REPERTORY THEATRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 60, 8 September 1937, Page 6

REPERTORY THEATRE

BRIGHT COMEDY

"Lucky Dip,"-the'latest production of the Wellington Repertory Theatre, is nothing if not up to date. It is by the late Frank Vosper, who came to an untimely end under tragical circumstances too recently in the news to need recall. It is an ingenious comedy overstepping into farce, about bright young people of today. As politicians blame reporters for misquotation so Betty MainwarW (Marguerite Thorny son) and Oliver Boulton.CSclwyhToe* good) blame ; anybody tbut themselves for misdating invitations to a little dinner which they are giving to other bright young people of their own kidney. Vosper may or may not have gone to the New Testament for his idea o« Betty and Oliver inviting people not originally intended to .the dinner.. So instead of going but into the highways and hedges for their guests naturally resort to the telephone, book and the dinner is furnished with miscellaneous guests, including a Briga-dier-General, a Cat burglar, specialists in "modes et robes" and 'babies wear" a novelist, and Uninvited guests in the persons pi a neurotic amateur actress, a-■ detective,,, and ■a' .plainclothes'policeman. From the mixture of such materials it was only to be expected that a •stunning brew of .comedy would result.: So it does. There is a tragical moment in the second act, a surprise which it would not be kind to disclose to those who will and ought to see this highly amusing play. ■ "Lucky Dip" is more remarkable for its humour than its wit, but it is wholesome fun, and there is nothing in the dialogue (as their might well have, been) to offend the most sensitive ears. Bright young people have a-kind of argot of their own; often silly, sometimes coarse, but generally expressive, but there is nothing of that sort -rin "Lucky Dip"': and yet it is quite modern, in design and style. The. incidents in the play may be jmprobable, certainly unconventional, but,.pot impossible. The scene is laid in a flat in Mayfair, and as the devoted Londoner knows, Mayfair has ;gone 'definitely modern" and "Ichabod" as written .over I Berkeley Square; So such a party as "Lucky Dip" depicts may not be^unlik6lv &ft6F eQI * : " '■ ' '■ ' The casting bit thejplay? 'Aye, there's the rubJßut as- "LUcky Dip' r was presented last night it came;alm6St up to a high professional standard.- Betty Mainwaring as ,played by Marguerite Thompson was a treat to watch/ She delivered her lines far too rapidly at times for the slow of hearing to take their meaning, but then she had to personate a girl whose party arrange-ments-had been all upset by an aggravating mistake in/ a date and the cocktails spoiling, the dinner delayed, and the cook in a tantrum. So if she was at times incoherent had not she a good reason? Mr. Toogood was excellent as Oliver Boulton, the fiance of Betty, full of fun, soaked in arid exuding the spirit of the play. Mrs. Bothways, a lady m business as furnisher of babies' wear, was brilliantly impersonated by Mrs. S. Tingey, displaying a keen insight into the character, any blemishes m the part disappearing at her touch; moreover, she was true to type—and so much of the success of "Lucky Dip" depended on its cast.' Clever acting was to be enjoyed in Mr, S. H. Vlnseri's idea of a personable cat burglar and Jewel thief. He kept the character well concealed from his audience for it was the police who disclosed it. Mrs. Carrincton Harne, one of the telephoneinvited guests, was' played by Ireiie Spidey and she was amusing, charming, and intelligent as a lady already three times married and still in search of adventure. She was the part for the time being. The General was will done by Mr, G. O. Cooper. The distraught amateur actress, Mrs. Cameron, was most convincing, striking a dramatic chord in merry music with startling and adroit effect. The rest' of the cast, Mr. I. Crawford as the novelist, Hinchliffe: Mr. F. H. Dawn as Mr. Cooper, and Messrs. GiUtison and Wright as police, did useful if subordinate work in the play. Tne/buttej Hawkins, pliyed by Mr. C. Wright, had but little to do, but it was a perfect piece of acting. The members of the cast ttlayed well together, with no manifest desire of any, member to eclipse another or run »way with the show. •■ ■ : ■ ■ ■'' -■ : : Mr. Leo dv Chateau was the pro* ducer and should have been pleased with the result as the audience was with the play. . ~: , ■■ The single scene, drawing-room of a modern flat with ultra-modern furnishings, was designed and arranged by Mrs. G: C. Boyes. There was no hitch, no undue delay in the play. It is commended to all playgoers in search of a merry night. "Lucky Dip1' will be repeated this and the following evenings. It is a potent tonic for "the blues."