“PYGMALION”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 223, 9 December 1927, Page 15

“PYGMALION”

MISS MURPHY’S SUCCESS LAURELS FOR LITTLE THEATRE “Pygmalion,” a romance in five acts by George Bernard Shaw. Produced last evening at the Concert Chamber by the Little Theatre Society. CAST: Clara Biddy Philcox Mrs. Eynsford-Hill Ethel Rae Freddie Fred McCallum Liza Lynda Murphy Colonel Pickering "A. T. Keegan Henry Higgins E. E. Addis Mrs. Pearce Peggy Hovey Doolittle Dan Flood Mrs. Higgins Susan Moncrieff McCallum Manning May Cleal Once again the Little Theatre Society has given us an evening of Shaw fireworks and epigrams and philosophy. How he laughs at us with the philosophy he puts into the mouth of his dustman! How thoroughly he dislikes middle-class morality! Plow he makes us think!

Shaw is the satirical master. In “Pygmalion” he tilts at the Englishman’s use of his own language as he has tilted at most things English.

Any old belief is turned topsy-turvy, for that is Shaw’s plan. Sometimes one wonders whether he has not done it with his tongue in his cheek, knowing that few will have the temerity to criticise him. Liza is an astonishing creation. So for that matter is Higgins, the professor of phonetics. He takes the little Cockney girl from the gutter and makes her a lady, making a fool of class distinction to begin with. In a few acts he shows us Liza’s metamorphorsis. First her acquisition of a perfect accent which lasts only for a few moments, then her approach to I perfection when her grammar slips only in moments of excitement, and lastly the finished product, which is unable to go back to the language of the gutter and the slums or its people. As momentary relief from the central theme we get odd glimpses of Shaw’s idea of the society folk at home, and he does not make heroes of them. Perhaps the real hero of the play is the dustman, but then Shaw is always the revolutionary; an intellectual stimulant. He is eloquent, witty and provocative, three fine gifts which he uses with great force. • Once more the Little Theatre has I given us an excellent production. Mr. Kenneth Brampton has chosen I his players with the skill which one ! now associates the society’s productions, and the stage settings have been ! done with extreme taste. The result j is satisfactory in every' way. 1 But why, oh why does Mr. Brampton 1 dislike the use of the word ■•bloody”.?

One expects it from Shaw. In the ! play it stands like a monument; its \ effect is electrical. Those three words j “Not—bloody—likely” should fall with j a sledge hammer blow. They created i a sensation when “Pygmalion” was ! first performed in London, and are \ milestones in Liza’s education. Alas, Miss Murphy simply gabbled “Not- i bloodylikely” half audibly and dashed ! off the stage. The second use of the word was expunged from the script altogether. And that is the only fault we have to find with the production. “Pygmalion” is Miss Murphy’s triumph, and she wore her laurels with charming ease. A clear voice production and grace of deportment are essential to success—Miss Murphy has them both. Her Cockney was a girl of the slums; her “lady” perfect in voice and behaviour. Both were clothed in Miss Murphy's wistful charm. Mr. Addis conquered a tremendous role for an amateur. He was as aggressive as Shaw intended he should be, and his acting was admirably re- I strained. It was a splendid debut, for • 1 without care the part could become i monotonous. Perhaps a professor of phonetics would be a little more care- j ful about the use of “to” and “you.” Mr. Addis was apt to wedge them into ; the succeeding words. Mr. Flood carried off the comedy honours. His work in the second act was excellent in de- . livery and effect. Mrs. McCallum gave I us the quiet, dignified and intelligent ; acting one has come to expect from j her. The supporting cast was admirable. Mr. Keegan, though always in the shadow of Higgins, invested his character with life. Miss Hovey gave us a delightful character study as a modest housekeeper. Mr. McCallum’s “silly ass” was a well-turned cameo. Miss Philcox made a charming figure : of a small part, and Miss Rae suited J her role to the proper spirit. [ “Pygmalion” will be presented for three more evenings. It leaves one I pleasantly anticipating the work vi | the society next season* -