Variety (May 1961)

LEGITIMATE Shows Abroad Bevond The Fringe The Sound of Music London, May 11. London, May 19. William Donaldson & Donald SiIbery resentut.on, by arrungement with Anna’ a 2ere Whnan, of two-act revae, with with Iyrics by Pater Cook, Jonathan Minter. Du-lleyv Moore Written by Alan Bennett. Peter. € yok and Jonathan Miller; nrusic by Dud-Iey Moore Staved by Eleanor Fazan: decor and Hghiing, John Wsckham. Stars Bennett, Cook, Miller, Moore. Opened May 10, ‘61. at the Fortune Theatre, : Lundon; $2.9) top. two-act (20 scenes) Howard Lindsay and Russel adapted from “The Trapp Family Singers,” by Maria Augusta Trapp. Staged by Jerome Whyte, based on Vineent J. Dounehue's original Broadway direction: musical staging. Joe Layton: scenery, Oliver Smith; costumes, Lucinda Ballard; musical director. Robert Lowe; chora) arrangements, Trude Rittman; orchestrations. Robert Russell Bennett. Stars Jean Bayless, Roger Dann; features Constance Shacklock, Eunice Gaysegn. Harold Kasket. Olive Gilbert. May 18; ’6l. at the Palace Theatre, London: $420 top. ; : Maria Ruiner Sister Berthe Orisinally staged at last year’s: Edinburgh Festival, ‘Beyond The. Fringe” has successfully made the: journey to London, It is an: un-! deniable click, an outrageously: funny. sharply satirical revue and: -the most nimbie, lively and off-| Svlvia Beamis Williamson Music Ltd. presentation of : musical drama, ~ Oscar Hammerstein 2a. ; -music by Richard Rodger§ and book by . Crouse, © Opened Jean. Bayless-} _ VARIETY dren, the sentiment andé:a hint of drama add up to entertainment which will not Iet -down those. in -Search of an escapist night out. Rich. ’ London, May 12. Murrav Lid. presentation. of -a .three-act 3 nat YS -.y secquas | tion Time and. X cllow Rose Ss comedy, With music and Isrics by Johany | | Burke and. book.by Robert E. IceEnroe, Maedonald & John Stevens: bused on Maurice Walsh’s novel. Stars Flora Robson. Opened May 11, ’ol.: at St. Martin's Theatre, London; $2.80‘ top. Nicola Rouarte ,........ Patricia Healey! Chestrations, Robert Ginzler; bullet musiNurse... leesaeeeceee -, Macge Ryan| cal arrangements and_ orchestrations, : V Mrs. Curtis i.e... eee eee ‘Greta Wood; Laurence’ Rosenthal: production wsso‘Alfred *...... vecesecee, Robin. Eloyd | ciates, Morton Walkowitz and: Michael Grave Rouarte-........,: Flora. Robson Pollock. Stars Eddie Foy, Art Lund: ee » Andrew Laurence Roser Balion ...... vase ‘ Laurette Gerard....Margaret Christensen Lesley Stofm is a skilled, op; erator in the art of whipping up a Sister Margaretta......... Olive Gilbert beat entertainment in town. | Mother Abbess . + At the small Foftune Theatre it! Capt’ George Von Trapp. Roger Dann | Franz ok cee cnc cc ccnacece Frau Schmidt ...Diana Beaumont Von Trapp’s ‘Children Barbara Brown, John Coxall, Janet Ware, John Bosch, Susan Whitnell, Dyer, Melanie Parr Rolf Gruber could, in normal circumstances, settie down for a very long and profitable run. But it is problematic how long the four young men who nave written and devised the ' ee re ee oe revue and constitute its entire; Elsa Schrader sseseseeee Eunice Gayson cast will be available. Max Detweller : am or . Harold Kasket i err Zelier sac ces Jonathan N filler, for instance, Baron Elberfeld .......-. Jack Lorenzo is a pathologist who works by day! postulant . Marilyn . Dougan at a London hospital. Alan BenAdm. Van Schreiber... Hilary Wontner Hy ers: Patricia Braoke-Greene. Irene nelt is a postgraduate research Cole, May Cunningham, Marilyn Dougan, Student at Oxford University.