"Sweet Lavender"

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 1, 17 July 1931, Page 5

"Sweet Lavender"

3 Act Play from 2YA

SIR ARTHUR PINERO’S threeact play "Sweet Lavender," which Mr. Clement May and his company will present from 2YA on July 16, is one of those light, charming dramas so very much in favour in the late Victorian period, when ladies wore side-

curls, bustles, and crinolines. In view of the preponderance of delightful humour which permeates the play, it is more often regarded in the light of a fairytale than a drama of real life. Certainly no one would more readily agree with this . than the author. Its representa~ tions, which have taken place. in almost every Englishspeaking country of the world, may be counted by thousands, while in London and New York scarcely a season passes ‘which does not see its revival, And the reason for this is’ not difficult to

find. It lies in genial humour of the play, and, in particular, the lovable nature of the weak-willed, down-at-heels Dick Fennell. Criticism from those who, perhaps, see its weakness in realism is disarmed by the simplicity and quaint pathos which characterises "Sweet Lavender" throughout. Mr. May, who is producing the play, will also appear as Dick Fennell, a part he has played several times abroad. He has selected a particularly fine cast for the radio performance.

The part of Lavender will be taken by Miss Dorothy Miller, who made such a charming Juliet on the evening of the recent Shakespeare Anniversary programme. Miss Leonore Polsford, who will play the part of Mrs. Giifiilian, has had considerable stage experience in the Old Country.

She has often appeared at the famous Daly’s Theatre, London, as well as in many provincial touring companies. Miss Rangehilde Mee has been cast as Minnie Gilfillian, while the somewhat pathetic part of Ruth Rolt, the housekeeper, will be taken by Miss Margaret O’Halloran (Mrs. Plank), who is the possessor of a very charming speaking voice. The juvenile lead of Clement Hale will be played by Mr. Robert Charlton, while Mr. John Storr, who is already _ well known to 2YA listeners, will appear

as Dr.’ Delaney. Mr. Kenneth Aitken will be heard as the American, Horace Bream, and the part of Bulger the barber will be taken by Mr. J. Watchman. Maw, the solicitor, will be portrayed by Mr. G. Cahill, and Geoffrey Wedderburn, one-time sweetheart of Ruth Rolt, by Mr. W. J. Mountjoy. "Sweet Lavender" should prove a fine evening’s entertainment, and should take old theatre-goers back to the time of quaint and wholesome plays, in which the sordid sex element, so common in dramas of to-day, is entirely absent.