DRAMATIC CRITICISM

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25272, 26 August 1947, Page 3

DRAMATIC CRITICISM

Sir, —Having read the article by your critic on the repertory production “Widowers’ Houses,” and having been a member of the audience at Saturday evening’s presentation, I feel, in fairness to the artists, I cannot allow such obviously unfair criticism to pass without expressing some comment. Constructive criticism of an amateur production is to be expected, and is invariably appreciated, but destructive criticism, such as appeared in “The Press” to-day by your critic, is in my opinion, neither helpful nor in this case justified. I am sure that amateur artists welcome constructive criticism, but I feel that a dramatic critic, to be helpful, should take a course in dramatic art before expressing such views as appeared in the criticism in “The Press” to-day.— Yours, etc., ULVA QUARRELL. August 25, 1947.

Sir, —I have sometimes felt your critic is a little hard on the local Repertory Society, but after witnessing Saturday night’s performance of “Widowers’ Houses” I now envisage him as a kindly old gentleman enveloped by whiskers no less benign looking than Mr Shaw’s own. The question is “Who selects these plays?” If it is the producer, then he has earned his rightful reward in your criticism. If it is a committee, then at least they should have the good grace to resign before the membership requests them to do so. I felt sorry for the players. Their talents could have been used so much more entertainingly. I found “Widowers’ Houses” neither entertaining nor cultural—a most extraordinary choice!—Yours, etc., E. BERRY. August 25, 1947.