| Marie Fidock. Elaine Howells, Patricia Dudtey Moore is in constant de-! Kilsarriff. Joan Lilley. Marie Lorraine, mand as an orchestrator. Peter: Covk, who wrote much of the, Tovey, Betty Wood, Christina Wren. material for “Pieces of Eight” and “One Over the Eight” is, in fact. ! ve the only full fledged theatre man! Music’ has at last reached London, in the quartet. But, if they stick! With the support of a Broadway to “Bevond the Fringe” their evesuccess behind it. This last nings are going to be fully oc| Rodgers & Hammerstein show cupied for many hilarious months. | : : i 8. t It is the combination. of in-! izing morning press. But rf ; ceiv tumultous first night welfectious amateur enthusiasm ailied ! cc. ed a g to immaculate professional performance that gives this frreverent revue a special kick. Nothing is sacred to them. Politics, capital: punishment. the H-bomb, Shake| speare, royalty, the Establish-! ¥: ment, religion, the last war, tete-' better than none at all. bookings points to a cHck run. show represents the magical team vision, the press, racial prejudice’) wen eeenees Nicholas Bennett | . Peter Swanwick | iS trying ta project. Lynn Kennington | persuading her. sponsars to pro; Jay Denyer;, Vide skilled operators as her cast, j This time, however, she plods: on an endless belt of words, most of Ann+them cliches.” Moreover, she isn't quite at ease. with her. characters. and seems unsure what message | she is putting over, what play she Flora Robson, who has a dedicated following, provides: “Yellow Rases” ward against an undignified, } Alison McGuire. Georgina Pearce, Sonia, piece surely cannot run long in Peters, Patricia Ridgway. Tina Ruta, Lita the West End. and is dubious for Broadway. With some clinical, as The much-heralded “Sound Of Stired rewriting there may be the , kernel of an interesting picture in the yarn. St The authoress tries to sew to ‘gether a couple of themes, with} drew a mixed, sometimes patron-; One or two sub-themes obtruding. | Main theme is the rather old| tashionied idea of a:clash between Come, and the $168,000 in advance; two generations, a middleaged widow and muddled, ‘though: well-meaning The evening is saved ‘ from scampering exit. But this pedantic | Keith Baxter: | eee Constance Shacklock, noveletish story for the stage, and. with enough support to ; her .free-thinking | Word,” “For. My Own." This is not to imply that the; @aushter. This hinges on rather| | of Rodgers & Hammerstein at its thinking. about the Congw. situasomething besides speed, and’ the | brilliant best, but inferior R & H is, tion. Howard; 1+ ( Lindsay and Russel Crouse’s book. ; major disaster by the competent: and change ased on the-story of the Trapp} cast. Miss Robson brings quiet trick. are ‘all targets for their unerring. ' Family of Singers, is old fashioned | authority to the role of’the weal; witty swipes and inspired lunacy.’ stuff véering from the frankly | thy widow. but the.star’s forte is Jast Thursday night.(18' at. the! , Clay | Wednesday, May: 24, es] Shows on Broadway Donnvbrook! Fred Herbert & David Kapp presentaof twuact .(18 numbers: musics “The (six ! Quiet Mann.” Staged and choreographed scenes) drama: by Lesley Storm. Stased : by ; b : >a ; by “lurray Maedunald; decor, Alan Tag¢.| Arutuniani lighting, Kiaus Holm: musi-' duced in what amounts to tableaus Jack Cole: settines, Rouben Tercal direction and vocal arrangements. Warnick; arrangements and _ or features Joan Fugan, ’ Philip Boseo, Sibyl Bowan, Grace Carney, Clarence Nordstrom. Charles C.: Welch. -Bruce ~ MacKay, dames Gannon. Alfred DeSio. Eddie Ericksen. Opened Mav 18, 61. at the 46th Street Theatre, N.Y.; $9.60 top. 7 : Willie O’Bantie -It's-a provocative yarn, seemingly ‘material-for an excellent musical. ing oceasional pretentious tricki ness, as in the artificial opening in. which the characters are -intro ; through a scrim, or the slam-ban ‘rush and noise,..is' hopeless. Th ringing. Under the. circumstances, | between the her@ and. his bully_boy brother-in-law is not only in‘ evitable but anti-climactic. Bruce MacKay; Eddie Foy is. occasionally funny Matthew Gilbane ...... 