"THE SKIN GAME"

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22496, 2 September 1938, Page 8

"THE SKIN GAME"

REPERTORY SOCIETY PRODUCTION

GOOD PORTRAYALS OF SOCIAL TYPES

Galsworthy’s “Skin Game,’’ which the Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society presented at the Radiant Hall last evening, with its leading characters tending to represent social types in the problems of English class relationships with which the play deals, offered a good opportunity for portrayals that could be consistently sustained throughout. The work of the players who take the characters most typically representing the two classes in the conflict of views and aims is, in fact, very thorough and convincing. This applies particularly to L. G. Pocock as Hornblower, Guy Cotterill as Hillcrist, and Marjorie Bassett as Amy, Hillcrist’s wife. The part of Hornblower as it is acted is a very vigorous character study, in which it is easy to arouse interest, perhaps because of the. nature of the man himself and its significance as being the cause of the whole situation that makes the story of the play; but, nevertheless, it is a part which is here given all the vitality it demands. That of Hillcrist is one requiring a much more restrained, if not more subtle delineation; at the same time it gives a great many opportunities for dramatic effect and emotional expression, and Mr (Jotterill’s performance is very sincere and affecting. The fact that where Hornblower is actuated by singleness of aim and obstinacy of purpose, while Hillcrist feels many doubts about his own position makes the latter role require more variation of interpretation, and if it does not dominate the play to the same extent as the other it is only because it is not so straightforward and easily grasped. The main difficulty for Professor Pocock was to avoid a lack of variety of reaction in the emotional scenes, and of Mr Cotterill to avoid deepening the emotional reactions unduly. ' • Marjorie Bassett played the part of Hillcrist’s wife with a precision and nicety and a delicate modulation of voice and gesture to indicate feelings which had to be expressed without very great emphasis. Valerie Haslam had a difficult part as Chloe, Hornblower’s daughter-in-law. It is a part that seems less well-conceived and developed by the author than any other in the play, its main significance being in the incidents of the plot rather than in the general theme. Mrs Haslam. however, gave it its full emotional value, especially in the scene between Chloe and Dawker. The part of Hillcrist’s daughter, Jill, not one of outstanding importance in Ihe development of the play, but offering some chances for spirited acting, was capably managed by Marian Smaill. Dawker (G. S. Salter) was a straightforward part* sometimes pleasantly amusing, sometimes emphasising the ruthless side of the man’s character. The smaller parts'were portrayed by a cast chosen with a good sense of :v----propriateness, and brought but an occasional piece of outstanding work, such as the mannerisms and voice of the auctioneer (Owen L. Simmance), and the general demeanour of the two strangers (Eric Cordecy and Douglas Dali). Hornblower’s two sons, Charles and Roy, were both capably done, but they are overshadowed in the play by the older characters. The production, which was in the hands of Nancy Nicholson, showed a good appreciation of what was most significant and evidence of good direction to the actors. . The play will be staged again tonight and to-morrow.