Variety (February 1964)

5B. need eo ag Sr CR TEE PE DDT ITEP . . . ' oe se 7 . “_Wednenday, Febroary 5 5; 1964 ~ Shows Abroad SS ‘continued from page . 56. = — Colin is “also. adequate 2 aS‘a: Jecher=/ ous stalwart, but. it..is “Thompson's: -show, and che: -gets* his ‘Fesponse | The Reluctant. Peer. _American-born’ ‘wife, livid: at his: ‘determination to -give ‘up. the family title, decides to: oppose’ him as. . B. Labor candidate. ; ‘His. mother, having failed: to pre|. vail -upon: the. pompous. butler to: stand: as. ‘Liberal... ds. tricked: into ‘letting her own name: 0 forward.. And . the ~ dauzhter‘s ‘Suitor, a. -pearded ‘young. -radical;:. contests: est, clean ‘fun. basedon. a. ridiculous. premise. With very. ‘telephone, the. piete. -gives ‘Tittle: chance .for . the . director, . ‘but. Charles ° Hickman -sueceeds: ‘in ‘keeping .the: action going. at a: reasonable . pace: The -best feature: of the -produétion is. the general |: quality of ‘the acting, with'a stand-.|'¥ out... performance by: ‘Sybil. Thorn| udike .as-.the.-Prime.. Ministetr’s: --mother., ‘Though’ occasionally hesi-: ‘tating. over: her’ lines,. her. ¥ivacity: and profe: ‘sional. skill. are always’ ‘to the: fore. Naunton Wayne makes ‘a. bland I} and ‘unflappable premier. : He: AS | even unconcerzed when’ he loses. “the election to his mother.. ‘Frank: ‘PettinzeH. is delightfully: pompous as the true-l’u2 Tory. butler. Helen ‘Horton plays te reluctant -/peeress with gay. determination. and. Imogen Hassall fives a. ‘pert and: ‘lively study as the teenage -daugh-| ter. who: has just'served a. jail term” foranti-nuclear” demonstrations. Peter-Bourne is ‘adequate .as: her. Communist . admirer,.-and. ‘William Stephens and’. Viola Lyel add: a. touch of ‘comedy: as. titled Socialist: YFelatives of the. new. chief: execus. tive. : ‘Anthony Holland ° has ‘designed a lavish sitting: room. set in a castle home... “Muro. Monsiemr. Blaise. london. Jan.. 10. John Farbes. Semnill. &:.:Marcellus Pro-. ductions. presentatian. of “A farce in three . acts By Claude Madnier.. Stars. Jimmy f Thompson. Cc athérine Welter. ‘Staged “by Darry -Guerin.” Ovened. Jan.°9, .°64,. at te Roygt Court. ‘The Ate... London: $3. 1S Awan sre eceeeae Denise Alworth. Natalie o:.......... Clavissa.. Newcombe ‘M.. Blalse vineceeeses Jimmy Thonipson Marie... Loewe ences Catherine Feller Genevieve... fesse eee _ Olivia Hamnett Kleber Carlier -. eee: Jan Colin. Shine ¢ irber.seeeblenens. dein Ingram. Lauta Lema eewccece! -Carral: Mason Pepita awe eseopeeted Jill: Curzon “Delivery. Man ‘Vea + a vite ’ The ‘Royal. Court. “Theatre. the | Co: tenipororily | closes for recon‘struction. in’ Mareh while the resident: troup: mov>s elsew here. *Monsieur Blaise’.“is .presented: by. another: commercial matiasement for a limited . rith “of, a “month,. with’ its sights: on a transfer, Prospects of this ‘being achieved ‘are. doubt-. ful. desvite the..saucy ineredients | of its plot.and t%> cher‘etic. play| ing. of: Jimmv -Thomopson: in’ the} title role, But 4 ‘similar farce, im-. ported frotiv the! Paris boulevards. andealled | -“Boring-Bosing,’ , been holding’ London audiences for “More. than: two™ years,. and, -in, some.