12 James: Gannon } Gavin Collins “Alfred DeSio! a8 2. timid, eonniving marriage Old Man Toomey.:..Clarence Nordstrom ' broker, particularly when he aban Tim O’Connel) ......... Will Danaher .: ......... Philip Bosco Ellen Roe Danaher....... Esme Gillie .......... ... Marissa Mason Sadie MeInty ............. Sibyl ' Bawan « Birdy Monyhan ..........-. Mikeen Fiynn ..........¢ ‘.... Eddie Foy, John Enright eeeseese o+-.. Art Lund Father Finucane ..... *, Charles C. Welch Irish Boy ............5. Jamie nc. ccc eecnnas ‘George Harwell Kathy Carey ....... «3-+. Susan Johnson : Principal Dancer 7 Re Norman Mean ; Sinsers: Georgia Greighton. ‘Charlotte Frezer, Nancy Foster, Dee Marless, Georgia Kennedy, MaudeenSullivan, Darrell J. Askey, Eddie Ericksen, John Ford, ,Georze Harwell. Charles Rule, Bob Murdock. . ; Dancers: Gloria Dunford, : Mason, Carol Sherman, Suanne Shirley. Pamela Wood, John Aristides, Evans, Larry Fuller, William Guske.., David Lober, George Martin, Keith: Stew: art. ‘ oa Musical numbers: ‘Overture, ‘Sez £,"’! “Day_the Snow Is Meltin’,“ “Sad Was; the Day.” “Donnybrook.” “Ellen Roe.” | “Sunday Morning,” “Loveable. Irish.””. “Ij Wouittn’t Bet One Penny.” “He Makes ° Me Feel I'm Lovely.” “Courting,” “1 Have My Own Way.” “Toast. ‘to the; Bride.” “Wisha Wurra,” “Mr. Fivnn,’” ; Hornpipe Dance, “Dee-lightfal Is the‘ Even the fastest pitcher needs liveliest musical comedy must Have more than drive and noise. Finesse. of . pace—that’s the In “Donnybrook!” which opened | The four performers are dressed ‘dull to the cloyingly sentimental. | | well controlled suffering and her46th Street Theatre, they've taken | in ordinary grey lounge suits and, without benefit of makeup, scen-; s909d as its songs and there are|the nubile young daughter seems ery Oo props ‘with the exception; enough that are tunefully hum-! Merely spoiled. As. a ‘spritelyof an occasional hat:, they rely’ mable in the batch of 18 to satis-) tongucd nurse, Madge Ryan earns on effeetive lighting by John;fy most customers. The lilting: the few ‘yseks in this -rather Wyekham and their own precise j title song. as well as “My Favorite; Sombre evening. timing and inflections. Their four Things.” “Sixteen—Going On Sevtalents are highly individual yet.!enteen,"” “Sa Long, Farewell” and under the direction of Eleanor , “Do-Re-Mi” are standauts, though Fazan, also biend unselfishly f :some of the ditties are reminiscent. Miller i: a gangling ecgentric! The evening is short on wit, but with a touch of Danny Kayé. Ben-' provides moments of, quiet humor nett. appears to be pernianently;and there is a warmth that {fs irpuzzled by the odditées around) resistibly appealing. It’s no joke, him. Cook specializes largely injeven at 3,000 miles range, for a deadpan caricature and Moore,| girl to play a part created by such who is responsibie for the music,jan artiste as Mary Martin, but is also a considerable droll. vivacious, redhaired Jean Bayless One or two of their japes are aitakes it in stride. She is parshade too sour, notably a take ofr: ticularly at home in the. scenes called “The Aftermyth of War": With the children, giving “The which joshes the BBC admirably Lonely Goatherd’”’ and ‘‘Do-Re-Mi’ but also gives one the uncom-;the works and also scoring with ; ine . time | the title song, and in her duet with‘ ten part. fortable feeling that, at the time. ° tne captain. “Ordinary Couple:”? the war wasn't as furiny as all that: to a lot of people. There is also. The rest But a musical is sometimes as{ Problem here is negligible since’ the title seriously, even to the ex clamation point: The ‘musical is probably not the most riotous: show in Broadway history, but it: DYeok” would be a chancey .pres-. . Imay be one of the loudest. It’s as: if someone had set out ta prove: