ANNA RUSSELL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27632, 13 April 1955, Page 14

ANNA RUSSELL

ANOTHER HILARIOUS PERFORMANCE

Once again the Civic Theatre was filled with delighted and hilarious people when Anna Russell gave an incomparable performance last evening. Quite apart from the astonishing funniness of it all there is much to marvel at and to think upon quite soberly in what she has given us. However, this is impossible now, when for two hours one has been quite exhausted with laughter. Anna Russell is unique. We have had lots of comedians. There have been specifically musical comedians. One has never before, however, experienced such versatility in one person in this particular field. If one lived Methusaleh’s span one would not forget, nor cease to be grateful for, such an evening’s sheer joy. In a troubled and tired and incredibly silly world, there should be some special form of thanksgiving for Anna Russell.

As there is no-one with whom to compare her in her own field, we have to look elsewhere for comparisons. Underlying her art there is much of the genius of Thurber, and of W. W. Jacobs, the barb of Dorothy Parker, the flashing insight of J.' B. Morton; and there is much that suggests Bateman and Rowland Emmett. But these can only help to explain. It is not possible in print to describe her performance—so varied and so perfectly put across to each member of the audience individually—and to do so inadequately would be basely ungrateful. —C.F.B.