ROUND THE THEATRES IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 87, 7 January 1935, Page 8

ROUND THE THEATRES IN LONDON

Some Plays and Players

MR. W. S. WAUCHOP’S LETTER

During Die first week of December Mr. W. S. Wane-hop, of the Assembly Library and producer for Die Wellington Repertory Company crossed from England to New York On the CunardWhite Star liner Scythia. On board that vessel he jotted down some interesting notes which will be appreciated by all lovers of the theatre.

"There were some most interesting plays running when I left,” writes Mr. Wauchop. “Chief of these was Joan Geilgud’s ‘Hamlet,’ a beautifully restrained and sensitive performance of mannerism, but with the force of youth —Hamlet lived I It was effectively staged, too, a revolving arrangement of platforms and steps, with gorgeous draperies aud handsome curtains. Home of tlie costumes struck an original note that was almost bizarre. Vosper made a fine King and Jack Hawkins a virile Horatio, but I was not impressed by Laura Cowie’s Queen nor by the Ophelia of Jessica Tandy.

"Another splendid show was “Richard II.” at the Old Vic, where Maurice Evans gave a spirited interpretation of the title role in a colourful representation. I also enjoyed J. B. Priestly’s new play ‘Eden End’ at the Duchess—l wish we had such a theatre as the Duchess. I do not think it is as good as ‘Labournam Grove’ it is not so ingenious nor so intriguing; it has less to say, and much less plot; but it has fine characterisation and good dialogue. Beati'iee Lehmann had the lead and exerted the right touch of theatricality for her role —that of an actress returning to her old home. Ivor Novello Play.

“ ‘Murder in Mayfair’ by Ivor Novello is interesting mainly because of the acting. The play itself raises a murder problem, which I feel it fails utterly to solve. Edna Best, Fay Compton, Zena Dare and Ivor Novello all get flue opportunities, however. ‘Family Affairs,’ by the prolific Gertrude Jennings is having a great run. It is a bit thin and diffuse, but is amusing. Lilian Braithwaite plays the lead and Athene Seyler gets most of the laughs. The latter actress is very clever, but in my opinion she overacts in this part. “I also saw Diana Wynyard in 'Sweet Aloes,’ not much of a play, but quite good entertainment when played as it was here—sueh a different Diana from the one we knew in ‘Cavalcade.’ Bobby Howes, Binnie Hale, Vera Pearce (now rotund but still able to throw a cartwheel) and Wylie Watson are the stars in ‘Yes, Madam,’ an excellent show of the musical comedy type. Bobby Howes is a dandy little comedian, Binnie Hale a charming comedienne—both so fresh and clean. Vera Pearce brings down the house in her big scene, and Wylie Watson Is most amusing as the button-manu-facturing king. I thoroughly enjoyed this show. Not so ‘Streamline,’ Cochrane’s 21st revue, much heralded and a pretentious production. It has some good things in it—the GilbertSullivan skit, the dancing of June and Holland, Sherkot, an amusing clown, and Florence Desmond, the clever imitator ; but there is much that is banal and vulgar, notably in the dressing of one scene. One longs for someon?, too, who can really sing in this class of show. The young man in the lead in this show was a raucous and an obviously untrained singer. More amusing was the June-Douglas Byng revue •Hi-diddle-diddle.’ Any vulgarity here was at least amusing and frank—quite healthy. Byng as Nell Gwynne was screamingly funny—vulgar perhaps, but not offensive. Good Melodrama.

“The Leslie Henson show ‘Lucky Break’ would be very poor without Henson, though Heather Thatcher lends him good support ‘Tue Wise Woman’ by Leslie Storm was a flop, yet it was more entertaining to me than ‘Admirals AU,’ which has quite a long run. I saw the first night of ‘Mary Read’ at His Majesty’s a couple of nights before I left London. This is a fine robust melodrama with soldiers and pirates, guns and cutlasses. As a play it has faults, but it was colourful aud picturesque. Flora Robson as Mary Read never really gave one the impression of being a man, but it was a rousing performance and was given a great reception. “I had a most interesting time at the 8.8. C. I was shown everywhere and everything, attended rehearsals ami concerts, and saw a television programme. They sent me seats for the symphony concert at which Casala played—a revelation. I also heard Schnabel just before leaving. Mr. Graves, of the 8.8. C., was very kind to me and has given me letters to the broadcasting people in New York. I have to thank Lord Bledisloe for this. He gave me a letter of introduction to Sir John Reith, the Governor-General’s godson. Mr. Eustace Robb is in charge of the television department, and he entertained my wife and self at afternoon tea aud the programme was conclude!. “We had a most pleasant trip abroad tn Germany and Italy, and saw the ‘Passion Play’—a memorable occasion. Now for Americal”