LONDON THEATRES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 8

LONDON THEATRES

Robert Donat in “Red Night” NOEL COWARD’S ONE-ACT PLAYS “i.T-ide and Prejudice, ’ the mld-\ ietorian novel by June Austen, as iliainatised by Helen Jerome, is still running along merrily at St. James s Theatre, London, and is likely to do so, writes a correspondent. This play is such a refreshing change from the studied smartness and modern indelicacies of several well-known writers for the stage, that its beautiful English, its sound philosophy and the interesting characters make it a rare theatrical dish for the matured taste. Robert Douglas, of “'Jen Minute Alibi,” has produced another pleasing teasing entertainment of the detectional order in "No Exit,” now at. tit. Martin’s. . , A very beautiful performance is attributed to Flora Robson in Maty Tudor” at the Playhouse. Joyce Bland and Lawrence Anderson are in the cast. Robert Donat, who was so good tn that sterling comedy picture, "The Ghost, Goes West,” is being featured at The Queen’s in "Red Night,” a comedydrama'by J. L. Hodson. Of this show James Agate wrote in the “Sunday Times”: "I came as near as manliness permits to dropping a few tears of my own, and for the rest, of the evening held my sides with laughter.” Those sound players, Adele Dixon, Athene Seyler, Neolas Hanuen, and Svd Walker, are now engaged in the comedy, “The Last of the Ladles” (by AV. Freshman), at the Apollo. A cycle of the gloomy matter-of-fact Ibsen is rumbling along gloomily at the Criterion, illumined by the brilliant acting of Lydia Lopokova. So far “The Master Builder," “Rosmersholin,” “Heddu Gabler” and “A Doll’s House” have been presented. “Lady Precious Stream,” that lovely Chinese play, now in its second year, Hows on serenely at the Little 'Theatre. The last weeks of “Tovariclt,” which lias had a good run at the Lyric, were announced at the time of writing. “Promise.” b.v Henri Bernstein (English by 11. M. Harwood t, appears to have made a success at the Shaftesbury. Edna Best ('of "Constant Nymph” fame), Madge Titheradge and Ralph Richardson are concerned. The “Post” says it is a tremendous play. “The Dominant Sex” al: the Aldwych Theatre, is one of those rather nauseating modern plays which leave nothing to the imagination and a nasty taste in the mouth. Sara Allgood (remembered in “Peg o’ Aly Heart”) has cropped up in the lively comedy, “Storm in a Teapot,” at the Haymarket. “1066 and All That,” of which nearly -100 performances have been given, is due to cease its fun-making shortly. What a tonic this idiotic play’ has been!

“Anthony ami Anna." by St. John Ervine, is one of the wittiest plays in London, nud London does enjoy racy humour well put over. Needless to say. “Romeo and Juliet,” with John Gielgud, is still running on at the New Theatre. Its last performances, however, are now announced.

At the Old Vie. they are doing “The Winter’s Tale” enehantiugly, and Sadler’s Wells resounds to the fascinating tinkle of “Der Fledermaus.”

Gertrude Liiwrenec and Noel Coward are at the Phoenix in Noel’s oneacters, two sets of three plays being done on alternate nights. One set is “Hands Across Hie Sea,” "Fumed Oak” and “Shadow Play,” and Hie other bunch is "'We Were Dancing,’’ “Astonished Heiirt” and “Red Peppers.”