A SLAP IN THE FACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 261, 4 November 1929, Page 6

A SLAP IN THE FACE.

Because Mr. Hannen Swaffer, dramatic critic of the "Daily Express," criticised her performance in "Conscience," Mies Lilian Foster smacked his face whole-heartedly "on behalf of America." Mr. Swaffer's offence seems to have consisted in the fact that he had likened Miss Foster's voice to that of a ventriloquist's doll. Different dolls, as manipulated by different ventriloquists, have voices of varied tone and quality. As a rule the female, doll affects a rather squeaky and highpitched voice, but occasionally these performing figures sing quite nicely. There does not seem to be anything particularly libellous in likening a human voice on the stage to the same voice as transmitted so as to appear to come from a mechanically-operated doll. But why "on behalf of America"? If every criticism of things American is to be visited with personal chastisement inflicted on behalf of that sensitive nation, people will have to seek the protection of gas masks or visored helmets. The husband of a famous English singer once smacked the face of a critic who had had the temerity to criticise his wife's performance. That is more understandable than if he had claimed to have done it on behalf of Great Britain. Editors, commenting adversely on any performer from the United States, would have to take refuge in armoured turrets or some similar form of defensive habitation. But it is doubtful if the people of America would always appreciate the implied claim that their actors and actresses represent fairly and completely the United States and are entitled to resent personal criticism as criticism of their country. It would indeed be strange if this touchiness were to , spread and if the English doll of an English ventriloquist were to resent the implication that its voice resembled that of Miss Lilian Foster. Critics will have to walk warily in the future if verbal criticism is to be visited by facial punishment. The critic will literally seek to save his face. —W.M.