YOUTH AT THE SAVOY

Evening Star, Issue 22596, 13 March 1937, Page 28

YOUTH AT THE SAVOY

MEMORIES OF ‘THE YOUNG IDEA' [By 0. 11. Ai.lhn.] When ‘ The Young Idea ’ was produced at the Savoy Theatre Noel Coward was hardly better known to the ordinary playgoer than was Dr Morton Hodge before the production of ‘ The Wind and the Bain ’. Nevertheless, he' had his own following, as was natural enough for a child of tho stage. Though never actually a member of Italia Conti’s dramatic school, he graduated as a child actor in some of tho Conti productions. Some of his theatrical co-rcyals occupied a strategic position during an early 'performance of ‘ The Young Idea ’ and chanted ‘ Noel Noel Noel Noel ’ between the acts. It may be said that they chanted prophetically, for ‘ The Young Ideaintroduced Noel Coward to London, though it was not the first play by this precocious dramatist to enjoy a West End premiere. It is always interesting to see a dramatist appear in his own play. Bernard Shaw once understudied the_ actor who played the beadle in ‘ Getting Married ’ on the occasion of tho official photograph. Whether he has spoken lines in his own plays is not recorded. Horace Hodges, H. V. Esmond, and Weedon Grossmitli all appeared in plays of their own inditing. Tho most prolific actor-author, not even excepting Ivor Novello, is Noel Coward. If one may bo pardoned the paradox, ‘ The Young Idea ’is no new idea. Stanley Houghton worked upon it in one of his successful comedies. Every generation is shocked by tho social antinomianisni of the generation that treads upon its heels. In the production at tho Savoy, Miss Kate Cutler, whoso part, in the revival by the Dunedin Repertory Society will be’ essayed by Miss Florence Pacey of ‘ Tambour Major ’ fame, played the awakened mother to perfection. She exemplified in a minor way what young David .sought in Browning’s ‘ Saul ’ —the strength made perfect in weakness. Mr Ken Stewart will be taking Noel Coward’s part. Others in tho cast include Miss Penny Marshall as Girda, the female member of the precocious duo, Mr Lees Bulow in tho part created by Herbert Marshall, Dr G-. E. Maloney as Eustace Davitt, Isabel Seely as Maurice Crystal, Miss Margot Garret as Joy Knowlls, Lucy Harris as O. T. Harris, Miss Catrena Speight, Mr Maurice James, and lastly Mr Barry Irvine as the American, Hiram J. Watkins.