Variety (February 1964)

5B Foxy, ‘David. Merrick _presentation of ‘musiéal] comedy in: two. acts. (14 scenes, 19 num } bers), with book by Ian McLellan Hunter. and Ring Lardner Jr.5 lyrics. by Johnny } Mercer and music’ by Robert. Emmett ‘Dolan, suggested . by... the: Ben “Jonson [ play. “Volpone-”” Stag ta by -Robert . Lewis: choreography. ‘and “musical. stag| “fing. Jack = Cole: scenery’ and lighting. } Robert Randolph: ‘costtimes;; Robert Fletcher: musical direetion and vocal. arYFangements,.. Donald Pippin: orchestraj ‘tions;. Edward Sauter arid Hal Schaefer; dance music: ‘arrangements, Hal Schaefer. Stars Bert Lahr. Larry Blyden;: features’ Julienne Marie, Cathryn Damon, Robert H. | Harris, Anthony Kemble. John T.. Davidson, -Edward. Greenhalgh, Gerald -Hiken. Opened Feb. 16,} 64, at the Ziegfeld Theatre, N.Y.;.. $6.80. top F. ida ‘Saturday “Kapinsky 2. .iesseeseaee , Michael McGuire ze : $9.40 | ‘top * y , Hlarman a tealen eb ee esew eee te Brace eee : eo eb ee teeees “Laer Blydeni rons resemeileeredrcetes . Boxy” : ae pace eee sere lens wen Bert * LahrBrusteim, oo cceseccseess Rico Froehlich. Bedrock ...casesses“Robert H. Harris | Mirsky... .4. 0.0 fee .. Anthony Palmer’ Buzzard) .c.eecac ees “waward, Greenhalgh ? Rusikov. ........-eeess¢+ Mervyn Williams. ‘Shortcut ...... ewancisresee ‘Gerald Hiken | Alliluyev ... 0. cee ee eee es “Ramon. Bieri’ Drunk — .ecevanenaes a wae Tony «Kraber -Olga:. Evgéyevna .. Seeee . Betty ‘Welker Mountie Teae ese c eter nee ‘John. Hallow Nadezhda serene cee eee ‘Elizabeth Hubbard Brandy © 2.0 sees eeeenes €athryn. ‘Damon { Chugurin i... 6.6.00e 90 “Don Wesley: Oliver initacketeedeee bed ‘Will Parkins Molotov Ske eebsceredeess . Simm Landres Celia. 2 0.0 ..cceeeesec.Julienne Marie | “RYKOV |... ee cece eepecee: : “John A. Coe Prospectors oy el wees Newt. ‘Sullivan,’ Sukhanov-_ debe desseeee Nicholas. Sounders " Eadie ‘James: Herb’ Fields | Skobelov. “1. ovens Sede s eee Mervyn Williams. Stirling... 00. te cere ed David... Rounds r. Cheidze < cewee Do cee a we o's Rico eroehtich, Eskimos John “Waller, John . ‘Aristedes |. Lenin -. =... rortsFies oo'e oie wee aa Ader. Lord | Hottingham ‘Krupskaya’ ...s2eees cess vie ‘Bettv rj Grigori. Nikitin‘... ne wee: Mit Komen]: Anthony. ‘Kemble. Cooper wee ene serie John, Taliaferro | giereyman ae oo ce -o John Davidson}. * Laurette: .. 2.2... cee. Mary Ann. Corrigan Marie | °.::v...+.+.-..Constance Meng Bellboy . -John Taliaferro . ‘Prospectors: Sohn ‘ Aristedes, ‘Carlos | Bas: Charles Cagle, George . Del Monte, ‘Lang. Des Jardins,Herbert : -‘Flelds. Tim _ Harum, Lee Howard, Eddie. Jamés.. John Keatts,. Robert LaCrosse. Will. Parkins, Newt Sullivan, . John. Taliaferro, : ; John Walter. Sailoan “Girls: | ‘Helen Baisley:: ‘Mary: Ann | Corrigan, Virginia Craig, Judith Dunford, | Alice Glenn; Marlena. Lustik, Ethel. Mar,tin, Constance Meng.’ Naricy. Myers, Shelly.| Rann,’ Sueanne Shirley, June Eve" Story, éMany.| “Ways. to Skin. a Cat.” .“‘Rallin’. in: ‘Gold,”* | Susan Terry. “Musical Tumbers: _ ‘Prologue, “My Weight . in Gold,” “Money Isn* “t | Everything,” |. ‘Larceny. and © Love.” “Ebenezer: McAfee _ Ill,” .Talk .to ‘Me,.| Baby.” “This Is My. Night: ‘to Howl,” “Bon Vivant." Act: Oné Finale,“It’s Easy When | You Know How, “Run,..Run,Run. Cin-. (reprise), |. of the. Gamé,”.:“‘A ‘Case | derella,”” “Talk ato Me, Baby" ried Os Way: ‘Aheat @f Rape,” “In. Loving. Memory,” When. “Bert Lahr’ is* ‘onstage; a Fiiale. “Foxy” is very funny: hokum. When | the plot intrudes,‘however, last]. “Sunday. night’s -(16). opening. at the Ziegfeld Theatre -is a ‘labored musical.. The-‘overallimpression —is that this new David Merrick -pro-duction ‘should: “get: a. moderate | Broadway ‘run, but isa question-. able. prospect to: pay ‘off: dubious | material for: pictures, : ‘but © offers | pressive... “The. ‘Passion. “of. Jos af Dp isan ‘intellectual. rather: than’ a theatrical | show. It. may. be of: inter“st. to. his: tory buffs, particularly. studsnts of} ‘the’ ‘development’ of Soviet. Russia; | ‘possibilities as.