"THE BAT."

NZ Truth, Issue 881, 14 October 1922, Page 2

"THE BAT."

Anybody who does, not go to see "The Bat" can only be excused on the ground that he has &ot one of his own m his belfry. "Truth" managed to squeeze m on Thursday- among- a huge crowd of inquisitive persona who wanted to know all about it and was so interested that it forget to come out at the interval — a missed opportunity that can never ,be redeemed. Briefly, the story of "The Bat" is — hang it all, we promised not to tell. Anyway, it's about — no, that's putting away again. Dash "The Bat"; it's 'the eleventh plague. Is it a comedy or is it a tragedy? Is it a conundrum or a now religion? •Is it a piece of elaborate leg-pulling or is it a confidence to each individual visitor? Is it a joke or a political propaganda? Certainly Mary Rim-Tnart ought to be well smacked for throwing this bone of theatrical contention to. a lot of hungry theatregoers, though it assuredly has meat enough to go all round. You can tune "The Bat" to any emotion you like, which is equivalent to saying that it is all the plays you have ever seen thrown into' one. Surely nobody can want more. It is impossible to dilate on . this extraordinary play without giving it. away, and even then one would run the^risk of "falling . m." However, "Truth" can safely say that there is no "have" attaching to it, but that it is one/ of the most enjoyable farcetragedyoperaticcomedyoratoribs it has ever had the pleasure of witnessing and that its secret is as obvious as. the paint on a flapper's face. You can pick it m one m every scene, right from the title ; page until you get to the imprint, and go home with your tail between your legs for being such a dumb-founded ass as no't'v to pick it ' before. Incidentally its presentation is m super-capable hands, and the cast really seems to enjoy presenting the play, more m thfc spirit of conferring a favor than earning a living, which is something few actors and actressep condescend to.- When Charlie Berkeley, comes round next time with "the best attraction he has ever had the privilege of handling" lie is due for the K.O. m the first round, for we shall simply ask him, "What about 'The Bat'?" and even his rhinocerosal epidermis will be prick-/ ed to the quick, and he will have to fall back on the time- honored .excuse:' "'Ah, my boy, . but 'The Bat's' , "The Bat." Take a gentle sporting , tip and "Be a bit with The Bat."