"THE MARQUISE"

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1938, Page 16

"THE MARQUISE"

REPERTORY PRODUCTION

Noel Coward himself could have found little fault with the Wellington Repertory Theatre's production of his comedy "The Marquise," which was presented to a crowded house in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night. The setting of the play is a chateau near Paris in the latter part of the eighteenth century, which, according to the programme, suggests furniture made during the Louis Quinze period (1716-1774), and the Repertory Theatre were fortunate in that they were lent for the production several beautiful, authentic pieces of furniture of this period which recently arrived from overseas. These included a sofa and several chairs with elaborately carved and gilded woodwork and delicate

tapestry upholstery, and a vitrine or glass cabinet of dark wood with handpainted panels. Other pieces and articles of an appropriate character with which the stage was set were a small pedestal table with inlaid marble top and decorated brass edge, solid silver four-light candelabra, a pair of Sevres vases, a brass fireplace set, comprising fender, dogs, and fireirons, a convex mirror, an oil portrait of Dryden the poet, a ceiling lustre, and a papier-mache hand-painted tray, and a spinet. All these had as a background the grey stone walls of the chateau's main living-room. Seen through an archway draped with deep wine velvet curtains were stained glass windows, and during the acts which took place at night the scene was lighted by crystal candelabra hanging overhead and the tall white candles in the beautiful silver candlesicks. . ' '

The costumes of the players were equally handsome and perfect in detail. The men wore knee-length cqats and waistcoats (sugegstive of v the frock coats of a later date), knee-breeches of richly embroidered satins, silken hose, cuffs and Jabots of fine lace, buckled shoes, and white periwigs tied with black bows. The women's panniered frocks completed a picture of Dresden china daintiness and richness of colour.

Those who took part in the play were Mrs. John Hastings, Madame Finlayson, Miss Geraldine' Litchfield, and Messrs. Gl H. A. Swan, W. S. Austin, N. V. Wotton, Jarries Crawford, C. J. Treadwell, and A. Ashley Jones.

Mrs. Hastings as "The Marquise" wore three exquisite costumes and a white wig. Her first costume was of forest green crepe-backed satin, only the scolloped revers down the open front being made on the satin side, and these were edged with gold. A small cape was made of green velvet to match, arid her little "Dolly Varden" hat had clusters of pink flowers at the back. Her seco/id frock of vieux rose brocaded satin was caught up at intervals around the skirt with little bunches of pink and mauve rosebuds to match the trimming on the bodice and the circular flares falling from the tight-fitting elbow-length sleeves. In the final scene her frock was of light sapphire blue brocade with fine lace underskirt, jabot, and cuffs, over which was worn a long darker, blue cloak.

Miss Geraldine Litchfield as "Adrienne" wore a dainty panniered frock of white and shell pink faille trimmed with ruching and tiny posies of flowers. Her second appearance was made in a negligee of ivory georgette lined with blue satin worn over a shell

pink satin nightdress. For her final appearance she was dressed in an apple-green frock with bertha collar and flared cuffs of white net and with dark green velvet bows as a trimming. Her hair was dressed in the fashion of the period with long curls at one side and small curls piled over the top of the head. With each frock she wore a ribband to match in her hair. A chanming touch were the little purses to match their frocks which the women wore hanging from a ribband >at their waist.

Madame Finlayson, as the French maid, wore a black silk frock with cap, bertha, and apron of white muslin and lace, and Mr. N. V. Wotton as "Father Clement" wore a black cassock, white collar, and black skull cap.

The colours of the men's costumes ranged from violet, grey, and blue to shades as deep and mellow as old wine.

During the intervals incidental music was played by Mrs. Chas. McDonald and the Misses Olga Burton and Ormi Reid.

Mr. Leo dv Chateau produced the play,, which will be repeated each night this week.