‘a stock. vehicle. “Foxy,” of course; is the shov |. that had its original: tryout at. Daw| son City. in the Yukon;supposedly. to establish ‘that : ‘remote: town in. -Ganada’s. northwest ‘as.°a tourist. attraction. On.the basis of its ini-. ‘tial reception,. plans’ to: ‘bring it to ‘Broadway: were Aelayedabout | a-year, There's | a. suspicion “that, reatiz: ‘ing: ‘that. the: material ‘was: slight, sort © to: -all’ his old’ low: comedy |. ‘antics: to give “Foxy”: life. -To a cosiderable extent. it” works, and the -star. is: convulsing: as . always: with ‘his. outrageous. niugging; his -gurgles. and’ ‘squawks and‘ the. mi-~ -raculous sense -of. timing and em-. .. phasis that has made -him ‘oneof ‘the great clowns ‘of the mausi¢al: his next: work, cand then: ‘chose. what. irr everent. ob-. stage: ‘These scenes, “story based on. the Ben _. Jonson | classic, “Volpone,”” rare invariably |. a pickup. But: interest wanes when |. Jibrettists Ian McLellan’ Hunter and. Ring Lardner Jr.. return to the’ secondary | plot ‘about saying the! auctioned bride fromthe -cr usty,, “greedy prospector-groom.. is ‘The Johnny. Mercer. lyriés and Robert Emmett : Dolan'’s ‘tunes. are ‘lively and listenable’ interms of: character and. situation,and. offer | comedy: ‘help, although the: ballads’ tend: to ‘be ‘stage waits: As an .off= hand fuess, the standouts: ‘may be: “Ways: to Skin: ‘a‘ Cat,” “Many. “Money. Isn't Everything, ” “Bon | Vivant”. (at, least-.as done by Lahr), : _and “It's. Easy: When. You : ‘Know o‘How. ” Jack Cole’ Ss choréography, Robert Randolph’s' ‘seenery. ‘and Robert |. ..Fletcher's costumes make’ effective ‘use of the 1890s Yukon atmospher e.. and color.. Larry. Blyden is: excel-} lent -as..Foxy’s likable partner. who: out-fleeces the -latter’s three ou, blecr ossing pals, ‘and ‘there are en gaging performances by. Cathryn} Damon as: an: -acquisitive’.saloon proprietress who's: not. averse : to. | larceny, Julienne. Marie as.”.the auction’ bride;. and Gerald. Hiken; Robert -H. © Harris... and ‘Edward Greenhalgh » as the. eovetous:-sourdoughs who get taken: In short, “Foxy” boils ‘down to a lot ‘of Bert Lahr,which ‘is’ a {: howl,’ but there's: ‘not very much else. , Hobe: ~ { Barrymore Theatre, N Cooper, ‘injected almost} like burlesque. ‘skits ‘to decorate ‘the: ‘ing, .Will _Steven . Armstrong;: ‘costumes; “Domingo A.. ‘Rodriguez;: original ‘music, “David: Amram;. ‘associate ‘director,. John Allen; makeup. ‘supervision, ‘Richard Corson; ‘production © associate; -Kip.Cohen, | Sas Peter Falk,Luther Adler; features: Alvin Epstein, Elizabeth Hubbard,. ‘Betty: ‘Walker,. Jon... .Silo,.’ Ramon. ‘Bieri, .. Milf. r Kamen. Opened. Feb. Ly "64, at the ‘Ethel nights; .$7.50 Friday: Saturday. nights.. t Soloist .. 22.2 6.2 oe tee oe yee Carol . Wilder. I Constable. Kentinov oe ecees Alvin’ Epstein +} ' Stalin 01.000. pecece Bebe veces: ‘Peter Falk MUranov 0... oc ee ee cee ede eee Gene Gross’ Kamenev. me ebeeererser tenes . Milt Kamen.| : Alvin Epstein lexander ‘Lomov .. Alexander” Jon :Silo. ‘General ‘Kornilov | at sae ae ee ‘Sailors: ‘Orjonikidze -. wee b sb a eu'ee . Nicholas. Seundérs . “Dinoviev. . 