“Saint Joan”

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7067, 28 January 1933, Page 4

“Saint Joan”

DAME SYBIL THORNDIKE’S GREAT TRIUMPH

In view of the J. C. Williamson announcement that Dame Sybil Thorndiko and her own West End London company are to present Bernard Shaw's masterpiece, "Saint Joan,’’ at the Opera House on Thursday, next, it should be useful for those interested to read tho following extract from a critique which recently appeared in the Christchurch press. "Scene after scene will live in tho memory of those whoso privilege it was to welcome the play and the players last night. When the trial scene from the ‘Merchant of Venice’ is under discussion minds will turn to tho trial scene from ‘St. Joan,’ and the association will bo far from incongruous. Joan seated on the little, stool, freed, temporarily from the chains around her ankles, pleading her simple, inspired faith against the terrible, ruthless process of the inquisition, the, more dreadful since each member of the court cloaks persecution with the illusion of churehiy justice and mercy. Then the flames rolling up in tho background —the remorse of do Stogumber and Brother Martin, and the cold satisfaction of Warwick, who, ns the curtain drops, allows himself to doubt —‘I wonder.' Through the whole tragic history the personality of the famous actress shone like a flame. It needed such as Dame Sybil to play the part: That she gave the audience tho Teal Joan is the Ugliest praise that can be bestowed. From the outset, when the Maid seems so unreal, to the end, when her martyrdom and memory stir tho men of Franco to carry on the work she had begun, each phase was caught with a touch, deft, sincere and sure. Lewis Casson douolcd the parts of Robert deBaudricourt and Ooueliou, Bishop of Beauvais, and from the beginning there was no doubt about his high ability. Tho scene where he and Warwick (Bruce Winston) discussed the fate of Joan was one of the outstanding features of the production. He and Christopher Casson (the inquisitor) were tho central figures in tho court in the marvellous trial scene, and in it they played with a depth and ability' that swept the audience along with every word and gesture. There was no weakness in the cast, and none in the production. Altogether, this faithful and vivid portrayal of ‘St. Joan’ must be ranked as one of the greatest theatrical performances that Christchurch • has ever witnessed.’’ The box plan opens at the Central Booking Oflico next Monday.