescope," a play by R. C. Sherriff, which has considerable relevance to some modern social problems, has been chosen by the Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society as its one hundred and . seventy-second major production. The Christchurch season of “The Telescope” opened at the Repertory Theatre last evening. The leading theme of the play is the work of the Church of England in the poorer parts of London. It is obvious that the solid but unspectacular efforts of some of the clergy over many years will be found to have, if some consideration is given to it, a quality of greatness sometimes approaching heroism. The playwright is aware of what has been attempted and performed; and from “The Telescope” it is possible to learn how highly he values a labour that some hasty critics scorn. The clergyman in this play is unassuming in manner but devoted to his calling. He and his wife are two finely realised characters, and these particular parts will repay careful study. The teddy boy with his opaque sensibilities and corroding resentment is more familiar, but he is sketched in with quite as much skill The symbolism of the title of the play is clear enough; but it may be just worth while remarking that the producer has cleverly devised his scene and set his stage to give from the window an impression of a crowded prospect which has also some suggestion of distance and width. The interior of the viearage is rather dull; but the possibility of vision, in

several senses of that elusive word, is ever present. “The Telescope” is a long play and because of this imposes a strain upon the principal actors. In the last act the pace tended to falter, and the final dramatic curtain was, in consequence, lacking some of the force that might be expected from such a climax. Peter "Giddens, as the Vicar of Canbury, looked the part and gave a certain impulsiveness to his lines that made for individuality. In his passages with Joe Palmer he was able to express clearly the sympathy these particular scenes demand. As these are perhaps the basis of the play, it is apparent that Mr Giddens has a real grasp of the part. It is some time since Janet Coote has appeared in a production of the society and it is a pleasure to hear her speaking her lines once more. Bill Pearce acted well as Joe Palmer, with some appreciation of the variety of mood which is such a feature of this particular role. The players who appeared in the smaller parts were particularly good. Mention should be made of George Taylor as the vicar about to retire. Harold Pointer as the judicious police sergeant, and Strath McNight as the genial British workman. Ben Brooks. It may be added that Janet Milbum's playing of Mrs Palmer, a woman of original if anti-social ideas, was in a class on its own. She has some delightful remarks to utter, and everyone would agree that she makes the most of them. "The Telescope” is produced by Heath Joyce. —C.E.S.