2.6. eve ele. "Michael ; .Enserro Sverdlov --. i weet ee este tee: Gen? Gross: ‘Trotsky. .. wan cavebeees | Alvin: Epstein: Soldiers,.: "Exiles, " :Woikers. Peasants, Delegates, Citizens: Sean Allen, Robert . Berdéen, Frank: Bouley... John. Carver, | John : A. Goe, Carole. Crook, Michael Enserro, Janet” Frank,: ‘Richard | Frisch, Bruce Kimes. Simm. Landres, Penelope Laughton, : Royce. Lenelle,Michael Me: Guire,: ‘Sylvia. O’Brien, Anthony Palmer, Gedda..Petry,. Richard. -Robbins.Nicholas Saunders, -_Peggy Steffans, Elaine Sutka, Paddy. Chayatsky 1 has. tiever. been, : satisfied. to-stand. still: or. be typed.. ‘In his latest play,.. “The Passion ot. ‘Josef D,” which” opened: last week ‘atthe’. Ethel ‘Barrymore’ ‘Theatre, ject; ‘but has: used a free ‘dramatic, himself. sonal ‘development: of .Josef. Stalin, turns out to. be. of minor ‘dramatic interest, the theatrical: form: ‘tends first: attempt | at: direction is. unim ‘hut it’s likely to be-too ‘esoteri ic for ‘viously. a: heavy production’ with. an ‘expensive operating nut,its: a ‘ing: or even stock prospect. a logical, Step for -Chayefsky.: AS--a. first: stage play, “The: ‘Middle. of: the. Night;’": he. was” regarded . asthe Bosivellof the little: guy... “The. Tenth. Man,” ” servers ° called. the’ ‘biggest : -charac ‘ter’ of. them: ‘all as‘ ‘the. subject for his. last effort, “Gideon: aa ° AS. his’ themes have grow fl, “sot have his. efforts to. expand his.tech ‘nique ‘and the limits -of the dia-. ‘matic forrs. In, this new. play: about |: ‘the rise, consolidation. and . inevit-. {ably. thé corruption ‘of the. Soviet. idpal and. .the‘disillusionment. of | : the Russian dictatorship; the au: thor’ writes in a style that combines: formal “drama, documentary. and. iitermittent vaudeville,. With touches of Brechtiarism, ‘and in erty-obsessed, visionary: priesthood. .to. “practical politician, and finally |. ruthless. dietator tends to. be a repe-} ‘villainous. leader of history. In ‘the ‘written, undisciplined. ‘and, worse; ‘studied cand ‘uninteresting: “AS. director,. the | author“has evi-|.-dently concentrated: on: ‘the “words} ‘rather than: the action ofthe’ play: | Se. -While. ‘the “text “is -génerally |. spoken. audibly; the theatriéal: em-'phasis ‘tends. to be ‘minimized, and |. several -of the individual: perform| :ances are. ‘uncontrolled.’ ‘The large |. includi dng 't two : turntable Stages. and ‘Sev and elaborate’ production,.: .. ¥.: $6.90 top week| John Carver, Frank Bouley |° -CarolWilder, Mervyn. Williams, Stiffora | : Wing. . Oe oe =} * ta€ion-. -of drama: -‘scenesy),. Harold . Stone: _Rabert: 'O’Hearn; ‘costumes Domingo A. | ‘ing, he’s. not. only taken: ‘a major gub| form and has even staged thes SI 10 7 |-Friday-Saturday “Rights. , . All well and ‘good. Or. ‘more® accurately. not ‘so good: For ‘the. mac. |jor subject; the political: and -per|: : Brock : Holliday ° ‘tobe disorganized and. the author’ S|. John. Perry... the. general ‘public and,. as it’s: ob| ‘questionable © bet. for“ a profitable} ” { run. It’s also-.remote’as.a ‘film, tourLahr was: given a free hand to ré: . In: a -way;: “Josef :D”: repr -esents: television . ‘scripter ’ and .with :His] He. took a. larger. themie, a: Freudian’ ‘treat‘ment. of Jewish’ folk: legend:. with]: moods. that vary from_ sainberness: to farce, ‘The. ‘effect:is. unsatisfying: But while the-.details ‘may he ‘new to non-historians, the. progres: . sive changes. Of: Stalin ‘from: -pav ‘student’ to. intellectual. radical to} -dedicated’ evolutionary: “terrorist, ! . tition’ of the -story. of. almost “any } case of. “Josef: ‘D,”. -it seems. -over-| what’s|.. hat's _ Charlie; because of an apparent’ ‘speech’ de-. feet. ‘(unless © it’s ‘an intentional: bit: | 08 eharactérization, he’ swallows ‘the .sound:.of. the:letter’ “L”),. ‘put