'PAOLO AND FRANCESCA'

Evening Star, Issue 22451, 23 September 1936, Page 14

'PAOLO AND FRANCESCA'

Mrs, Hugh_ Speight deserves praise for her artistic arrangement of the dressing in Mr llussell-Wood’s production of ‘ Paolo and Francesca/ which drew a packed house to the Playbox last night. The black curtains and beautiful furniture formed a perfect setting for • the many lovely period frocks worn by the women of the cast, and also enhanced the colourful dressing of the men, especially when they appeared accoutred in their suits of armour,' In Act I. Miss Doreen Rhodes, who made an appealing Francesca, wore a beautiful gown of magnolia silk velvet, heavily encrusted with pearls, silver beads, and diamante, a girdle of pearls, and a cap completed the bridal outfit.' In the second act she wore a graceful gown of pale pink, with a long train bordered with black key pattern, with silver and diamante trimming on the square-necked bodice. The cap was of silver. In Act IV. her gown was of gold brocade, with a long train, and touches of emerald in the sleeves. Miss Violet Livingston looked regal in her first frock, which was a period one of deep wine velvet, with long split sleeves showing cream quilted linings and a girdle of gold. In the succeeding acts Miss Livingston’s gown was of peacock green and gold brocade, worn with a flowing headdress of white georgette surmounted by a circlet Of diamante. As Nita, the maid. Miss Ethel Thomas appeared in a floral gown in shades of rose, with gold trimmings and headband andjveil, and later appeared in an attractive frock of shellpink brocade. Mrs Earle Johnson, whose performance of Angela, the blind servant, was most poignantly done, wore a graceful sweeping gown of black crepe de chene, with silver lace and a heavy black girdle. The long head veil of black had an attractive peak effect over the forehead. There were many other attractive gowns worn by the women in smaller parts, and the men’s dressing was in every way effective. Much thought, it appeared, had been given to the dressing and attractive grouping, and the whole effect was entirely satisfying, helping largely towards the very great success of the production.