"THE CIRCLE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 165, 14 July 1932, Page 3

"THE CIRCLE."

LITTLE THEATRE PRODUCTION A BRIGHT COMEDY. A bright play of the modern,- smart and cynical type was presented at the Concert Chamber last evening, when its twenty-sixth production was staged by the Auckland Little Theatre Society. The play selected was one of Somerset Maugham's comedies, "The Circle," the first of this playwright's works that the society has played. Like others of this author's productions it abounds in sparkling dialogue, intriguing situations, possessing likewise a smattering of philosophy and quite enough plot to sustain the interest of the audience. Whether it has sufficient "meat" in it to satisfy lovers of good drama is another matter; certainly it cannot be rated as intellectual fare with some of the society's selections. The theme dealt with is the familiar and rather worn one of matrimonial complications which commence with the runaway of Lady Champion Cheney with her husband's best friend. The first scene opens some 30 odd years later, and by a curious mingling of circumstances Lady Cheney and her first- and second husbands meet at the Dorset home of her son, Arnold Champion Cheney, M.P., and his young wife. The cast is cleverly introduced and when the volatile, vivacious Lady Cheney, steeped in artificialty, literally bursts upon the scene, the situation is entertaining. The play gei» its mine from the fact that Lady Cheney's son is in danger of losing his wife through the attentions of another visitor, Edward Luton. There is much clever and interesting dialogue and the author skilfully discusses whether Mrs. Elizabeth Cheney should heed "the advice rather than the example of her elders and stick to her husband. _ The circle is completed when the audience learns that the young wife has gone off with her lover. Viewed purely from the play-writing point of view the finale is both satisfactory and logical, but from the moralist's

aspect the ending leaves ample room for criticism. Art and orthodox morality, however, do not always go hand in hand.

The east, though adequate on the whole, was uneven. In the role of Lady Catherine Champion-Cheney Mrs. Sissie Phillips gave a vivacious performance. Mr. J. D. Swan as Lord Porteous was admirable. Gruff to the point of rudeness in the early part of the play he touched a minor key with excellent effect in the final act. Colonel B. Brittain was satisfactory in the role of the deserted husband, though over-posing at times detracted from his general success. Miss Maisie Free was obviously overweighted with the important role that had been allotted her. The part of Elizabeth Cheney called for acting ability to a degree that could not be expected from so young a performer. Most convincing in the cast was Mr. Fryer Raishcr. His physique, his clear resonant voice kept down to the ultra dignified deportment of a. somewhat priggish young Englishmen, all contributed to an excellent representation of Arnold Cheney. Mr. Harold Haines depicted Edward Luton as an irresponsible, rather eccentric individual, who appeared as the least likely in the world to persuade a charming young wife to leave her home on his account. Two minor characters, the butler by Mr. John Carpenter, anil Mrs. Shenstono by Mrs. Gwen Rose Youngs, completed the east. The setting, the drawing room of a home in Dorset, was notable for its original colour scheme. Period furniture was chosen to fit in with the collecting hobbv of the owner of the house. <V "suitable programme of orchestral items' was given' by Mrs. Eve Miller (piano), Miss Ina Bosworth (violin) and .Miss Mollv Wright (Velio). "The Circle" will be repeated tlllS evening and on the two following even-