REPERTORY PLAYERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 95, 19 October 1938, Page 11

REPERTORY PLAYERS

A CLEVER THRILLER

The play "The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse,/' the initial production of,which was staged in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night by members of the Wellington Repertory Theatre, was aptly described when first produced in London as "a glorious thriller." That is just what it is. It is well constructed, with a novel and ingenious plot, and the suspense is sustained until the final curtain—a very necessary concomitant if a ■ play of this type is to be a success. About the plausability of the amazing behaviour of Dr. Clitterhouse opinions may differ, and no doubt the author of the play, Barre Lyndon/intended them to. Analysed in cold blood by the fireside, Dr. Clitterhoiise's behaviour might seem to make him a fitting subject for a long sojourn in Poriruar but Dr. Clitterhouse in the flesh on the stage carries conviction. . He was a''brilliant young doctor with ideas of his own about the psychology and physiology of crime. To put his theories to the test and in order to collect data for further research, the doctor decides to become a thoroughgoing criminal himself—a variation of the Jekyll and Hyde theme. After four successful burglaries on his own, the doctor finds himself confronted with-the necessity of getting rid of his incriminating loot. He makes the acquaintance of a notorious "fence" and thereby the acquaintance of several professional crooks and members of the underworld. These he organises into a gang of accomplished burglars, and under the doctor's skilful guidance the greatest fur robbery of modern times is successfully carried through, a warehouse full of. the most expensive'furs being stripped of its contents. All the while the docJsrr is recording his own and the physiological reaction of his fellbwcriminal^ and his book of notes gets fuller and fuller. After this fur robbery the time has come to call a halt, thinks the doctor. ■ But he reckons without the "fence.*? .The latter dis 7 covers the doctor's identity and at?, tempts to blackmail him. ' There, is xm i alternative, says the doctor, and the "fence" is poisoned, the, doctor having the satisfaction of being able to add to his notes some ori the physiological reactions of a murderer. Although the police are on his jscent, the doctor is happy in the belief that he will be acquitted of murder on the ground of insanity and that the world will get his epoch-making book. This bald outline may sound as if the play's plot is impossible, but the play is so skilfully written that it seems plausible. Unfortunately, as presented by members of the Repertory Theatre last night, it failed to carry the conviction it ought to have. That was the fault of the players, not of the play itself. With but one or two exceptions, the. characters were not in hands [capable of doing anything like justice ito the author's intentions. Depending ! almost entirely upon its dialogue, the play needed considerable more animation on the part of those in the cast, and. the voice of the prompter was ! monotonously frequent. Yet the production was excellently mounted, the | scene on the housetops at night, while [ the burglarjy of the fur store was taking place, being first-class. . • j The personality of the enigmatical (Doctor Glitterhouse dominates the play, and Mr. George Cooper is to bd congratulated upon his portrayal of a I very difficult character, even if he rather frequently forgot his words. He was particularly good when, trying to win the good graces of the under-, world. He had able support from Mr. Evan Harrowell as the sinister and blackmailing fence. Not nearly enough was made by Miss Constance Scott of the part of Daisy, a lady of the underworld who "fell" for the doctor, and the doctor's nurse, a part played by Miss Irene Spidy, should surely have registered more emotion when she discovered that her idol was a doctor by day and a crook by night. There were some bright spots among the members of the underworld (parts (allotted to Messrs. A. H. Painter, J. W. Coysh, Eric Evan-Young, and Arthur Ashley-Jones), and Mr. W. F. C. Balham was adequate as an eminent K.C. who told the doctor that he was undoubtedly insane; but the represeni tatives of Scotland : Yard and the [police force (Messrs. L. Walker, R. Gilkison, and A. Lawson) were colourless. Although much credit is due to I Mr. Leo du Chateau for the production, not even the best friends of the Repertory Theatre will number "The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse" amongst its many outstanding successes. Incidental music is supplied by an efficient trio consisting of Mrs. C. McDonald, Miss Olga Burton, and Miss Ormi Reid. "The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse" will be repeated each night until the end of the week.