| ’ respects, it. is. not’ as’ ingenious as. this. one. “Blaise. is; an -imoecunious artist: who. gets. progressively more’ in‘volved. with a string .of comely gals, a quartet-hour. of ‘curtain-up, Blaise is cavorting. ‘around | without _ his trousers, thts. setting the tone: ‘for the. mechanical. capers: to. follow.. The tale -rouchly -concerns:: the} hero’s efforts: to-et. ‘himself ° into the .. black,. which ‘involves... His: courting. a: rich. manufacturer: wha ! eyes ‘him .as a praspective sonsin= 1 ; : Jaw for a lispint niece. ‘Thompson, * ‘hitherto ‘mainly as revue. comedian, ‘iS. tech-11 ; nically, impre<sive throuzhout. and: dons. an’ endearing..air ..of. puzzle -“ment.. He only needs, more projec- -tion to: register. more strongly, but it isa performance. of agility and " finesse... ' scarcely | and:. most~. ‘of extended, ‘t{hem.-lack’ the light. touch. An exe: ception ts: ‘Catherine Feller,: ‘pert and piquant as.the. stock. character of the: country: brmpkin ‘involved. in. urban orgies: .and. thoroughly ‘enjoying. the experience. . The other. gals seem. toHave ft ‘been ‘chosen :for their stripping: “e@apability rather : ‘than’. their deft: “handling of dialog. avhich ‘is; in any’ casé, lifeless. in’. Ninian| Kipling’s translation. J ill. ‘Curzon. passes: as’ a Spanish man-eater,-and-it is’ also. a pity. that. she: is..the. only.one to keep: robed. to” the: bitter ‘end. Tan te Feat of puppetry. rather than: the-. ‘atriealskill. On. this level, .it has. -to.: compensate: for the tedious | -stretthes. ‘the seat asa Communist: All hon-| ™ workable but farish. even’ ‘though it’s | ~” . nearly one-half of |... “the dialog being’ spoken. into’ a} Ay ‘Lewis. *Opene ‘af ‘Yorks Theatre, : Landon; Victoire “Bitos. .. J oseph . Delanque. “ ‘Jess: piece, -in‘Lucienne Hill’s. ca-. |-pable translation, has ‘been. tratisferred. after its limited run at the ‘New Arts: ‘Theatre Club, -and its |-b.o. _prospects. look healthy: for ‘a. ‘moderate . erigagement. . One ‘small. change. “of... cast,: -fect.. the ‘general ._ Stylishness. : ‘of Shirley. ‘the ‘author's: scathing: premises is -acceptable, . the ‘play. vigorously: en-: tertaihs. up. to” the. faltering. last. act. “formance . of Donald Pleasance,: ‘as. ‘the bullying and: toadying : Bitos, who is: ‘viciously discomfited: at. ‘the: 7 aristocratic. ‘faney-dress ‘party. His ‘|-defense of “himself, ‘hero, Robesnierre, is a formidable: |’ -embodies. . Anouilth's .. scornful ‘nities-‘are heaped. “upon” hini,. and ‘eruel as’ that. of his -perseéutors. -Charles. Grav‘ -persecuting’ Maxime,. ‘and | Ronald. Lewis: is.. more’ assured. as: the: dis: ‘solute Julien: a wi Peter Ives fe . inevitablv. . terésted. ‘there is some ‘lack: of: precision | in: one -has | -| John: Dexter;., assisted’ by Piers: -Ronald™ Cox. “who: ‘also. gét | steadily. ‘less j ‘eladas the. night: proceeds: “Within | top. mere eeememere Fhe... ‘other: players, are. straight from ‘the abdomen.. But..thefarce is ‘methanieal, a its: moments, ‘largely. due ‘to: Darry. Guerin’s staging, but ‘not sufficient: The. ‘anonymous ” set: is: Otte. ‘Poor. Bitos London,. Jan. 1. -Codron . presentation -. ‘of a Michael Jean: Anouilh...Staged three-act: drama’ by: Shirley.