Repertory Production Of Fascinating Play

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 13

Repertory Production Of Fascinating Play

“The Golden Fleece,” the latest production of the Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society, which opened at the Repertory Theatre last evening, is a fascinating, if somewhat sentimental play. It has a curious plot, and one that is all the more compelling in that it seems to come so naturally from very ordinary circumstances. Nor, at first sight, does it appear that the people mainly concerned have anything unusual about them. They are just the staff and some of the guests at a provincial hotel. A little more investigation, however, shows that one or two people at “The Golden Fleece” have very specialised talents, which complicate the lives of those about them to a remarkable degree. For at least two of the three acts, the play is quite a puzzle. Act 111 is not perhaps so original; but the universal joviality it displays makes up for everything else: and the cast carried it off splendidly. Seventeen actors appear in “The Golden Fleece,” and the society and the producer have taken the opportunity to introduce some new players to the public. Last evening both the new and the betterknown actors showed ample evidence of careful rehearsal. George Taylor was particularly good as William Lotless, the versatile night porter. Mr Taylor excels at quick changes of mood and variation of timing; and he is particularly suited to a play where there are so many opportunities for sudden dramatic reverses. It should certainly be said that this actor brings a great deal to such a part. Isobel Wilkin, too. was well cast as Molly Cudden. There is a range of emotion here which makes the role formidable. However, this actress was able to manage both the laughter and the tears, and, in addition, she brought out Molly’s general amiability in a natural unforced way. The third major part was that of the young doctor. Alec Rothbury. Colin Harman acted well, in that he did give the idea of a dour young man gradually coming

out of bis shell. His scenes with Isobeu Wilkin and George Taylor were always agreeable and amusing. As Veronica Frensham, Jill Chapman certainly looked the part, but was sometimes inaudible. Another player who must have pleased everybody was Gerald Wilson as Genge. Genge served the drinks in the lounge, and the expressions on his face, though fleeting, were eloquent. Patrick Tuxford and Shirley Kingston did not have a great deal to do in “The Golden Fleece”; but the small scenes in which they appeared were distinctive. Frederick Betts, too, contrived to be the personification of a hard-headed North-of-England businessman and spoke his lines with decision and point. Good performances were also given by Trevor Pitts, in one of those eccentric roles which appeal to him; and by the producer. Heath Joyce. Mr Joyce invested the part of Lord Fleetwood with the utmost suavity. It only remains to say that bright acting, a well-devised setting and confident production should commend ‘‘The Golden Fleece” to everyone in search of light entertainment. —C.E.S.