have to struggle.; that the Irish are allstereotype ! Patricia Healey grapples pertly; brawlers. but without much confidence with | the role of the daughter. Andrew Laurence deals out bromides skill The show's title refers to the! annual fair that used ta be held: in the town of Donnybrook, Ire-' fully as a tweedy, hidebound Eng-| land. It was noted for drunken , lish blimp, and Keith Baxter shows promise as a more _intellectual than ardent young lover. Greta Wood ‘sits around the staze as a Senile grandmother for no food apparent reason than to act as stooge to Miss Ryan. Robin Lloyd has an unnecessary role as ‘a servant.and Margaret Christen-* } sen as the late husband's mistress. ! copes Yaliantly with a stiffly writ .Alan Tagg’s decor pinpoints. the Roger Danrf makes a suitably un; horror of a penthouse in a luxury a brilliant but snide observation} bending Von Trapp in the: earty | London hotel. and Murray Mac on capital punishment. | stages, skilfully changing under the level of adult acid wit and fan-{ mor of his role of the impresario. tastic fooling. Whether it is Miler{but Eunice Grayson, though a debunking the death of Nelson, visual stunner, cannot make much explaining how 400 pairs of cordof the cardboard role of the Vien‘uroy trousers could get Tost in|mese other woman. from opera one year on public transport, or|€9™MeS Constance Shacklock to play leading the gang in a riotous skit | te Mother Abbess and her delighton the Old Vic: whether it be. ful singing of “Climb Every MounMoore trying desperately to finish oe genes the first act to an outa piano concerto: Cook explaining | S@0@!ns close. a that the reason he never became! Olive Gilbert as Sister Margaa judge was because he couldr?t | retta _unfortunately has no solo learn Latin, or caricaturing the but gives great help to the excelPrime Minister in a ty talk: or} lent nun’s chorus. Nicholas BenBennett as a pompous parson neck !nett.as Rolf has a Pleasant duet deep in platitudes, they are af} and dance, “You're Sixteen,” with admirable. Barbara Brown, a real discovery The effect is rather like a Third! Playing the eldest of the Von} prosecutor Program at the Victoria Palace,! Trapp children, and they carry out offering plenty of food for thought their slight romance with charm: for customers who wish it or just' The children effortlessly . steal sheer laughter for others. Since many of the scenes they are in and the four propose keeping the re yue topical by frequent new maSPIrit. ‘donald’s direction infuses some | ene _Yeality and life’into a static play.) Rich. ‘Three Posts On The Square London, May 19. te New Theatre Production Inc. presenta-: free-for-alls, so the name has come to mean a riotous melee or stugfest—a sort of Gaelic rumble or, Stretch a point. an authentic edi-!} . Ann Bowen, . Judy j Mickey. Gunnersen, Marissa ! * doomed. Darrell J. Askey.: dons the part and the story to do Joan Eagan! Vintage two-a-day hokum. coniedy ‘hoofing. Art Lund is admirably G Carney | cast as the giant:hero who. is uiti-' "Eddie Foy « mately forced to use. his fists. But it is. an. unknown, Joan. Fagan, Eddie Ericksen | making: her Broadway bow in. a leading part, who attracts attention | as singer and actress. She was : originally a chorus singer and then. understudy in the show, but. pro-: moted just before the tryout. tour. Her performance should lead to other attractive roles. oo ‘Susan. Johnsofi.. belts over. her Hobert’. Songs. and is amusing as an -un grieving widow, . Philip Bosco. is acceptably pugnacious as the heroine’s’ domineering brother, Sibyl. Bowan and Grace Carney are. laughable as r. Charles C. Welsh-is diverting as a_ very .human -local priest. and “Clarence Nordstrom is engaging as an enthusiastic ancient. ~ ae ‘Songs that might have stored. in a better show. include “Sad: Was: ‘the Day.” “Ellen Roe,” “The .Love able Irish,” “He Makes Me. Feel | I'm Lovely.” “I. Have: My Own: Way,” “Wisha-‘Wurra” and “Mr. | Flynn.” Arriving late in ‘the Sea son, .with’ a..small advance and practically no-parties ‘Helen Thompson’s Play of the Month Guild has taken several. weeks in June. however!) and a lack of §trong boxoffice names,.