“THE LIGHT OF HEART”

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 295, 10 September 1941, Page 10

“THE LIGHT OF HEART”

Emlyn Williams Play REPERTORY PRODUCTION “The Light of Heart,” a play in three acts, by Emlyn Williams. Cast of characters : — Mrs Banner Elsie Betts-Vincent it nl .f V R. 8. Allwright j.' an Sinclair Rouald Bevaii ’ George F. Vincent Maddoc Thomas P. B. Beu bam Cattrin Bve Major Robert A. G. Brown Douglas Mrs. Lothian Jauet Stirling jbmiyn Williams wrote a good "snociier iu "Aignt Aiust rail,' out "Tue corn is Ureen," snll running iu Aew lorn, was ticitcr, and '"me Light of Heart,” played uy tne Wellington repertory Society at tne Concert Lnamuer lustevening, is a sound piay in winch the actor in Mr. Williams snares the honours with, tne playwright. As to type, the play is rauier reminiscent of “Tne Inconstant Aympli. True,, the family tn tnis case consist of ouly two persons, one ■ being the decadent old actor, Maddoc Thomas, wnose nexl-to-geuius ps beaten by the bottle, and who is pulled into something like self-respect once more by the tempting of young Robert aud the bullying oi liis Scottish admirer, Mrs. Lothian. ISo 'Thomas picks himself out of the ashes of his former greatness aud is given a chance entirely to rehabilitate himself by C. B. Cochrane, who would present him in the urnit* table trngeuy, "King Lear.” Thomas would never swallow such a part were it uot tor his faithful daughter Cattrin, who brings him up to the sticking point, ouly to drop him at the psychological moment. She and Robert agree to get married ; to do it secretly so ns uot to upset the old man on the day of his first appearance as Lear. The discovery of the secret, together with a sudden loss of memory and an accidental meeting with his old boozing friend, Barty, jerk him off the rails so that he canuot appear iu the play at al This is a crisis in the life of his crippled daughter, who resolves to go forward with her wedding despite the rating she is given by the bliiut ! tougued Lothiau woman. But at the last, when Thomas becomes sentimental about her mother ami the old days, she breaks down aud finds that she canuot go through with it —she must stand by the old tool to the end. It is Robert who sees that her altilure is all wrong, aud holds before her tear-stained eyes the mirror ot tue future, painting her drab, hopeless hie as it must be. This speech is heard by old Thomas, conveniently disposed behiud a screen, who promptly finds a way to solve everyone’s problems with absolute finality. , It takes a playwright who is au actor to conceive such a role as old Ihomas. Mr. Williams has probably encountered the tvue in his experience aud has spun the yarn rouud him. Though Dr. P. B. Benham is a filling figure with a. fine resonant voice of admirable quality, he did not quite plumb the depth pl leelmg that awakes only occasionally in the consciousness of the old actor, still vain-enough to boast of what he was, yet aware bow lathe has fallen from grace. There is one moment of supreme agony (when, pn tuq day of the performance, he realizes that he has forgotten the lines of "Lear ), whAb was ouly faintly reflected. Icrhaps Dr. Benham was at his best in tne first act, where reform of any sort is not contemplated, Thomas having even dost his job as Santa Claus for Selfridges through being drunk and disorderly;in Piccadilly. Of equal importance is the role of Cattrin, the self-denying cripple daughter, the ligh(-of-heart is a slough of sin and sorrow. Miss Eve Major looked the role, and expressed it most sympathetically, but unfortunately her high-pitched tone and slight accent made much of her dialogue not easily distinguishable to tne audience —and so much depends on hearing every word. , . , The minor roles, rich in character, were all well played. Mr. A. G. Brown Douglas was well cast as the smooth young musician and composer, who believes in calling a spade a spade, aud is likeable though he will always ask the most awkward questions. His sophistication does not prevent liim, being earnest where Cattrin is concerned. Mrs. Sinclair Ronald played a loose-living Loudon “tart” to the life, and Miss Janet Stirling was delightfully forthright as the determined and unorthodox Mrs. Lothian. Mr. IL S. Allwright made that inane ass Barty amusing, and Mr.. G. F. Vincent reflected the transparent honesty and dullness of Constable Bevan. Madame BettsVincent, as the frowsy Mrs. Banner, was a real character, instinct with the soulless despair of the grubbiest of lodging houses, yet whose every common-place line , induced laughter. > /'l'he Light of Heart” was smoothly played, thanks to the good work of its joint producers, Mr. G. 11. A. Swan and Mrs. Elsie Lloyd. The play will be performed throughout the week.