“FLARE PATH”

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 280, 23 August 1944, Page 8

“FLARE PATH”

Comedy-Drama With R.A.F, Trimmings "Flare Path,” a comedy-drama in three acts, by Terence Rattigan. Cast of characters: — %’iF Sergeant Miller Bcrncy Count Skriczevinski Peter Harcourt Flight Lieutenant Wrigbt Patricia Graham -Marjorie Newton Mrs? Miller Coralic Smythsou Squadron Leader Corporal "Wiggy” Jones , Colin Davidson Those present at 'he Repertory performancc in tile Technlc.il College evening who can recall Terence Rattigan t> comedy, “French Without Tears,’’ expected something good from . his Hare Path.” and were not disappointed It is a neatly-contrived and compact 1 (tic comedy-drama, which zoomed Jlonu smoothly and happily in .the spirit lively entertainment. And it is entertain meut in an unusual setting, comedy bubbling up With a nice feeling of spontaneity, whenever one feels that the dramatic content is becoming too intense, making a skilfully concocted brew that must please nil palates. Its unusualness is the manner in which Mr. Rattigan has cashed in on' the R.A.F. and its jargon, which almost constitutes another language, have for a couple of characters, all the male parts are airmen, and the others their wives while overhead the whirr of wings, landing or taking off from an adjacent airfield, gives verisimilitude to the story. It is a good little story. Flight. Lieutenant Graham and his wife, Patricia, a small time actress, seem to be the essence of spring-time lovers, till Peter Kyle, a eineina actor, and a former flame of Patricia's, heaves in sight. It is then made clear that Graham has been sold a "dud, and that Patricia is nothing loth to resume her former relations with Kyle. What changes the course of untrue love, is -a sudden night raid over . Germany—the tensity of the take-off, the aching anxiety in the waiting for the return of the airmen by the women, the loss of oue. aircraft, and the "delayed action” of Count Skriczevinski, the Polish husband of the homely ex-barmaid Countess. It is in these waking hours that Patricia realizes that her intended infidelity is rather cheap and sordid as against the big things that arc happening outside; while the finer feelings within her answer the call of Graham’s emotional breakdown, after he comes in, with half the tail of his "ship ’ blown off.

This was a tense bit of acting, in which Mr. XI. F. E. Wright showed unsuspected depths of drama which, together with his gay good humour at oilier times, served to make up an able nnd appealing characterization. -Marjorie Newton-was fresh and sweet as .Patricia, rather too much so for an actress of varied experience. While her youthful charm weut a good way along the path of ingratiation, this young lady scarcely plumbed the pools of subtlety which exist in the role. There were, however,-some surprisingly good performances. An outstanding one was that of the Polish count by Peter Hareourt, who not only cut a picturesque figure, but acted and spoke his broken English with sincerity and conviction. Irene Spidy infused real humanity into the role of the Cockney countess, a role played with delightful humour and real feeling. Tom Martin was excellent as honest Sergeant Miller, though Coraile Smythsou was hardly broad enough as his complaining wife. Robert Charlton as Peter Kyle, was scarcely the picture actor of one’s dreams, and was rather too complacent to be altogether convincing in his love scenes with Patricia. -. . Other sound performances were that of Janet Walls as Mrs. Oakes. Dartrey Adams as Squadron Leader Swanson, and Reg. Berney as the hotel waiter. Percy. The whole action takes place in the lounge of the Falcon Hotel, a. bright bit of stage decoration, with its red brick fireplace, business-like desk, and black-out curtains, a credit to the scene painter. W. J. Conroy. Mr. George Swan, who was called before the curtain at the conclusion of the performance, well deserved the applause that was given him as producer. “Flare Path” will be -presented every night this week. It is a good show. His Excellency the Govepnor-General and Lady Newall, with a party from Government House, attended the performance.