-. Butler; | ‘decor; O’Brien:. costumes, cyclen Guest. Rona: nce; arles Gray, Donald. . Pleasan ‘Jan.. 6, -*63,: at. the. Duke $3:50 ' top-. buch etc a cae e ate: ‘Charles Gray ehees ee ‘Victor. Winding Weeccopee ‘Michael Golden ‘Tuco we wecdeatete ae * Ronald Lewis. ee Caroline ‘Blakiston «eee ae a pee eee %eee Vulterne’ . ‘ee Brassac. 0.2 o.. 235. Descha mps.. “Terence. Alexander : * Patrick o’Connell “lee an cee coe vee. ‘Narissa Knights ; yates “Donald. .Pleasance. viet eee es, _ Gregory, “Warwick avi a ec! Martin Jarvis Douglas Cann Robespierre as child | Jean: Anouilh’sacrid: ‘and: heart: .Narissa: Knights: nicely: filling. ‘out the’ only humane. ‘charaeter:in the play, does not ef- ‘Butler's © staging; . and, if Chief “Auidience-bait:. 4s. the per-' ‘and of. his. theatrical | climax, «and he cleverly tentions.. He wriggles and vauicms like a. -high-voltag? ‘eel while indig-his “own *. time * of. triumph . is as. also.’ ‘Scores as the. The: play, “full -of déamatic. ‘in: genitity. (the: . parallels. ‘between .post-1945 ° France. and: the Revolu-. normal: home of the ‘Enetlish. Stage} tionary. period: are “‘piquantly’ drawn), > loses ‘some of. its | power ‘ences, ‘who | ‘are : remote: and: disin-. in’. Paris politics: And: ‘the supsorting: performances. : But: cit. was Anonilh’s intention. té ‘prod the mind, rather’ than en-’ 7 Stage. Productions ‘Ltd. & ‘William: Donaldson. (for Jack Waller Ltd. ), by arrange: : ment with .Donald™ Albéry,: presentation.. “of -a_ drama: in’ three ‘acts’ by. August: list sympathies, ‘This it achieves. in this production... which is “also helped bv Timotlhv: chilly and. adaptable: set. Otta:.” “ Wobson’s Choice”. woos Tondon, Jan. e National: Thestre. ‘revivat. ‘of a. three-act comedy by¥ ‘Harold “Brighouse: : Staged: by Motley; . ‘decor’ and > . costumes,” Joan. .Plowritht,Frank..:Finlay; features: Mary. Miller, .‘Jeanne . ‘Hepple, ‘Nicholls:. Opened. « Jan. 1, G4; “Alice Hobson’ Stag of Vickey” ‘Hobson . lees Maggie enon Vise “Albert Prosser. .°” ‘Henry Horatio: Hobson: “Nichael Redgrave. Mrs. Hepworth . . Enid: Lorimer ‘Tubby.’ Wadlow ‘Willie ‘Mossop Jim. Heeler. . ; Ada “Figgins” .@ vcdeagtines ‘Fred Beenstock . j.DrMacFarlane “ries : "I eanne: Hepple. wo eee oe “ee ee a 2S ! we peewee eee * Frank. Finlay a ‘Harry Lomax -Jean . Rogers ‘Raymond ‘Clarke eravseceae to. its: alreadvformidable ‘roster: huniane | ‘and homely . .comedy : ‘for revival: is’ well :justified.. “It: not only represents that: . lively . “and ‘who | flourished “in: Manchester in ‘the’ early . years ..of ‘the’ ‘century, |’ reasons, . howevert,... the. comedy |. in this excellent production. John | Dexter: directs with an unerring ‘is helped. by accurate and: detailed mA set. interiors, by: Motley, Which § give. ‘FimothyT Susan ‘Clark |Hugh Manning J. ‘first-rate | ‘revival. ‘other: plays already: seeif-in the. Na‘tional . Theatre repertory, ' -includ|: ‘ing. : : Shakéspeare: ‘Bernard Shavw,, George Farquhar,’ and Ghekhov, it. is quite: a fribute to: the. ‘versatility for non-French._:’ : audi--} 0 Brien’s Ss } Pride:. Hagegard::|: lighting, |* ‘Stars Michael. Redgrave,.