‘Waltz’ great fun

Press, 26 November 1981, Page 6

‘Waltz’ great fun

“Waltz of the Toreadors,” by Jean Anouilh, directed by Brian Brodie for the Elmwood Players. November 25 to December 5. ’ Running time: 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. Reviewed by Richard Corballis.

By putting on “The .Waltz of the Toreadors” at .the same time as the Court offers “Ring Round the Moon,” the Elmwood Players are giving us the opportunity to compare one of Anouilh’s “grating” plays (“Waltz”) with one of his “brilliant” ones — the labels are the author’s own.

.Both plays are great: fun, and they have many details in common, including'a catfight between two young women. But “Waltz” is more serious, more “grating.” It depicts an ageing General (Arthur Chapman), whose: fondness for thrusting

his hand (and more) beneath petticoats is at odds with his longing to make peace with his “soul.” This involves consummating a 17-year-old attachment ’ with Ghislaine (Dorothy Hart-Brown), a dark beauty who dotes on him.

His strident wife stands in his way from the start. But the General’s shy and celibate young secretary (Dale Grey) turns out-to be a more formidable ’ blocking-char-acter. “ ' ' ;■

So the General’s quest for “soul" is ultimately frustrated, and he ends up fumbling withiydt another petticoat.-; I. -"? •

There is comedy in this conclusion,'of course, but it is comedy' of a very cynical kind:- The portrait, of General St. Pe.: is ..ultimately a deep arid’ ‘‘‘grating” oiie. - Realising- this,. the pro-

ducer, Brian Brodie, eschewed the kind of stylisation adopted by Elric Hooper for “Ring Round the Moon.” In the long and taxing role of the General Arthur Chapman performed very capably.

A rather eccentric performance was given by Guus de Koster, who played Doctor Bonfant, the General’s \confidant and, it would seem, the latest seducer of his wife.

Mr de Koster has a wonderful stage presence, but he tends to be a slow-starter who reaches. top gear only in the latter stages of a season., The two principal women’ Mary de. Koster .(St Pe’s wife) and HartBrown, . gave excellent performances. ■.

Dale Grey, with the difficult role of an. Anouilh heroic innocent, responded (’very well. . . , , ....