DOMESTIC COMEDY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 5

DOMESTIC COMEDY

"THE;.FIRST MRS. FRASER'

Olil playgoers who bewailed the trend of the theatre towards crook, dope, detective, and "psychic" plays, and inanities often classed as .musical comedies, must have felt refreshed at the Opera House on Saturday .when "The First Mrs. IVaser" was presented for the first time here. It is a domestic comedy written, by St. John Ervine, one of the leading critics of the English theatre. But it should always be understood that ability to write a play and to make a success of it is not, an essential qualification i'or dramatic criticism, any more than one must be able to cook it before -venturing an opinion on fish. But "The First Mrs.. Fraser" can safely be taken as an example of how a well-known'critic, thinks a comedy should be written, and a proof (as was fully demonstrated on Saturday.. night).. that the theories of. theatrical managements as to "what the public wants" may sometimes. be at fault. A fuller or more receptive audience than that at the Opera House on Saturday night no management could desire. From every, point of view "The First Mrs.' Eraser" was highly successful, in the play itself, its performance, and its production. , , i . Mr. St. John Ervine is proved by this comedy to be as -well acquainted with what is sometimes called human nature, and latterly "psychology," as he is; with the theatre and all connected *> with ; it.; Evidently he has not: been favourably im-pressed-by the modern typical successful business nlan, often perhaps unconsciously overbearing egotistical and in many ways ignorant. At any rate he so depicts James Fraser (Mr. J. B. Rowe), a Scot, who, by hard work and a natural faculty for the; acquisition of tlie.. bawbees, has. made a fortune and feels the power to do just what ."he. likes which .'possession of plenty of;money is supposed to confer. In the sere and fellow Fraser goes in_ search of romance, and soon provides his wife Janet (Miss Ethel Morrison) with grounds for divorce. Then he marries the second Mrs. Fraser (Miss Mary MacGregor) who is easily young enough to be his daughter. If the first Mrs. Fraser was Victorian in her ideas, the second is quite up-to-date in hers. Her interests in her husband are as platqnic as one's interest in one's banker. She is absolutely modern in her outlook, selfish to a degree, pleasure-lov-ing, unmoral, and shamelessly extravagant. James, realising that he has caught a tartar, suffers five years of costly matrimony and then bethinks him of. his first wife, who, by the way, has an ardent admirer in Philip Logan (Mr. Leslie Victor). The prodigal husband returns to his former home where he is given a chilling welcome by his first wife, and a hostile reception by his son Ninian (Mr. John Wood), just up from Oxford. Thus the first act is opened. The, second introduces Mrs. Fraser No. 2, and incidentally gives opportunity for the playwright, through Janet as his mouth-piece, to tell the "bright young things" of to-day just what middleaged people are thinking about them. It is a slashing indictment of their lack of decency • and their ingrained selfishness. It made the large audience at the Opera House sit up,: all eyes and ears, on Saturday night. James is not spared either, but he is only made to look utterly ridiculous, and is humiliated like a dog with its tail between its legs. The comedy is not only one of domesticity, but of manners. For all its witty arid amusing dialogue—and there is plenty to .laugh at—"The .First Mrs. Fraser". is a play inviting the appraisal of moral values. It makes people think, for its theme is all highly probable. There is very little .action: and-no trace of farce in the play. It" calls,' too, for skilful yet unartificial-acting for every character, and such competent treatment it received from the cast. • : . ■ ■'■...■ :

Hiss Morrison, who was accorded a most cordial welcome, was superb as Janet, the first wife of James Eraser. The part fitted her.-perfectly, without crease' or wrinkle; Every word she said (as was that of her associates)^ was" distinctly audible and well timed;- in fact the enunciation •of every member of the cast was admirable. For the moment every member of the audience could feel quite en famille with the Frasers, if he wanted to. Not speech alone, but looks and gestures were made eloquent in the telling of this modern version of the ancient story of the triumph of uprightness over marital delinquency. And talking of looks,,those of Mr..Roger Barry as Murdo Fraser, brother to'Ninian, were so full of meaning at times that they often conveyed far more than his words. The part of; impetuous outspoken Ninian, his "mother's boy," was played with distinction by Mr. John Wood. Elsie, the second Mrs. Fraser, as represented by Miss MacGregor, was a finished piece of acting, convincing, creating the illusion of reality. To Miss Eileen Morris was allotted the. part of a domestic, a part so often either overplayed or.made uninteresting to the point of nullity*;< She was to be complimented on; her skilful handling of-a subordinate character. Miss Noel Boyd had a quite unimportant role to play as the young Mrs.' Murdb Fraser, and acquitted herself with credit. "The First Mrs. Fraser" .will be repeated this evening. It should not be missed on any account.