|. Anthony: : cat. .the |x National Theatre told: ‘Vie, ‘London: $3, 951: Mary. Millerce ~Joan Plowright Terence -Knapp . Reginald Green. Anthony ‘N icholis : phis. is ‘the aft production” ‘in. known! ‘the first: National Theatre season; | ° and it adds a: further. achievement: The ‘choice of Harold ‘Brighouse's: observant “school” of... dramatists “Pact. . but: it. makes. a belated tribute -to. Brighouse; who. died only in: 1958, +: | desporident bout ‘the: -chance. that plays like this would acquire. Lon-. | don recognition. .: “Quite: apart’ from.. these. literary | stands — “up, unfaded. and ‘undated, ||: feeling for the* ‘period, .and for the. nuances. of. provincial manners,. He’ depth’ ‘to: ‘the. action,” and: by. ‘two. -.*\. superb: Pieces. of casting” ‘in. the: cen, tral. roles.-* ‘_ : The: play: (which was last. ‘pré-| "| sented “in, London in1952: for..a | limited’ club © Tun). concerns... the managing and — efficient © ‘Maggie Hobson, -who. weds: the ‘bashful; ‘illitergte ‘workinan.. in ‘her: father’ S x ..| Shop. . .She. ‘proposes ‘to. him, breaks" up -a previous Haison,. ‘and. “trans-“forms him, into a husband. ‘worthy ‘of’ respect. and able, in the end, ‘to: -Offer a°. partnership ‘to: her, domi neering: ‘father.::. :~ ‘Basically, it's . ‘the.tale of ‘the. WOrmt . that turns, with an. admix“| ture of -the shréw that. gets. tamed. can 7} And the. coriedy‘progresses. ‘im: a Le ‘series of. strong scenes. which give. ‘great _ opportunities. to ‘the ‘right thesjs: ‘Joan Plowright | js. perfect | “as. Maggie, dodging . the’ pitfalls of arrogance. and ‘bossiness that beset: thecharacter. ‘She: ‘establishes «the. |heroine as -a.woman who: gets her]: “Own ‘Way because’ -she is usually | right. She organizes other people's: : lives because it is_ good for them=— | and. they: come: to: accept: ite. ‘As the unambitious worker eon" tent’ with. his lot. until Maggie: takes. -him® by. the. “‘seruft -. of. his “neck, Frank. ‘Finlay -is: ‘equally: ‘fure. ‘He | has‘several ‘brilliant : moments,.: of: which’ his ‘restive “acceptance: .of -Maggie's. “blunt. proposal: and. his. ‘nervous fumbling ‘to postpone Bet-ting’.into -the marital ‘bed: on ‘the: wedding highf, ‘ are: “highspots, “His: final. triumph over his masterful} * | former boss, is -alsd splendidly:man-. aged; Finlay -. earlier’ docile’ self..for ‘a: brief: mo-* “Felapsing" to his: ment to: point. the contrast. : The ‘main* disappointment’ ‘is. the ‘performance. of Michael Redgrave ‘as. the dictatorial: Hobson:. He plays ‘the part.in a thick: beard: ‘aS a sort: ibaa northern: King Lear, ' ‘and ‘misses: the . | which-is’ the heart of the. character. |-It ‘cannot. help: but’. be a capableaS. yet. .it: doesn’t jel. Fatally,’ for the shape ‘of. the play, -this--Hobson. ‘is. not. “extravagant ° -egocentricity slice. of. acting, "but, formidable, : and his. eventual Sub jugation | ‘iS “not. that ‘of -a“giant. tumbling, : as it should ‘be: ‘Other. support is: adequate. ‘and ‘there is. some uncertainty with the Laneashire’ . aceent: But‘Jeanne ‘Hepple scores as one. of ‘Maggie's: lightweight. sisters, and Anthony, |-Nicholls makes the most: of.a brief: |.cameo as. the docfor‘who. prescribes ‘the returtn,‘of “Maggie .as the eure. to: old Hobson’s : ‘ailments, * But; taken: asa. whole;. this” is. cal: Added: to, the. “of: the: ‘company that. Laurence. ‘Olivier. has assembled: ‘that . they-| can: score -s0° freely: in so many. ifs. fer ent: ‘styles. -Otta.