"CASTE"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 62, 6 December 1917, Page 6

"CASTE"

A CHARMING PERFORMANCE

"Caste," a' comedy-drama in three acts, by Tom Robertson. Caßt:—

Eccles Mr. Cyril Maude Captain Ilawtree Mr. Frank Elliott Hon. George D'Alroy...Mi\ Herbert lionson Sura Gerridge Mr. Step'jen Scanlan Dickson Mr. Raymond Lawrence Marquise Maur...Miss Stella l'oyter Esther Eci-jes Miss Dorothy Ouniniing I'olly Eccles ilies Hetty Murray

Old triends, old wine, and (one is tempted to add after witnessing the tevival of "Caste" last evening) old plays are best. It is a very far cry buoli to the dayß when winsome Marie Wilton (afterwards Lady Bancroft) made all England laugh as the most dclicious of all the Polly Eccles's, and many of the moat famous players of tho times have since united In giving special performances of this sweet old play—the best of the Kobertsonlan school. One such revival fifteen years ago in London brought to light a notable Eccles in Mr. Cyril Maude, whose fine comedy art in "Caste" we were privileged to witness last evening. On that occasion —it is really worth recording—he had aa his coadjutors Miss Marie Tempest as Polly. Miss Winifred Emery (Mrs.'Maude) as Esther, Miss Genevieve Ward as the Marquise, Mr. Allen Ayneswortli as D'Alroy, Mr. Brandon Thomas as Hawtrce, and Mr. Geo. Giddcns as Gerrid'e. What a cast for "Caste"! Last evening's performance was on a high level of uniform excellence. Mr. Maude got fairly into the skin of the bibulous old toper, in whom drink has killod the last vestige of fatherly conscience. Very adroitly does 110 depict the inroads his depraved habits make in tile man. and very humorous are his bursts into bilmloud song, reScoting the wetteßt of nights at the Harmonic Club in the corner "pub." Ilis business of loading his pipe was instinct with ripe understanding of what such an old wretch would do uuder the circumstances, an<s his defiant speech to the "Honourable" Gcorgy in the cradle was high art. Respect- for the ability of Miss Dorothy Cumming increases with each performance, nor Esther Eccles was the performance of a finished actress with a deal of emotional power at her command. She struck no false noto throughout, and often compelled wavos of real sympathy by her sincere and entirely graceful and womanly performance of a difficult role. Miss Cumming has done nothing better than Esther Kcclcs, and such acting as she gave last evening would command resneot anywhere. Miss Betty Murray's Polly was altogether tlie reverse of traditional. There was a twist of the Irish in her pretty voice that, was far removed from the essentially London girl of Robertson s imagining, yet her conceit of the nart was. on the lines selected, quite pleasing throughout—sympathetic, roguish, and naive. Mr. Stephen Scanlon gave another clear and distinctly individual portrait from his gallery in Sam Gcrruure, whom he made tho rooßt alert, viinfjil, and likeable of Cockney gasfltters imaginable. The Captain Hawtrec of Mr. Fiank Elliott was a well-stndied bit- of character work, with just a little natural humour lacking to miss getting some of the laughs due to the part. Still it was a sound, workmanlike performance of a conscientious actor. Miss Stella Payter scarcely compassed that- air of the dominating, grande dome, the Marquise de St. Maur, and her stately old-world speeches did not make the appeal they should have done. It was simply a miscast as to personality. Mr. Herbert Hanson was manly and extremely likeable as the Hon. Geo. D Alrov, his buoyancy and tenderness meeting all the demands of the role. The play naturally shows signs of the nassage of years, but its sound sentiment and huitiour, and its fine array of mterc''; ine characters will ever preserve for it a Sclioin the hearts of regular playgoers who think. A pie? sine c/Tect was_ c.iinea hy the dressing of the nlny, which was a replica of that used on its original pcr"Caste" will be nlaycd again this evening, when the season will close.