'His, Hers and Theirs’

Press, 15 March 1982, Page 6

'His, Hers and Theirs’

"His, Hers, and Theirs,” by Hugh and Margaret Williams. Presented by the Canterbury Repertory Theatre- Society at the Repertory Theatre, March 13 to 20. Directed by Brian Deavoll. Running time: 8 p.m. to 10.20 p.m. Reviewed by Philip Norman. Pre-marital sex. fertility drugs, abortion, communes, and square parents; oh, those heady,, turbulent days when multiple briths were a hip issue, marijuana a burning problem, and the generation gap a catch-phrase that symbolised all social ills. Such were the pre-occupa-tions of the 1960 s — meaty topics indeed that spawned a whole host of new literature, and-kept debating teams in subject material for years.

“His, Hers and Theirs.” is a play born of that environment. The heroine,/ Tanis O’Halloran (played by Beverley Mason) finds ’ herself

pregnant as a result of a causal acquaintance with a peripatetic actor (Quentin Rowe, played by Roy Holderness), Later, it is discovered that Tanis’s predicament is a result of a (presumably hard-of-hearing) doctor’s prescribing not the Pill, but a pill — for fertility. She seeks refuge with her godfather, Rupert Cardew (played by Arthur Chapman) and assisted by her grandmother (Lydia ffrench.’ Sed by .Beryl MacLeod) Rupert's, lover (Olivia Lucas, played by Olwyn Loudon) : the quartet works towards a solution to the problem of impending quadruplets for the solo mum. In spite of witty dialogue and clever twists in the plot, "His, Hers and Theirs” suffers from what could be called the. vintage wine syndrome — 1982 is not a good year for such a heavily topical play from the 19605. The issues discussed are too

dated for today's palates yet not dated enough to enter the period-piece class. Consequently it falls into a theatrical limbo, awaiting the first tingles of.nostalgia to ensure successful revival.

This aside, the Repertory production can still be enjoyed in its own right. There are good visual gags from Arthur Chapman (particularly where he exposes his stomach to scrutiny), some fine eccentric playing from Beryl MacLeod, and laudable workman-like .acting from Olwyn Loudon. Beverley iMason and Roy Holderness. once first-night nerves were overcome, settled into sensitive portrayals of imminent motherhood and fatherhood. Costumes by Madge Rands and the set designed by John Murphy were effective. A good-sized audience on opening night augurs well for a successful season.