"QUARANTINE"

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1924, Page 2

"QUARANTINE"

BUILT ON THE BEDROOM BA3I

Miss F. Tennyson Jesse having had some success as a novelist, what more natural than a venture into play writing? Hence "Quarantine," produced by Mr? Lawrence Grossmith, on Saturday at the Grand Opera House. The plot, or as much of it as would not spoil the previous element of surprise, has been outlined already in the preliminary announcements. These were nicely calculated to arouse and stimulate the interest of prospective playgoers, and were quite successful, if the packed house on the first performance was anything to go by. In fact, the laughter on that occasion was so intense that it often expressed itself in semi-hysterical shrieks, especially in the great bedroom scene. Oh, yes, there was a bedroom scene, with glimpses of exquisite underclothing and pyjamas of joyous stripes, also partial disrobing, sitting on the edge of the bed, and completing the process in a. bathroom. "Quarantine" is built firmly and squarely upon that old and reliable basis, the bedroom scene. There was not much doubt of the popularity of the play on Saturday night, for the audience went on purpose to be amused, possibly shocked—there was nothing shocking—certainly to be entertained; and it had it moneys worth. ."Quarantine" as a plag- will certainly have its place in that informative table in "The Green Room Book," the synopsis of London play bills. Then, probably, it will pass into the great company of plays forgot. It opens, attractively enough with a scene on board ship—the upper firstclass promenade deck, of course, afford^ ing a glimpse of high-priced "stateroom doors. Passengers are discovered either lolling in deck chairs or pacing the deck just before cocktails and dinner. The next scene affords glimpses of a pretty bay, palm-fringed shores, houses with tinted walls, and red-tiled roofs, all seen through the door and windows of a bedroom. Finally, there is seen a hotel front and pretty sea view background all framed in gay, luxuriant vegetation. In fact, the mounting' from beginning to end, is very pretty, very much like the coloured. illustrations of steamship company literature, and quite in accord with foreign scenes as the untravelled may picture ' them. In addition, there are some exquisite toilettes displayed, many of them, and some daring; but a masculine pen falters at describing I them.

It is not at all difficult to discern the cunning of the producer in "Quarantine" ; and it would be very interesting to know how many clever little touches, mainly amusing to the play, are by Mr.GrossmitH himself. He is not only a clever actor, but one of great resource— of that abundant evidence has been given. If anyone could make a comedy a success he could, not only by his own rare personality, but by his sound knowledge of what to say and do, and what not to cay and do. It is well worth while in "Quarantine;" as in other plays, in which Mr. Grossmith has appeared, to concentrate on him from time > to time, so deep are. his instincts, and so wide his experience in knowing and supplying just what the public likes. But the oast of "Quarantine" provides plenty of opportunities for distinction for others besides Mr. Grossmith as Tony Blunt, can be promised by a meddlesome miss in Dinah Partlett. In this latter role Miss Dorothy Seacombe, blessed with good looks and some other qualities, did her utmost to make complications arising out of a pretty and ingenuous girl posing as a married woman seem matter of fact and convincing. Miss Diana Wilson, a graceful and highly accomplished actress, had not much to do, and little to say —except about "love"—as a Spanish lady. She had to look attractive and wear her several dresses with allure and in this she did all that could be expected ■of her. A purely farcical note was struck by the antics of a passenger (not named in £he cast) who wore horn-rim spectacles and carried around binoculars, and a hotwater bag. He was a welcome relief after short exchanges of views on women by Tony Blunt and on men by Dinah Partlett's maid. The other and lesser colour adroitly applied were furnished by Miss Georgia Harvey. Mies Adelaide Gunn and Mun Lisle .Victor, Edmund Duggan, as passengers; also by Miss Mabel Gower as Pinsent, Dinah Partlett's maid. The other and lesser parts were played in keeping with the character of the comedy. ''Quarantine" is offered as a thoroughly laughable entertainment. Regarded as that it was a great success on Saturday, and promises to be so again tonight and following performances until it gives place to "Ambrose Applejohn's I Adventure" on Thursday next.