MAJESTIC THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 16

MAJESTIC THEATRE

* “Tovarich,” Brilliant Comedy

“Tovarich” was an outstanding stage success in two continents. Even from its film version, which opened at the Majestic Theatre last night, it is easy to see wliy. It is a social satire, full of provocative situations and sparkling dialogue. Its rich comedy is made even more piquant bv an undercurrent of tragedy. ‘it is a tragedy of the Russian aristocrats, which is still being played in real life in many parts of the world today. But in “Tovarich.” Prince Mikail Alexan- ' droviteh Ouratieff and his wife, the Grand Duchess Tatiana Petrovna, by the debonair gaiety with which they accept 'their lot ■as exiles in Paris, place the accent on comedy. Faced with poverty, they would rather be- or steal than surrender to the Soviet authorities the forty billion francs in gold entrusted to them by the late Czai. Chance offers them domestic employment with Charles Dupont (Melville Copper), a banker, and they eagerly, accept in the capacities of butler and maid. A dinner partv introduces a new character in Gor6tchenk o (Basil Rathbone), a ruthless Soviet commissar,.-who had brutally ill-treated Mikail in an abortive attempt to get the forty billion francs, and the fur flies between Mikail, Titiana and Goiotchenko, representatives of the old and new Russian regimes. However, Mikail is ultimately convinced that devotion to one’s country sometimes entails an abandonment of political views, and he parts with the forty billion francs to Gorotchenko. Mikail and Tatiana .find peace and contentment in the continuance - of their domestic duties. Claudette Colbert and Charles Boyer

are perfectly cast as : Tatiana and Mikail,'.;) a most naive and un“ worldly couple,, in J spite of their origin-j allv exalted position,! but with charming? manners and com-? plete sangfroid. They; discover in theirs parts delightful hum-| our and moments of | profound drama. | Basil Rathbone gives fi a typically-polished

performance as Goroteheiiko. One of the outstanding features of the picture is the acting of Melville Cooper, who played the same part of Dupont in the original London production of the play. Isabel Jeans is admirable as the coy and temperamental Madame Dupont. One of her brightest lines is delivered when the identity of Mikail and Tatiana is discovered: “Oh, why,” she asks plaintively, “did you have to be born a? grand duchess and a prince when good servants are so hard to get.” '“Tovarich” is a memorable picture, and one that should have a wide appeal. A series of attractive short features completes the programme.