Victor Gollancz's Place in the Publishing Sun

Radio Record, 3 July 1936, Page 24

Victor Gollancz's Place in the Publishing Sun

Praise for: Volumes of Famous Plays

][F Messrs. Victor Gollancz published nothing else but their biannual books of famous plays, they. would still be deserving of a con-. siderable place in the publishing’ sun. ’ These. volumes, starting back in the heyday of "Young Woodley" and "Journey’s. End," have advanced through’ years made notable by such productions .as "The Barretits of Wim-

pole Street," "Richard of Bordeaux," "The Wind. and the Rain,’ "Lover’s Leap" and "Night Must Fall." The 1935-36 volume is now to hand -and for almost the first time since We started reviewing this series, we must,carp and criticise. Perhaps it is that, in their haste to be early on the market, the publishers have made a less eareful choice than usual, but the fact remains that at least one of. the plays is certainly not deserving of the title "famous." ‘It is "Red Night,"

a war play that ig not in the same’. street as "Journey’s Enid," and whose chief claim to fame is that it was the ~ vehicle chosen by,’ Robert Donat for.his first excursion into London actor- . managership. But even ‘the prepossessing Mr. Donat couldn’t save the play, and it was withdrawn after. a comparatively short run. The. public has had enough of war plays just now. ; . Entertaining from beginning to end is, {Call It.a Day," .the new Dodie Smith play. ‘in, the collection. This girl seems: to have worked. like a Trojan since she left her shop counter, and her plays.are gaining in interest and strength ‘as she goes’ along. The play covers one day in the life of an average Tondon family-husband, wife, two daughters and a son-and the whole thing rings with spontatreity and -homeliness. The first play is "St. Helena," a col‘aboration between R. ©. Sherriff and Jeanne de Casalis, the famous actress. This play has some exceptional merits, but the London theatre public was apathetic. And- then it was given a personal recommendation through the London Press by .no less a person than Mr. Winston Churchill. Interest was immediately revived-so much so that the play has just concluded a most satisfactory run of six months, There is an American play in the book, "Awake and Sing," by Clifford Odets, an Irish play, "Katie Rocke," by Teresa Deevy, and Rodney Ack‘land’s latest "After October." Although this new volume doesn’t quite measure up to "Famous Plays of 1935" its variety lends it uncommon interest, "Hamous Plays of 1935-36." Various playwrights, Victor Gollancz. Our copy from the publishers.