CERCLE FRANCAIS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 62, 10 September 1936, Page 6

CERCLE FRANCAIS

THE CLUB "GOES EAST"

I At the last meeting of the Cercle Francais the club "went East." The programme was in charge of. Dr. A. D. Carbery-, who had arranged an "Arabian Nights Entertainment," which was a highly appreciated diversion. The proceedings were opened by Miss Lalla Vondersloot at the piano, with "Song of India" (Rimsky-Korsakofl) in keeping with the Eastern character of the evening. Dr, Carbery then gave a delightful, causerie "La Mille c Une Nuits," which put the audience into the right mood for the play to come later. This was followed by "Le Ballet Arabe," in which the dancers were Misses Frances Mater, ' Margaret McLay, Dorothy, Buck, Sheila Kissel, and Coralie Smythson, picturesque with Oriental dresses and diaphanous scarves. Afterwards came "Le Conte dv Bossu" (Comedie Inedite),, from the Arabian Nights, and this was quite out of the ordinary, the long cast being composed of male performers, with the exception of the resuscitated "corpse" ■(Miss Frances Huntington). The actors were Dr. Carbery, Professor F. F. Miles, Dr. Keys, Messrs. F. E. Greenish, W. B. Hay, P. C. Wells, W. and J. S., Mitchell, and Mr. W. F..C. Balham, who filled the one feminine role, Fatima. The play was very entertaining, amusing, and unusual, and the costumes provided a riot of brilliant colouring. Sartorially, the outstanding players were Dr. Carbery, whose impressive .costume culminated in an immense gold and jade turban; Mr, Hay (a new member, whose good stage presence and delivery were particularly noted), with quaint hat and cloak; the executioneer—a negro the effect of whose bare limbs and striped headdress was heightened by a discreet loincloth, and the ultra-feminine Fatima (Mr. Balham), who was chaste, if not chic, in enshrouding black draperies. Of the accessories, the executioners huge scimitar was conspicuous; this was made for the occasion by Mr. Greenish, and was an admired piece of amateur craftsmanship, the detail of the work including a star and crescent. Prior to the play an Oriental number from the "Nutcracker Suite" had given the right atmosphere, and the Eastern effect was impressed upon the audi«ace at the end, for the comedy has an unusually dramatic finale, as at the Muezzin's call., to prayer the players prostrate themselves and one hears the musical chanting of Mussulmen, Christian, and Jew, while the curtain gently falls. ' . . The reunion was presided over by Mr. Balham (president), Madame Bendall conducted the conversation circle, Mrs. Uniacke prompted, Madame Logre received, and Miss Eleanor Pharazyn attended to the refreshments.