THE STAGE VAN DRUTEN COMEDY

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28216, 2 March 1957, Page 2

THE STAGE VAN DRUTEN COMEDY

Repertory Society Production

John van Druten’s comedy, “Bell, Book, and Candle,” which was presented at the Repertory Theatre last evening by members of the Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society, was followed with interest throughout by an appreciative audience. Everyone would agree that the theme of this play is wildly improbable. Nevertheless it has a touch of fantasy which, together with the playwright’s talent for contriving curious situations, must always make it a fascinating play to see. “Bell, Book, and Candle” was a splendid production with which to open another year of the Repertory Society’s work.

The cast is a small one, and even so the greater part of the action centres on the two leading players. As for the other actors, the rapid sequence of exits and entrancees doubtless tended to emphasise the originality or eccentricity of their words and actions, but it says much for those taking these smaller parts that they managed as well as they did to establish in the minds of the audience the characters they portrayed. As Gillian Holroyd, the witch, Jacqueline Gale acted with a vivacity that was always finely controlled, and with considerable feeling for the urgency of the dramatic moment. Particularly notable was the actual movement with which she filled the part; and it may be remarked that not everyone could act with such apparent impetuosity and still communicate accurately so wide a range of emotions.

Desmond Smith played opposite Miss Gale. Mr Smith’s wide experience as an amateur actor enabled him to make Shepherd Henderson a clearly-defined character with traits of his own and with an air of distinction besides. For the purposes of “Bell, Book, and Candle,” Mr Smith’s voice even appears to have taken on a new and not unpleasing quality.

Alan Shaw, on the other hand, may have found himself a trifle cramped as Nicky Holroyd, Gillian’s brother. A series of short appearances on stage did not give him much opportunity of making the role of a twentieth century Warlock particularly credible. Indeed, all the magical background of ’’Bell, Book, and Candle.” which the playwright seemed at times to regard with some seriousness, threatened to collapse when Nicky and his aunt, played by Jean Muirhead, brought a certain spirit of comedy on stage with them. This scarcely matched the rather sinister powers that Gillian possessed, and the contrast wa§ marked throughout the play. As Sidney Redlitch, described in the programme as “a writer,” Fred Masters had only a small part to play; but it was one which suited him admirably. Mr Redlitch serves only the slightest of purposes in “Bell, Book, and Candle”; but he has his own way of drinking whisky and an apologetic manner for getting out of difficulties. Mr Masters was at his best in this role. On the other hand the cat. Pyewacket, was obviously far too amiable to have anything to do with witchcraft. “Bell, Book, and Candle” was produced by Frank Newman.” C.E.S.