* The Father” cs London, Jan.-.16:. ‘Peter. Rawiey” (for: “Associated. ‘London {| Strindberg; translated” by Michael’ Meyer. | Staged. -by Casper Wrede; .decor, Malcolm: ‘lighting, | Richard Pilbrow. — Stars’ trevor Howard.: Joyce Redman; features . [Alfred ‘Burke, Gwen: Nelson, “>t Opsned'. Jan. 15,: ‘‘Fheatre, London; $3.55 . top.: . Poe as tees ek eS Gwen. Nelson . These seegs Somes Swine as classic ‘is. Sin fora ‘ three-week engagement. at the Piccadilly Theatre, though there is..an inevitable. expectation on the ‘part ‘of. the. ‘Management. ‘that “it: willwarrant’ ay: transfer : then. :Prospects | ‘can ‘be } fairly: rated ‘about 50-50, with. the: ~ | Marquee. appeal. of Trevor Howard: as ‘the. main. hope for. such: @ Move... Striridberg’s. powerful | and’ im-. | pressive :-exercisé,.in which. he :displays: ‘al: intense. ‘hatred of women, | ‘is. presented. ‘in a new, lucid transation’ by. ‘though ‘it-is’.a tense and ‘often: dis-. .tarbing. treatment,’ this ‘production ‘Michael. “Meyer. only makes a Jimited emotional im “It. at’ the, intellect: than at ‘the emoWrede: *°. oo tleties of ..the-. male -Star’s per ‘filled: :-by -Trintignant; ‘Michael de. Re: \-tempt, ‘hascome up with. a. ‘formless .and empty. -comedy, : “Bonheur,. -Impair : (Happiness, Strange:: : which. has been. ‘imperfectly cast: and: ‘is ineptly. ‘di-~ ‘rected by the ‘authoress. It is likely . 7 to have a brief: run: -: ‘The play. involves. the. complex: ities and. contradictions. of, love’ ‘in. ‘| Czarist Russia; with a. gorie-to-seed | aristocrat being: foolishly jealous of | -et' .Passe” ‘and Fleeting’’),. Daniel © theatre... Zurich; : $4. MOP, : Kalliander * .| Simandas. | ‘High. Priest 220012. os mann Nigel. Stock. : "64. at the Piccadilly }. Captain « feeb weed e eat eee. “Trevor. ‘Howard Pastor -s»’. Alfred Burke’ Orderly ele ctigeeseccus: : Maleolm Tierney Od... ... ee re Ee -.. Trevor .. Peacock. «sre Joyee Redman. Nigel Stock “F 0 ‘MaxweltMuiler : ‘| Venice.” Thisrevival: of the Strindberg. -Only:” few; But. ‘isn ibe especially convincing: despite: Trevor Howard's carefully j: ‘observed and ‘studied. ‘performance. : The appeal seems to’ be aimed: more. ‘tions: and this: may: be’ due to the | cautious. direction : by. Cas: per] ‘The dramatic’ “strength: “of: the |. ‘play depends’ largely onthe sub-: formance. | Howard,. as expected,. vividly conveys. the: impression of.. ‘a’ Man ‘trapped. by.. circumstances, and. the: climatic: Scene, An: which ¢ his ‘old: nanny ‘gets: him. 