'FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS'

Evening Star, Issue 23650, 9 August 1940, Page 2

'FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS'

AN EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE The University Dramatic Society has done nothing better than its presentation in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night of Terence llattigan’s highly diverting comedy, ‘ French Without Tears.’ It was therefore disappointing that the audience should have been so much smaller than the occasion deserved, particularly as tho proceeds of the short season are to be devoted to tho funds of the Red Cross Society. The public, however, are presented with two more opportunities, to-night and to-, morrow night, of extending their patronage, and if the house on these occasions is commensurate with the merit of the (performance all will indeed be well., ‘French Without Tears’ is a happy selection on the part of the student organisation, for the action of the whole play is in the living room of M. Maingot in tho South of France, where a number of young English folk have assembled for the purpose of learning tho French language. In the process one or two of the students experience very heavy weather, and their stumbling efforts create .considerable amusement. But learning French in this establishment becomes a secondary matter by reason of the presence of as tacile a specimen of the genus coquette as one could imagine. This is Diana Lake, on the surface pleasing and inviting, but deep enough to be dangerous. That the young men who arc her fellow hoarders should each venture into these deep waters is inevitable, even though right under their noses, so to speak, is sweet little Jaqueline aching to be loved. That virtue is ultimately rewarded is due to a senes of revelations of (shall we say?) “double-crossing, skilfully contrived by the author so that each provides merriment for the audience. To say that the play went with commendable smoothness last night would be an understatement—all points were well made, so that the Hashes of wit, the humorous interludes, and the little touches of philosophy were given full value, a fact appreciated to the full by the audience. And, be it said, every member of the cast spoke with an audibility which was refreshing. Miss Jaqueline Fraser was an excellent Diana Lake; cool, calm, and shrewdly but unobtrusively calculating in her numerous love affairs. “ Having meu in love with me is my whole life,” confesses Diana to little Jaqueline, and she certainly lives, “ showing tho old green light—the ‘ go-ahead ’ signal as one victim described it”—until the arrival of her last chance, Lord Heybrook; an hilarious denouement. As the Hon. Alan Howard, a budding diplomat and a blossoming author, Mr N. E. Gilkisou scored a distinct success. Something of a philosopher, Alan, and a cynic, and so sure of himself. Yet he, too, barely escapes from the net which Diana is always trailing. Commander Rogers, of the R.N., was a role which suited Mr I. L. G. Hutchison admirably. His part in the “ recovery ” scene after a hectic night at the fancy dress ball was splendidly handled, but all his work tyas first class. Mr R. T Martin, as thc-_ lovelorn and rather, irritable Kit Kcrlan and Mr W. D. U. Fraser as Brian Curtis. who was one of those least affected In- the rippling of the Lake, were

equally successful in those parts; and Mr 0. B. Cameron, though having litt e to do but engage in an eternal struggle with French essays, and M. Maulgot did it well. M. Maingot was irapersofiated by Mr W. D. Dawson, who made a good job of the role of the voluble and exacting little French master, Miss Ceci’.e. Jones, caused the sympathies, or the audience quickly and consistently, to' flow to little Jaqueline, and deservedly so, for her presentation of the part-was excellent. Miss Minnie Banowclougb, as the maid Marianne, had little to do, but did that little in a competent manner. Even that small surprise packet Heybroob, played by ? ’’ shared si the general success. The good work ot Aliss Kathleen Falconer as producer was in evidence throughout, and was a very big factor in that success.