-“‘Donny-. pect .at best. As. is, it seems ' a Mode. Mandingo. Billy Baxter & Edward Friedman pres-: -entation of three-act drama ‘bv Jack Kirkland, based an the novel by Kvle Onstott:. Staged bs Louis MacMillan set+ tings and lighting. Frederick Fox. Stirs Franchot Tone: features Brooke. Hay-. ward, Duke Farley. Georgia. “Burke. Clarke Morgan. Burrows, Dennis Hopper: Opened May 22, ‘61. at the Lyceum ‘Theatre. N.Y.s $6.90 top. eshte Lucretia Borgia. :...:-... Georgia Burke tion of the occasional mob May| Warren Maxwell ...,~-...,Franchot Tone hem of television wrestling. _ } Calvin Brownlee .....:.-. * Duke Farley The impression seems to be that ;.Memnon .....;....+.¢.+.: Qlarke “Morgan : : -— rt nr ren M 6 the creators. of the show -feared | MUMMe. ccf: Eile Burrows, that audiences would be not. only ; Filen. steed eae cteneere, Maurishka err *( rn Ore af com. | Mee (eee ee eee ee ‘weeds 2 ATnold Moor hard of hearing but dull of com> ; Mede ..........e.00Rockne Tarkington prehension. Everything is. done ‘in| Lucy .... esac eee. Fran Bennett hioad, obvious terms, and the. performance has the pace. and. volume of a passing freight train. There's no such thing as subtiety, modula| tion ‘or restraint. No change of; T pace... oe yt “Donnybrook” (omitting the exclamation point hereafter! is a stage version of the Maurice Walsh novel titled. of afl things, “The Quiet Man.” John Ford made a picture some years ago with John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and Barry reputed to have. been a memorable. film. The legit musical,’ in con Lisingstone. Opened. May 18, 61, at the ‘trast, manages to discount a num Fy ‘ | tion thy arrangement = with Campbell! * Williams) of two-act (eight scenes) drama ‘ by I.eo dfeaps. Staged by David Giles, assisted by Eric Jones; decor, Kenneth Mellor. Stars Robert Eddison. Michael Craig. Ian ‘Wallace, Roy: Patrick. Douglas Arts TFhectre, London; 31:76 top. } Gen.’ Villiers..:....:,. .-Robert Eddison Gen. Lederer ......... .... Jan Wallace Col. Lessard '...... Coeceses ,-, Lee Fax Capt. Roux .......s.00., Michael Craig Lt. Duhene:.....c.0...005 Michael Spice Col. Cantry .......... weee-s. Alec Ross Blanc a eaeecenee Douglas Livingstone Claus ee eset cee aeee, Roy Patrick Native Prisoner ............ Fan Mullins ° bese eeeae »seeesDavid Burke Boule 2.0 l ccc cece cee eee Ricky Felgate _ Padre .......--.6Veeeees we ‘Soldiers....Ricky Felgate, Stewart Monro The three posts of the title of terial, it-is likely that the Fortune Sured moppet named Melanie Parr, !el-rent corner of North Africa that Theatre will become a regular rendezvous fer devotees as the same hduse was for addicts of { Flanders and Swann. Which is as Denyer as the butler, and Hilary .Clear a hint as possible to N.Y. | Wontner. Lynn Kennington, Silvia 1 j oroducer Alexander? H. Cohen, ; Beamish, kids. whn sponsored F. and S. on BroadJack Lorenzo are others who. play megalomaniac way Rich. ;Ssubsidiary but useful roles. (Coke has already acquired the U.S. rights to “Beyond the Fringe.” | based on Vincent J.. Donehue’s —Ed.: Peter Swanwick as the Nazi, Jay: The staging, by Jerome Whyte, is the main cynosure among the looks like Algeria. They are intend -ed to support the slumped bodies of two soldiers and an officer due to be shot for cowardice. . All the accused are innocent. Diana Beat mont and!The charge has been rigged bv a general to satisfy ‘his vanity’ and to save the face of a Heaps play. is one more indictment 'Smith