'intothe ‘provides . a / pathetic . {and tender. touch. a “The weak: link ‘in the. ‘production . {is the ‘interpretation of the wife by straitjacket, Joyce’. Redman: She “gives... a ‘colorless; . one-key «. performance, ‘playing ~ “the -role on” -a ‘“note} | of. ‘surprising . -casualness: . Nigel’ Stock,.:as the: new. ‘family doctor. ‘suspicious: of. the wife’s schéeming,. a typically. ‘reliable per-, -formance. : “ | Alfred ‘Burke: wnakes: the best. of his. few: opportunities ‘as the wife's. Pastor. brother, and. -Gwen.Nelson gives a-sincere: study: as. the nurse.. “Jo: ‘Maxwell-MuHer makes. .a° lively-| -impression... as ‘the: daughter, and . ‘two. minor. parts. are: adequately. |* Malcolm. ‘Tierney: and. | gives ‘Trevor ‘Pedcock. -. : Malcolm -Pride ‘has’ designed a simple, ‘but:: effectively decorated,. living room. set. i Myro. "Bonheur, ‘Impair. et. oS Passe’... >: (Happiness, Strange’ and Ficeting) ‘Paris, .Jan.. VT. ‘Claude ‘Genia, ‘presentation of comedy in‘'two’ acts .(nine., scénes),” by: Francoise Sagan. Staged ‘by the author;'. scenery and .costumes, Georges’ ‘Wakhevitch. Stars Juliette Greco. . -Daniel Gelin, ‘Jean-Louis ‘features Alice. Opened | ‘Jan. 16, °64,at: the~ ‘Theatre Edouard VIL, ‘Paris; $4 top. Angora. wis eee ot ‘Igor. preceoreces) ee eesasceees ‘Daniel Gelin |WI Aimire oo. eee _ Jean-Louis rm-intienant, ‘Mother cl... c gece eee sweet Alice Corea’ Stanislas SAS, bees “Michael de. Re. “As: her ‘fourth. stage: ‘writing. at-:. .novelist: <Francoise. Sagati his wife, but. finally realizing that she.is true to him,-after. practically forcing: her : into: the arms of. a ‘young . adventurer.’ There. is . little } ‘period ‘atmosphere, and. the epigra-“matic . writing tends... to: ‘be. too: | slight. 00 = | Miss. Sagan, in her, first: attempt as’ a ‘stager,. reveals. ‘little instinct | ° for. it, and ‘the: effect is accentuated: -by ‘the. miscasting ~ -of Juliette. “Greco in: thé subtle role of. the wife: and. Jean-Louis. \ Trintignant ‘are : ‘acceptable as the ‘husband and ° “suitor, ‘Tespectively.. Gelin® ; € ‘leopatra ptr Zurich, Jan. 42. : arranged. by Eduard. -Hartogs. Lotfi: Mansouri; ‘conductor; :. ‘choral choreography, Jaraslav-: Berger; director, ‘Hans. Erismann; ‘technical: direc. tor, Willy Loeffel:lighting, Jakob Schlosstein. Operied.. Dec. 31, : we phweceduetie. Max. Lichtesg Albert. Pulmann i -@ @-we eS eeeseeeeane .| Nephoris:: ..... eeads v.. Jageborg: Fanger Cleopatra +... “oll 2 "Hilde Koch ‘| Ekelos* 1. .2:.5.0. "Gottlieb. Zeithammer Tepulos | seeeeseceseees Leonhard Paeckl -Rabian ....... ‘eceeisig.. Alfred Strasser God: Schabernack .” ‘Esyptologists, = eal, ‘Ralph Telaskoee “Plate Karayanis |Dancers wes | Virginia Zango Johann Strauss’ Jack of. discrimi maus” and, least, “Gypsy. Baron” ‘and “Night in however; ception: . Eduard. ‘Hartogs. with . Julius Caesar, tenor, Max: ‘local. ‘operetta’ personality, ‘love with him; and. they’ ‘succeed to ‘in Switzerland). triggered the choice the locale: of the story. repeatedly . Sale, | Don ‘ Battye, ‘Barnes, Cocéa,. 24, Om., Eduard . Har-" ‘togs:. scenery” and” costumes, Fritz: : Butz: "63, at: the: Stadt-| . Denys. Seiler |-Vincenzo -Biagi.| “coteti¢, cent “Jerry Burr. ‘nation .inchoosing : ‘books for’ his |: operettas “has, caused’ many of his. Stage ‘works* ‘to sink into’ ‘oblivion, . hotable : ‘exceptions being . “Fleder: ‘in. middle -Europe at _There. have. been many |. attempts | to resurrect some of this }.