Annotations of Annabel

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 20, 30 November 1928, Page 13

Annotations of Annabel

DEAREST: ; Mr. John Galsworthy is usually sometimes cynical, invariably ictuitive; "The Pigeon," presented in Wallington last week by the National BMepertory Society being an arresting and illuminating presentation of juxtaposition of well-meant, but abortive, effort on the part of social reformers and psychology of waster and wanderer, degenerate and down- . and-out, HE large audience at first was somewhat at a loss to grasp the spirit of the play, and inclined to be insistent upon farcical element; but, as the problem developed, interest quickened, and the unfolding of the plot was followed with keen and intelligent interest throughout. [NTO the studio of Christopher Wellwyn, lovable and unsystem‘atic doer of good deeds to the despair of pretty and practical daughter Ann -attractively played by Miss Thyra Baldwin--drift varied types from the street without; all beyond social pale, derelicts wandering the earth, unstable as water, and unable and unwilling to excel in a community whose god is Efficiency and objective the Main Chance, O Mr. Wauchop goes the palm for finished portrayal of vagabond Ferrand, that wise tramp and citizen of the world; a typically Galsworthian ereation in impetuous _ rebellion against things as they are, belief in the god of luck, insistence on seeking incentive in tramping the open road and avoidance of dust and ashes of conventional track. . Vitrioliec are his comments on organised institutions. Something they lack, those cold homes for sad and spiritless spindrift, tossed aside by winds of fate; something, it. would appear, of tolerance and comprehension of the human heart, "They waste their time," says Ferrand, in an impassioned arraignment, "trying to make rooks white! Do not try to change our skins, we wild ones!" It is wonderful, that speech in which he makes clear the

hatred of his class to organised interference; the hopelessness of reforming those who are predestined parasites and loafers from birth to death. R. Wauchop’s interpretation of this great part was a triumph of verisimilitude. Voluble, urbane, never at fault in accent or gesture; the cosmopolitan rover and dosser in many a casual ward lived and moved before the audience; and the accomplished exponent of the openeyed alien is to be congratulated on the most finished of his many successes in dramatic art. S the "Pigeon," that guileless soul, -prodigal of sympathy and liquor, Mr. BH. S. Baldwin showed himself true. to type in appealing portrayal; recalling beloved exemplars of those whom, mercifully, the poor have always with them. The inveterate hanger-on Timson, a cabby out of a job through onrush of progress and incursion of ubiquitous motor, finds consolation in the rum of the genial host. whom blandly he fleeces; and is irresistibly funny, as played by Mr, O. N. Gillespie. As was to be expected, this was an outstanding characterisation; the actor’s resonant voice, flair for drama and great sense of the comic being exemplified in high degree. HE luckless Guinevere, flower-girl and denizen of the dark, was acted well by Miss Mary Cooley, who struck no false note from initial draggletailed appearance until carried in after unsuccessful attempt to leave a world which has no use for her, but will not permit her to quit it. Great room for travesty in this role; but Miss Cooley played with truth and insight the poor little drah in her ignorance and deterioration, Cockney drawl and sudden, forlorn gaiety. S the youthful apache of a husband, Mr, Rogers transfixed attention by virile portrayal of salient characteristics, dogged persistence on point of view of the submerged, subtle suggestion of budding Bill Sykes. Olever and arresting work:

while Mr. Pope, as dignified cleric was impressive, and the rest of the capably-chosen cast extremely effective. O Labourite am I, neither Bolshevist nor Communist, Socialist nor Sybarite, bond nor free. A lover of tried paths, with leanings towards old order rapidly* disappearing, an aristocracy of code and conduct; yet at times assailed with a pang of pity, recurrent doubt of ultimate justice, futile regret for hardship of bruised and barren lives that abound even in our Fortunate Isles. UDOS is accorded to Miss Kathleen Woodward for overcoming prejudice of class and circumstance, rebellion of spirit induced by dark ways of violence and grinding want, and clear-eyed contemplation of ineptitudes of imperfect social order. Acter generous tribute to Queen Mary, in biography of that stately and well-beloved Lady, the ex-mill girl now publishes story of early struggle. "Jipping Street’ has authentic ring of sincerity of an "ower true tale." Listen to story of emergence into world of wageearners. "Armoured against hunger with four slices of bread and dripping, fortified with a few eurt words from mother, I walked over the interminable London Bridge in a pair of hockey boots picked up cheap. They had the oddest bumps on the soles and ankles, and I recall how, in pride of going to work for the first time, I said, ‘I won’t wear boots with bumps all over them.’ ‘Mind you don’t get a — bump somewhere else,’ said mother. And all the world gazed at my feet that day!’ Think of it, ye New Zealand maidens, who in nice silk stockings and almost reptilian shoes trip daintily to daily job in this land of hope and glory. Your

ANNABEL

LEE