THE STAGE BRIGHT COMEDY

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26528, 17 September 1951, Page 3

THE STAGE BRIGHT COMEDY

“ WORM’S EYE VIEW * PRESENTED ‘

The company of “Worm's Eye View,” which was presented for the first time in New Zealand at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, should win the deep affection of theatre-goers, and if it does not do excellent business on its tour New Zealanders are poor judges indeed of light entertainment. “Worm's Eye View” is two hours and a half of delicious nonsense. It tells of the tribulations of a group of Royal Air Force men billeted in a house in an English seaside town. The success of this play depends even more than is, usual on the capabilities of those performing it. The bitter humour oi some of Noel Coward’s plays, for instance, could be read and enjoyed, but “Worm’s Eye View” would not hold all the humour, in cold print, that >t does with a group of competent actors performing it. To many the R.A.F. slang, and ditties, and the service customs, will bring back memories, most of which are treasured. But one need never have even heard of the R.A.F. to enjoy “Worm’s Eye View.” The chief virtues of the piece are that it does not attempt too much, and that the characters in it are completely real. Among the most important of them are the Cockney whose penchant for “making something on the side” is a delightful vehicle for fun, the excitable little Welshman, the young man with aspirations as a Don Juan, the older man, confidant of the others, and the young idealist. These people were found In nearly every R.A.F. billet during the war, and they were faithfully brought to life on Saturday evening by an enthusiastic and capable cast The humour of the play is often not far removed from farce, and every ounce of fun was extracted from R. F. Delderfield’s airy nonsense. Excellent use was made of the device of “freezing” the action for a few moments to accentuate the more ridiculous of the situations.

Leading a highly successful team was William Hodge, as the Cockney, Porter, and it would be difficult to praise his performance too highly. There is something irresistible about the perky, irrepressible humour of the Cockney, and Hodge was really magnificent. He explains himself quite adequately in his reply when he is congratulated on the success of some small and rather dubious transaction. “That’s nothing,” he says. “You ought to hear me sell 50 tins of baked beans to a bloke that wants to buy a motor-bike.” Hodge’s work in the hilarious second act reached great heights, and he was never anything but first class. Bobby Mack, an old friend of New Zealand audiences, shared many of the laughs with Hodge in his role of the Welshman, which he played excellently. Gordon Chater. as “The Duke.” the young man with the liking for the fleshpots, was convincingly exuberant, and Harty Moreny, as the young men's counsellor. and Richard Meikle, who. with Lola Brooks, supplies the romantic interest, were both completely competent

Brandon Cremer was extraordinarily good in the first act as Mr Bounty, the lusband of the vinegary, unwilling hostess to the airmen, but in the last scene he seemed a little out of touch. Barbara Brandon was excellent as the inaptly-named Mrs Bounty, and her acidulous presence was an essential for the full value of the airmen’s fun to be achieved. Lola Brooks was a pleasantly unsophisticated Bella Bounty, and the smallest part in the play was one of the best played. This was Lloyd Cunningtun as the R AJ*, police corporal. Maree Mardsen -was not quite at home as the. housemaid, and -she- sometimes left her breed Lancashire dialect a thousand miles away. During the intervals J- KirkBurnnand revived some pleasant memories with his pianoforte selections. “Worm’s Eye View” is an entertainment that should not be missed. The times are such that a few hours of sheer fun are doubly welcome, and this play gives enjoyment in Very full measure. It will be repeated each •vening this week.