and costumes by Lucindaithe shoddy power politics of an Herbert Manchiz leaves Sputh America next Sunday {28'.the mood of a show which is certo direct the bill of three modern! tainly not for cynics. Japanese plays he staged off-i pleasant tunes, the acting, Bioadway last winter. , the combination of religion and chil for Ballard’s costumes ditto, fit into army at war. a . Ballard s costumes _ The author, a Canadian business But the |Man, has an eve for theatrical effect. but. lacks skill. In dramatic. (Continued on page. 37) Jan Mullins © they are played with mischievous :this grim drama are on a square,! But the youngest, an as-.at a military headquarters in. a reb ber of agreeable elements. To accent the positive, Johnny Burke has written several good if hardly sensational numbers. If Robert E. McEnroe’s libretto Jacks adroitness or distinction, it apparently clings with . admirable fidelity. to the ‘original story. And Rouben Ter-Arutunian’s scenery and costumes, though seemingly limited by budget requirements, are vivid and tasteful. Ex-choreographer Jack Cole's Staging, in contrast, is gimmicky and distracting. ‘besides being . senselessly rushed and loud. There are few moments for anything but the broadest characterizations, | or anything like expressive variations of tempo or tone. His ‘chore Biz Pearl Hammond ‘— Verta Smart Dennis Hopper Maxwell”. .. Brooke Hayward: Blanche: Maxwell ‘ ve wn wee ee Coley Wallace. Probably. “Mandingo,” which opened last Monday night (22) at the Lyceum. Theatre: is no.‘more ‘sordid than, for example, “Camino. Real” or “The Balcony.” But it Z the Tennessee Williams and . Jean Genet plays all hollow .in Fitzgerald in leading roles. It tastelessness. Is there a market for such a deliberately tawdry shocker? Assuredly ‘not’. Broadway, or pictures, stock, little the-atres or foreign—and now . probably not’ off-Broadway.’ . Jack Kirkland, who. struck a: ‘bonanza with his dramatization of Erskine. Caldwell's “Tobacco Road" {Continued’.on page 58) :Touring Shows (May 21-June 4) (22-3)... — ‘Fiorella: (24 Co.—Municipal, Amarillo (22); Municipal, Lubbock, Tex. . (23-24); ‘Ector High School. Odessa. Tex. Tucson (29); Union. High School, Phoenix (30); Fox, San Bernardino: (3i-1); Granada, Santa .. Barbara: (2: Haves, . Bakersfield (2. 0s. Flower Drum. Song—Murat,:Indiane. apolis (22-27); Aud.,Rochester (29-3). “Gypsy—O’Keefe, Toronto (22-27);Shu ography is lively, with a suggesbert, Chi (29-3). tion of Gaelic themes, but. little point as to situation or charac- ‘bungling High Command. The Leo ' original, and the scenery by Oliver ‘Of the .wastefulness, the chicanery. j terization. 7 The story is about an American ex-prizefighter who, having accidentally killed an opponent in the ' ring, is determined to live a peace fl tife bui, on a visit to his ances tral Ireland, falls fn love with a, Hertman, : “trong girl and’ finally Bets | go (29-3). | into a fight to prove his manhood. Majority of One—Bilimore. EA. (29-3). Merry Widow (Civic Light Opera Assn.) —Philharmonic, L.A (22-3). Mo Miracle Worker (2d. Cod—Erlanger, Chi (22-3), ; . 7 Music Man-—Playhouse.. Wilmington (22-27); Shubert, New Haven (9-3). ° -_ My Fair Lady (2d Co.)—Hanna, Cleve. ‘22-3). ; ; Once Upon a Mattress—National, Wash. (22-27, closes). -_ Raisin tn the Sun—Aud., L’ville (22-24): Columbus | (25-27:; National we . ¢ Sound of Musie (2d Co.)\—KRNT, Des Moines (23-27); Paramount,’ Oma%a (29-3). But the inept treatment, -inelud-. ‘ shouted dialog, even in. the ro-. ‘mantic scenes,..and: the bellowed ‘songs. leave . an. audience's. ears: Susan Johnson, !' ,; . the rock ’em -and sock *em fight : rag-bag. harpiés,. Philip Huston. Vine : -Puilip Huston .. John A. Topa |: Arnold Soboloff © Bye Bye Birdie (2d Coa—Curran,.:S.F. / (2513. “Liberty Hall, El Paso (25-27);. University,