‘lost. musical wealth: with New. librettos and: different. Settings. : have: suc-. ceeded, cand” “Cleopatra” is. no. ee ‘drama .in -two acts, .Georges Sidre. The. music | comprises ‘vocal num| 8 -bers and. orchestral ‘bridges . from |. several forgotten operettas by -the | 44 ‘Strauss brothers, Johann and the |’ ‘less popular~. ‘Joseph, . arranged “by the Zurich Stadttheatre conductor, . _The . new: book, “set ‘during the early reign of Cleo-.|. ‘patra just prior. to her. encounter is-‘by Swiss. ‘Lichtegg, *. “a ‘popular ‘open’ the “way. for “her. encounter. with ‘Caesar in. Alexandria, -.” Whether the topical value of ‘the jCleopatra’ theme. because. of the: ‘Liz: Taylor ‘film. (as-yet unreleased ‘ of ‘story isn’t: clear.. In any: case, clashes , with’ the” often _ natively | Viennese | Stratiss musie: and” “Tee. ‘sults inanincongruous aixture’:. a _ that is only: sporadically convines -* ing. (such as, for ‘example; «in”:an. oor “Egyptian March” that catches thee. 00 ‘right flavor). In‘ its..own: ‘Tight, the. -..0 0° 1 -music--is tuneful. and easy’ on the -::” ear, but-.the. -book. has: ‘many. dull : stretches: . The. staging’é of: Lotfi Mansouri, van: Ly American; “has. style. and .imiagina ‘tion, ‘but-is obviously hampered by .}the:thin material. : Along. with ‘his colorful staging; top. credit should. © *:° go to. Fritz Butz;-whose. simple but: : |. effective | sets:: and costumes -are; a." “major asset. Jaroslav. Berger’s.cho|. reography is -adequdte, ‘as-is: Har-. : togs’. musical. direction. . ‘In the title: role,-Hilde Koch. is.” attractive ..and -vocally excellent,. : ‘| while Lichtegg: as.the Beneral’ *. a only. partly convincing. ’ ‘Mezo.' | Every: Child’s Garden. of oe Revue?’ -Melbour: [e., Jan. D5. fe “Arts Theatre. presentation of: an: intia mate revue, with local material by David =~. -°<).-Robert Walker, -.: Ray, Biehler, ‘Ray Kolle; overseas ‘ material: “py: Billy. . Dennis “Wilson... Staged by Barbara | Barbara -Angell, -. ‘Peter Pinine, -Alan.: Melville; Anthony ‘Cameron. Angell; . pianist, . decor, Features: Barbara “Arfgell,. ° ‘Gordon ° French: ‘David ‘Sale, Marion :Becroft,. Paul..Karo:.Opened Jan.-: wey . 64, at the Arts. ‘Theatre, Melbourne;. meage $1.80 top. ; _— no _ Juliette. Greco-| revue. Friday and: Saturday nights. at the. recently . ‘opened Arts ‘The atre in the: heart” of. Melbourne’s theatre--district. Alt-hough.the™ = actual ‘stage’ show. starts’ at “11:30... 7 :.-. (in= o are “elusive. ‘in ‘admission) are. Served: 7: patrons; from 11 p.m.. with. ‘Tevue70.20, itself lasting ° ‘75. minutes: without, an ‘intermission. : a _ AS: “‘intimate:: revues go. “this. is. at ‘| tairily:: ‘average, . with 22. items;: 7. ee cast. of: four. “plus” a.. pianist." doesn’t’ break. any. new. -grotind, but) 2... has*a ‘reasonably. high’ Score: rating ae ‘for. entertainment, ‘with, only. about. °:: ‘five ‘of’: the coffee: ‘and. . savouries items Sagging, . mainly: ~ due -:to overlength. and repetition: A : few. items: have been. ‘imported ‘from. overseas ‘and: some. . ‘even seen in. revues in’ “Sydney: at: the Phillip .Fheatré, or. the Copen-. agen. -These-. are | “amongst est — There. an “Staging. has been slickly effected by Barbara -Angell and. the. four-: some work hard with a great num: ber of. -swift. changes. “All. are. ob ‘viously, talented: and display ‘much ; promise: for the. future... -David. Sale’ emerges: ‘best, exud-ae ing“ the ‘most -polish and. individue: -°.:-: | ~! ality. Marion Becroft has 2 natural. ‘dead-pan. expression,: ‘although she -. ‘misses:-on. ‘some. line-pointing ° and personality . build-up. . Although. ‘Paul Karo is. fine in. all. his: appearances he also :lacks : per--sonality -force:.Of the quartet: Miss*) ... .., Angell possesses’ the most. potenee tial, but . currently ‘is ‘handicapped with ‘investment in:the’ Staging... uf All-in all, this. looks like ‘a ‘use-.. ful. contribution . -to:Melbourne's meagre night. life and the present .venture is good enough to: set. a new : “trend: here... Stan. Le ‘Mariage. (The Marriage) — Meee Paris, Jan: 13. Jorge. ‘Lavelli. presentation of comedyy¥ browicz; adapted ‘by. Coucou-Chanska and . "64, Recamier; ’ Paris; $2. top. at the Theatre Olivier. ‘Lebeaut Les eroe ee eee . weaeecee Juliette: -Brac Ce ee ee _ Fernand _Berset others. Soldiers, “Phis” is. an: unelear;. “offbeat ‘play. swith: shafts. of insight and“ production values, ‘but not -much, potential . for. export. ‘The. form. and treatment: « is a.sort.of hybrid theatre of the‘absurd, Brecht and Grand: Guignol. . The: ‘plot concerns: ‘the meeting of ‘Cleopatra. with a young Egyptian ‘general ‘who. is “mistaken: for ‘the. queen’s rebellious ‘cousin. trying. to: dethrone her: When his’ true iden-| -tity is ‘revealed, the queen-falls in ‘The . play.” is. -a:-kind . of: waking ‘dream: in’ which ‘the ‘hero. comes back: ‘from the‘ wars ..to'-find his -hiome...an. inn.. and. -his ; fiancee a‘): fat, sluttish “serving maid.* There :~ ‘in. the parental hatred, ‘but the: principal 7 | theme seems to’ be. the” havoc. Of re | war. | ‘are. Freudian. ‘elements ‘make’ this: more than a promising ‘theatrical debut for a. known: but Jittle’ performed Argentine resi-. Wald. . dent; Polish _ Playwrient, | Gombrowicz. : A. new innovation | is: “Tate: night.” this 000 ‘the. on Topical. Focal. references mainly’... TE, ‘miss by not being, satirical enough, :. and on-the political side: Indonesia: : figures séveral times with ohe item. . featuring. -President Sukarno. AL ‘standout ‘solo: “centres. : around ae ‘Playboy Bunny‘ suffering ‘from o: _ }Anyxamotosis; | evitable’ parody of. The: Beatles, which. ‘doesn’t: quite take: . ©: “Stadtitieatre . presentation. . -of ‘operetta in three acts, with: book: by Max .Lichtegg. -‘and::music: by Johann:.and Joseph Strauss, Stzged. by in-. Witold ‘ ‘Gom-: * Staged -by: Jorge Lavellis . -[sets and. enstumes, Krvstvna Zachatowicz.. | Opened -Jan.. 11,. -.Francoise’ Mirante. Alexis Nitzer: ~ Cjaudine: Raffallf ° On. the. whole, there is too ‘uch. 2 ‘shouting ‘and. extranéous matter. to SAL nn are ea ars ere selene ne Oa Bape eye ue baritone ke ae oe ehetnapemae ye! ae . 4 . . 7 " . ih . : : . v6 ’ weyet ‘ enna: Siva des Chili oe 1S of ne It. a Lo.