“Outward Bound”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 382, 16 June 1928, Page 24

“Outward Bound”

Description of a Fascinating Play PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE •■Outward Bound,” which is to be produced by the Auckland Little Theatre Society at the Concert Hall on July 5, should be the most interesting production to date. The following article, written in an English publication by Mr. Vincent Gording, describes this fascinating play. It is difficult to recall any stage presentation within the past 25 years which has caused more discussion in the ranks of “enquiring laymen” thah that of “Outward Bound.” Sutton Vane, the author, does not see himself and us as helpless pawns in some foolhardy game played by the immortals. His philosophy offers us free choice of Heaven or Hell —yet, even from those who choose wrongly, the hand of hope is never completely withheld. The Opening Scene The curtain rises, in “Outward Bound,” on the smoke-room of a liner which is about to leave port. As the voyage begins, we meet a small but varied assortment of passengers. There is Mr. Prior, a young “man-about-town,” who, having encountered disillusion in many forms, now indulges from dawn to dark the unattractive hobby of mixing whisky with cynicism. There is Mrs. ClivedenBanks, a social snob whose career has degenerated into a panorama of ornamental inutility. There is the Rev. William Duke, a pleasant young clergyman who lias been working in a slum parish—over-working, in fact, so that the present voyage has become necessary, as he explains for health reasons. We meet, also, two strongly contrasted types —Mrs. Midget, a wistful little charwoman from Bethnal Green;

and Mr. Lingley, a business man with a shameful record of double-dealing. There are also Anna and Henry, two lovers, and a quietly-spoken steward named Scrubby. The voyage is continuing smoothly when young Mr. Prior, during a stroll on deck, makes a horrifying discovery. Neither captain nor crew can be seen, and the ship carries no lights. It dawns upon him that every one of the passengers is dead, and that they are all journeying from earth to Heaven—or Hell. We are shown, very skilfully limned, the effect on each of the voyagers as the news is broken. Prior himself is in a panic. Conscious of mauy sins, he wonders whether he will be given a second chance. “No one has ever given me a second chance,” says Mr. Lingley. “I shall never expect one. I shall never ask for one.” He makes instant arrangements for a committee meeting, at which the passengers are to discuss how they will defend themselves in the face of judgment. Mrs. Midget is not greatly troubled. “Ladies and gents, all I want to know is this, and I really don’t know what's goin’ on. But if it ’as ’appened, it would greatly please me to know that I’ve been done proper. . . . You know, the street, the neighbours, the sherry wine and cake—and flowers.” Meanwhile, Mrs. Cliveden-Banks has 'changed into evening dress, determined to be found at her best when the voyage ends; and the Rev. William Duke so far relaxes the dignity ’.of his calling as to utter a mild oath ■ <yr two. Only Anna and Henry, the lovers, taike no part in the discussions. They, it vs later revealed by Scrubby, the steward, who is in charge of the ship, are “half-ways”—suicides who, because they were afraid to face the testin.iT-time of life, may not be permitted to land at the end of the voyage. The s?\Hip touches land, and scrubby announce s to the hushed group in the smoke-roe m that “the Examiner” has come abot’.rd. Mrs. Cliveden-Banks is twirling her lorgnettes with a wellprepared a mile', Mr. Lingley, in Napoleonic Y>ose, gets ready to talk business. Y oung Prior is trembling, the parson wondering whether “they shouldn’t all sstand at attention or something,” .Mrs. Midget sitting quietly.

' The Examiner is a stout and smiling parson. Alis very presence strips the veil of terror from death. Each one of the passengers is instantly reassured by the friendly earthiness of the Ex aminer. After that the judgment. One by one these dead ones are told that, while on earth, they It ad determined

by their varying modes of life whether their immediate destination is to be Heaven or Hell. The Rev. William Duke finds that there is a parish waiting for him in the next world, where the w'ork he loved in life is ready to his hand. Prior, it is discovered, is really the son of little Mrs. Midget, although he does not know it. He learns joyfully that there is a tiny cottage waiting where, under the old charwoman’s care, he may find regeneration. For Mrs. Cliveden-Banks and Mr. Lingley there must be punishment, but the punishment need not last for ever. They will be given every chance to rebuild and, having done so, to forget. Even for the suicide lovers there is hope. In an epilogue it is revealed that they are not really dead. The gas fumes which were meant to end their lives have merely overpowered them. They return to life, armed with new courage to work out their destiny.

Sir Harry Lauder arrived in Loudon from his American tour with additions to his famous collection of walkingsticks. One of these was specially grown for him. For 15 years an American enthusiast tended the growing plant, and this year cut it and presented the twisted stem to Sir Harry. “My collection of sticks now totals between 300 and 400,” said Sir Harry to a Press representative.

Equity, the American stage organisation, has banned Jeanne Eagles until September, 1929, and fined her 3,600 dollars for persistent insubordination in “Her Cardboard Lover,” while that play was on the road. Miss Eaglea played the tumbled worian in “Rain” for so long on Broadway that she’ll never lose the huskiness from her voice. Equity is all powerful in such matters, because it means that any manager who presents Miss Eagles for the next year and a half will break with Equity, and that is commercial suicide. Likewise, it would be professional suicide for any player to team up with Jeanne. The insubordinate lady says that she has her plans; but then, what woman hasn’t!

J. C. Williamson, Ltd., announce that it is organising a new company to appear in an American play called "The Patsy.” This singular title (which seems to have been selected because it is unusual, and therefore likely to atract attention) is said to be an Americanism for a type that corresponds with the English -‘Cinderella.’' The leading part will be played by Irene Homer, who has had parts in Broad way piays, and is said to have been selected for the new parr by the author of the play.

The cast which supported Fred Terry and Julia Neilson in “The Scisriet Pimpernel” at the King Georges Pension Fund for actors and actresses on May 14 in London was an imposing one. All Violet Loraine had to o was to help Mr. Terry on with coat. Others who played tiny P* r were: Fay Compton, Franklin Df George Grossmith, Nelson Keys, M. Lion, Owen Nares, Lady Tree a Ernest Truex. Over 30 stars a peared in the cast.

Mr. John Fuller, who has returned to Australia after near , two years’ world tour, has his intention of visiting Ne * hil about the middle of June. Durmfc visit abroad Mr. Fuller has s °“ t ,- on thoroughly into theatre con- , con . as planned in the great cit expe rt siders himself something o ala!! d on the matter. While in- of ,j, e the almost complete demolit Princess Theatre. Dunedin, gone into and aii imposi g place to-date building erected in a i;0ll . This will not necessarily fuller Plete reorganisation of New Zealand circuit, as P j egt TS can be placed at Hi- ‘ J alsTheatre, which Dunedin boubelougs to the firm.