"MR PIM PASSES BY."

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18186, 24 September 1924, Page 10

"MR PIM PASSES BY."

♦ A FINE PERFORMANCE. VANBRUGH-BOUCICAI'LT SEASON. In "Mr Tim Passes By. - ' the London Comedy Company, with Irene "S anbrugh and Dion Boucicault in the distinguished lead, reveal still further the power and perfection of their dramatic and comedy art. The play is the handiwork of Mr A. A. Milne (A.A.M. of "Punch") and was created with the idea of providing Miss Yanbrugh and Air Boucicault with parts for the full exereiso of their characteristic talents. The plot itself is marked by a refreshing simplicity and the comedy developments are most skilfully arranged. At the back of all lurks a most subtle dramatic element. The dialogue is bright, and at times witty. The outstanding featuro of the play as presented for the first time last night, before a crowded, intent and altogether appreciative audience, was the remarkable characterisation of the leading figure, Mr Pim, as played by Mr Boucicault. The part was really sui juris so far as the main action of the play was concerned, for Mr Pim was but the medium for the introduction of an alarming piece of news which affected vitally the status of other parties to whom he was practically a stranger. Bo emphatic was the characterisation, however, that the play without that part, worked in the way it was, would lose, if not its dramatic interest, certainly much of its leading comedy. Mr Pim, by the make up and general conduct, was a lovablo qld-fashioned gentleman of the Professor type, full of Old World politeness, and "a desire to please, hut afflicted patently by imperfect recollection and mental bewilderment. -It was a part wliich, bv its remarkable nature, bristled with difficulties, and overflowed with opportunities, and Mr Boucicault gave to it an interpretation which certainly gave one the impression of being unexcellable. In fact so dominant did the part become that it really became the play—a most curious inversion, admissible only m circumstances very special. From his first innocent entry to the home of a "country J.P., through a series of visits, to his'-final departure, having in the meantime raised" and allayed many alarums and excursions, Mr Pim in the hands of Mr Boucicault was throughout «. character the like of which, is seldom seen. Mr. Boucicault's performance was ,a triumph; of characterisation and dramatic art, and it held the audience spellbound. .The plot of the play was carried through in the main by Miss Irene Yanbrugh as Olivia Marden and Mr C. M. Hallard as George Marden, J.P. To them came the alarming intelligence from Mr Pim that the lady's first husband, "believed to have died years before in a distant land, was in reality alive. The subtle manner in which Miss Vanbrugh manipulated' the dramatic element involved in such a, disclosure was the big success in an altogether splendid part. The later admission from the same Mr Pim that he was wrong in his facts left the lady free to develop to the full her fine faculty for good comedy. Mr C. M. Hallard as the husband, stupidly conscientious during the crisis, was never otherwise than pleasing in the maimer he adopted in presenting the man. It was a part which appeared heavy, but was not so. Miss Janet Eccles as Dinah and Mr Martin Walker as Brian Strange, two lovers, provided all tha romance required and" were also of assistance in directing further attention to the personality of (to them) the enigmatic Mr Pim. Miss Lena Halliday as Lady Marden, a stalwart aunt, consulted during a family conclave when the problem raised by the Pim -revelations was discussed, and Miss Ethel Wellesley as Anne, an ever efficient maid, played-their parts in «. manner worthy of their celebrated leaders.

"Mr Pim Passes By" will be re'peated to-night.

'THE SECOND MRS TANQUERAY'

One of the most important productions of the Irene Vanbrugh-Dion Boucieault season will be Sir Arthur Pinero's famous drama, "The Second Mrs.Tanqueray," which is to be staged on Friday, Saturday, .and Monday. Miss Vanbrugh will appear as Paula Tanqueray, in which she has scored one pf. her .greatest triumphs, and Mr Boucieault. will again present his brilliant portrayal of Cayley Drummle. On Tuesday next and the four following evenings "Aren't We All?" will be staged. The plans for tho season are at The Bristol.