A PLAYFUL PLAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 April 1923, Page 4

A PLAYFUL PLAY.

•‘THE LAUGHING LADY." In the hierarchy of contemporary British dramatists Mr Alfred .Sutro does not, perha])s, occupy a place in the foremost order. But he can turn out a workmanlike play with a well-knit plot, effective characterisation, and a skilfullv contrived denouement such as are to he found in “Tlie Laughing Lady.” This, apparently, has not yet been produced on the stage, hut it reads well, says a reviewer. , and should act well. The interest is not concentratea upon one or two protagonists, hut is •uniformly distributed over the caste, and many of the subordinate parts are excellent studies. The curtain rises on a promising situation. The scene is Hamilton Playgatc’s drawing-room; the time, the evening of the day on which f-:klv -Marjorie Colladine hasbeen divorced by her husband on the ground of infidelity. The telephone rings, and Hamilton goes to the instrument. D is Lady Marjorie speaking, vke "as to have dined with a pillar of rank and fashion, hut the latter has put her nil' with an excuse that is obviously a subterfuge. Lady Marjorie I'eai-s that she is gioug to he ostra-ei-e<i. She feels very miserable and lonely. May she come and (line with the I’lavgates, who are her oldest friends. Hamilton, who is the soul oi kindne-s and toleration, at once agrees, and the matter is settled. Then, to his horror, he learns I ruin his wife (who is also well disposed to Marjorie) that they are having a dinner partv that evening;, and, worst of all. that the of honour i- Daniel Farr, K.G.. whose ruthless eros-ex-aminatioii of Fade Marjorie that altcrnooti wit- responsible for the verdict against her. They try to get into touch with her again, hut she has already gone. All that they iandois lo 1.-ivo le with the bill ler warning | her whom she will meet, and to ex-i plain the (■irclimstatu'os to ihe guests : as they arrive. The latter receives the ! news in a ( liara' terist ie lashion. Fonie I think that the eontreleinps is rather a ; joke: some are really suit,' lor lmr. j Vo one h.'lim. es in her innocence, j though some nre prepared lo pretend to j

her that they do. Then enters l ady I i Marjorie, resolved lo iaee the music { | and cany things oil' with a high head. I j The most embarrassed person in the j . ’ room i' the K.C.. hut she soon ptris j him at his en-. Tlie evening is most ! success! ul. I .ad \ Marjorie Hom a ; spiiii revenge I sets hers'el to eajitivaie her isle lorinciitor. lie succumbs j ' in her clnirui. and behaves in a manner j j quite out of character for an cldcrli | : herrisier f itii a devoie.l " ife anil : : el'ildreii. He n. -.!..(• s lu-r his (eiilidnnte. ' asks hei to advise him on the (|iieslion ‘j whether lie shall ouicr I’arlianient, and ‘ j ariauges to rail upon her next day for j ! i I ui', a ceii nil a I ion. 1 : I la- following, a! lei llnllll al hei liilt j ; Die plo* thickens. 'lo soeii- men a di- j ' ] is a fell,:"-guest (o the previous even- j i ing mal-.. - her a. shameful proposal, i 'j 11 a; ii I v li.is ie spoken "hen her litis- I j baud e ;>!"■('■ 's no the scene. lie had j j I,'cell otit of England lor a considerable | | period. and iim;ituici 1 proceedings j ■j against hi' wife by cable at Die inslig-j •i unci, of hi' mother and sister, ami see-; in- her lev the lir-t tim - .since hi' re-; 1 Ill'll in the wil ness box, is convinced of j her innocence. The slimy Harrison Peter- i.- prompt iy given Id i conge, 1 thankful lo es.-ape v. iln a "hole shin. | 1 ami then llet-tor ( olladiue makes, liiej ! amende holiorahle. and hesecrlie- Mai-j ! joiic in entile hack Io him. She re- j i|. By a qiie.-r reversal in ink'- j i ! . iinni,s a: e i nii'-lrd l" make . ■ 1,- i r- ■ -ii .der her de- i-'mi. She i;.iu | m i I ■ i:mi e.l, Aod then, (die; some j •ei b• | ma peeiiei ing with Fa rr. sin- j I I iII - that her design Ims sin "ceded. ; il i- iii.'al tin ted with lwr. lie "iii give up career, wife, and family, every- | l long |.. "in Ler. But iln discovery i i In ii,."- her no l riumph Im -he !ia - been , : linis t v. ill, her mi n pel aid. ‘'.die had j ; begun ie. play in ■; "uh him. 'ui the | ;■ a Uie j-;is Ia I- H 11 sei lolls llll'll and lioV, i she i' iii line wiih him! Tlie appeals j of his v. ile are va l n. hut Hamilton ! Playgale's iiiterveiii imi i more ini:l-i fill. 111 Die ell'l Ihe level ' !'• solve to | take Die hard path oi si 11-ahucgniioit. j She in return to her "dull" liiish.-iml. j ie In Id' wife and the prosaic routine ! |ol lii' v.mk. Mrrbdro is more stieee>:l ill v. ilh ihe oilier eh:!raeters than wiDi ; the i'ci'iuii:'. I d' Marji rie i- in nm iiy ! ".iy-- a very nt tr.i'-tive pi eoii "iii: h"! i vivaeiou • -ieir’de an I glii ler. Bui slv dees on: >ai i , \ i Ip. reader Diet she is : capable ol very de o elniilii.ui.