IN BERNARD SHAW

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 130, 6 June 1927, Page 12

IN BERNARD SHAW

REPERTORY THEATRE SOCIETY

In presenting "You Never Can Tell" at the Concert Chamber on Saturday the National Repertory Theatre Society hitched its wagon to a star. All things considered, all allowances made, the Bociely had reason to congratulate itself in venturing into the realm of Shaw. In point of size the audience was. comfortable; moreover, it seemed to be as sympathetic and discerning as it was patient. No doubt the play was the thing, the chief attraction, because widely as the plays of Shaw arc read, very rarely are they performed in theatres in New Zealand or in the neighbouring Commonwealth. For its enterprise in performing "You Never Can Tell," then, the Repertory Theatre Society is to be thanked by the play-loving public generally, and by the actors in die play and their audience in particular. The cast was as follows:—Dolly Clandon, Miss Rosalind Atkinson; Valantinc, Mr. P. C. Facer; the parlourmaid, Miss Helen Thomson; Philip Clandon, Mr. Bert Anderson; Mrs. Clandon, Mrs. Coleridge; Gloria. Clandon, Miss Lulu Morice; Fergus Crampton, Mr. Morris Dunkley; Finch M'Comaa, Mr. P. B. Broad; the waiter, Mr. Vernon Oswin; his assistant, Mr. Maurice James; Walter Bohuu, K.C., Mr. J. Todd M'Caw.

In capacity the cast was necessarily imperfectly balanced, for very few societies of the kind,can get all of the right materials requisite for an even performance. But Mrs. Coleridge's reading and presentation of her part was quite up to the professional standard, indeed in some respects superior to that to which regular playgoers are accustomed in the absence of . stars of the first magnitude. Miss Atkinson showed remarkable talent in her understanding of what was expected of the vivacious Dolly Clandon. It was really a great part to give to so young a performer, but she made it tell. Miss Atkinson might easily have burlesqued the part, instead sne entered wholeheartedly into the fun. of it, knew her lines (was word-perfect, in fact), and delivered them clearly and correctly, in short appeared to be quite at home on the stage. Miss Morice tore no passions to tatters, but spoke with, commendable distinctness and in an agreeable voice. She acted free from artificiality, carrying herself naturally, as any girl might in Glorias unique circumstance* as Shaw arranged them. Mr. Oswin's idea of Witliam, the waiter, was that of. a very old man. But the character as depicted does not seem quite so far advanced in senility as Mr. Oswin made it appear. If old age was overdone, it was the only fault to be found :n Mr. Oswin's otherwise excellent treatment of the part, seen from every angle, of a comic but not impossible waiter. Mr. Anderson was at first rather' colourless as the precocious Philip, but improved very much as the play proceeded and as he seemed to grasp the significance of the part. Mr. Facer was gviinly realistic as the dentist. His handling of his forceps and gas musk in the first act must have touched up some sensitive molar nerves in the audience. As a wooer Mr. Facer was rather more matter-of-fact than romantic, but he carried a man's part mantully, justifying his selection for the ■character and fully earned the much applause he received. Mr. Broad was well- ; nigh perfect in the part of Finch M'Comas | his work being that of a master craftsman rather than of a hobbyist. The choleric old Crampton was successfully taken by Mr. Dunkley, wh6 made-up well •and plainly conveyed the idea that this difficult person really did believe that there was virtue in cleaning his teeth with yellow soap and all 'that that kind of reasoning means. Mr. Dunkley's acting also approached professional standards. Mr t s! W#£ c a y admiraWe interpretation of the XC. whose father was the Waiter in the play. All gave proof of excellent coaching received for this performance It was written early in this notice that the audience seemed to be sympathetic and discerning likewise patient. It was sympathetic for it applauded in the right place and at the right temperature. When it saw good work, as it frequently did, it warmed to ,t; but when the work was moderately well done the- applause was tepid. It was evident, too, that very many present in the audience were familiar with the play, and sßmulatetl by its wit as mustard is welcome to the trained palate. J?he audience was remarkably patient in the matter of very long waits between acts. These may have been inevitable because of the limited facilities for elaborate stage settings in the Concert Chamber. But considering the character of "You Never Can Tell" as a play ambition for a stage full of scenery can £ ell be curbed. Everyman Theatre in London a home for Shaw plays, is a smaller building than and not so well lighted as the Concert Chamber, but the scenery and effects used there are very simple, easily handled, and inexpensive. Alter all, the success of some of Shaw's plays, j You Never Can Tell" among them depend for their success less upon decor and diction. There are always hitches on first nights, but these, no doubt, will have all disappeared by this and to-morrow evenings, when this delightful comedy will be repeated.