“THE MARQUISE"

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 151, 23 March 1938, Page 7

“THE MARQUISE"

Brilliant Noel Coward Comedy “The Marquise,” a comedy in three acts by Noel Coward. Cast: — Marquise Eloise de Kestournei Mrs. John Hastings Madame Finlayson Comte Itaoiii de Vriaac . ..G. 11. A. Swan Adrienne Geraldine Litchfield Jacques Rljar v V 'v S 'wJttm Father Clement >■ ' • Motton Esteban el Duco de Santaguano Mienel c - J - Treadwell Hubert A - Ashley-Jones Quite a little triumph was scored in a delicate vehiclfe by the Wellington Repertory Society last evening, when it presented Noel Coward's comedy The Marquise” at the Town Hall Concert Chamber. That success was all the more creditable because the play s of Coward are not for ali. They need handling. There is an elegance in his raciness and sophistication, a delicacy in his flippancy, a rapier touch in his humour, and an ingenuity in his design which at once entertain and amuse, if they do not enthral. His sense of the theatre is quite abnormal. But these virtues are apt to be blunted where the players are slovenly, untrained, or unequal to the intellectual demands. Such was not the case last evening. The cast, to do each and all justice, acted as though' they were en rapport with the little play, and the result was a charming entertainment. “The Marquise,” written for the exquisite Marie Tempest, is a seventeenth century conceit. Its action takes place in those naughty but glamorous days when kings and princes set the fashion in affaires d’eoeur that would scarcely be tolerated to-day despite “this freedom.” • The graceful and witty Marquise Eloise de Kestournei has her day, many of them, and still holds her head up in a flighty world. But the years take their toll, and wishing to be “cherished” she returns suddenly to Comte Raoul de Vriaac, one of her old lovers, to seek shelter. Now it happens that Raoul and his ageing friend Estaban, who have lived as neighbours and friends for many years, find it congenial to achieve a closer bond. Raoul has a charming daughter in Adrienne and Esteban has a likely son in Miguel, What more fortunate that they should marry? But there is many a slip. It i's the arrival of the Marquise, after an absence of sixteen years, that upsets the plot. Received coldly by Raoul, she plants herself in his house, ascertains that Adrienne (her own daughter) is unhappy in being forced hit) marriage with Miguel (her own son), and at once uses artifice and even force to prevent such a catastrophe, for both these young people love elsewhere. Then the Marquise is not one to forget herself. She plays one of her old lovers against the other, until both at her knees, and finally selects Raoul, much to Esteban’s relief.

There is spide in Coward’s plan of action and such redundant wit in his lines that no one cares to miss a word. And it was all done very nicely.

Chief acting honours go to Mrs. John Hastings as the Marquise; not because that lady was entrusted with the title role, but by reason of the subtlety, grace, and merriment with which she endowed the part and made it live. There .was the liveliest intelligence in every inflection of speech, the keenest appreciation of the humour and artfyl'ness of this whimsical brainy woman. Her performance might not have been so enjoyable but for the general excellence of the cast. Mr. G- 11. A. Swan, who wore the gay satins and laces with quite an air, gave a capital study of a reformed rake as Raoul until shaken out of himself by the return of the Marquise. One would have liked to see higher lights of rage rather than the action of a man in a mere pet, when the Marquise seeks to restaldish "herself in his good graces. But it was a sound and consistent performance throughout. Esteban, who takes middle-aged life with a laugh, was nicely played by Mr. J. Crawford, but he was hardly so easy in his clothes and wig. Mr. W. S. Austin displayed an attractive voice and manner aS Jacques Rljar (the young secretary whom Adrienne loves), and Miss Geraldine Litchfield fluttered emotionally through the role of Adrienne with girlish grace and winsomeness.’ Mr. C. J. Treadwell 1 was Miguel, Mr. N. V. Wotton was properly wooden as Father Clement, and Hubert was stolidly played by Mr. A. Ashley-Jones.

“The Marquise” is artistically presented. and hero the touch of the producer, Mr. Leo du Chateau, was apparent ('as it was in the performance), always resourceful, always sure. The stage furnishings were strictly of the period, as were also the pictures, and the china. Coward's comedy will be played throughout the week.