also. because’ of his -rough: tonal. quality: and’ the monotonous mood of ‘the. coldly implaeable. despot.: ‘Luther’ “Adler . ‘gives a: skillfully tion: of Lenin,’ the. artist of revolu tion. whobecame. a: : political philos|: opher,an ‘unwilling: national: saint and, as represented by,. the. author, ; am engaging individual. ‘There ‘is “a ‘hoked-up' performance. -by “Alvin: ‘Epstein as a:revolutionary. mounte-. bank ‘named: ‘Trotsky, and at: least. ‘two other minor: ‘figures; and ‘artful portrayals. by . Elizabeth ~Hubbard/|. as -Stalin’s . pathetic’ -second . wife; . Betty Walker. ‘as Lenin’s wife and a number of. others: in: colorful: bit roles, signed the° complicated. settings, Domingo AL Rodriguez has /Pro-. vided the: wide assortment” of COs-. | tumes: andDavid Amram -has com‘posed the. ‘incidental music. ‘which. is supposed to. :improve the play. Arthur Cantor, -E.: E. Fogelson and: Mark Lawrence’ are ‘the’ producers | : ‘of the show; which’: imposes. the |-ultimate’ historical: punishment: ‘of. “making. Stalin. a ‘bore... Hobe-: a Abraham. (Cochrane ‘Walter Fried’ & Helen. Jacobson presenin’ three’.acts (four. -by* JohnSherry.: ‘Staged by. scenery. and lighting, Rodriguez. Stars. Bill. -Fravers, Ann Hard-. ‘Nancy | Wickwirey ‘features Peter. Adams, John’ Griggs, Franklin~ ‘Cover,: Olympia . Dukakis; Richard © Nicholls, Jerome ‘Collamore; ‘Audrey. Ward. Opened ‘Feb. -17, °64:;. $6.90. tan’ weeknights, $7.50" AHC@: 2. ce eee ee Audrey. ‘Ward ‘Dr... ‘Thomas: Barteft. . ‘Richard: Nicholls Myra Holliday. : ....0......0 05: . Ann :-Harding Samuel Holliday. TEES Syne i i John. Griggs Helen. Balcon’ .. 0... ... "Naney “Wickwire. Roger. Balcon ~ ... : Peter Adams ‘Abraham. Cochrane. : Bill Travers. ele v os es “Franklin ‘Cover. Gregory Lawton” site -derome ‘Collamore Anne | Dowling : Olympia, Dukakis whee ee bee It's a: ‘matter. “Of ‘record: that a play called : “Abraham: Cochrane” ‘opened. Monday night. @7), at? the Belasco. Theatre. . The. author -is. the‘producers . are Walter. Fried: and: ‘Helen: Jacobson, _and. the: stars: are: Bill Travers, Ann |: Harding: and Nancy. Wickwire: It’s a. -matter -of’. -no: -surprise. that: ‘the opus: is: ‘due: to fold. Saturday: (22)... As:for. ‘the. details, “Abraham Cochrane” _is..about’ one”. of. those ‘catalyst. . iridividualists—so dear to -the -fancies. of young authors—who. makes: a-draniaticentrance: into a’ situation”. and -..changes ” everyone’s: lives; ..It's. almost ‘ invariably:. the. big thirdact revelation that | the: visitor’s own:life: is’ changed, ‘too. for thie. ‘better, nateh. » ‘In°this:: case; the. Jocaleis. ‘the , luxurious: suburban home of-a wartime. buddy, who. turns out .to be.a hypocrite,’ “Qa. coward and ‘a: bit of. a: heel: ‘The, -entrant: destroys’ the | “buddy’s Hollow-shelk ‘Marriage and,. at’. the: final. curtain, decides to marry the. ‘wife, who by-: this: time is ° an. _expectaitt.. mother:. There’ Ss: a ‘great. ‘deal. of.. pseudo-sententious. palaver-. and,. at. least opening night, . there: was" a Creeping” torpor. out J: fronf. * A biographical note in: ‘the ‘back. ‘of. the Playbill reports that Perry, the’ author, ‘has -also -:writen . two. novels. and ‘has recently completed: ‘two: more :plays; that he’s a’ native -of St.. Louis, worked in ad agencies, | -is on the éditorial: staffof the Book. of: -theMonth. Club and.is.a mem-. ‘per’-of the New. Dramatists. Com-: mittee. The latter is: an organization.’ dedicated’‘to' improving. the. skill of. young, playwrights. ot / Hobe... ‘Scheduled. Bway E Preems | ' Mateo,. “ANTA-Wash. “Sq.. (2-20-64). Renaud-Barrault,: Center | (2-25-64). Children Shadows, Little (2-26-64). ; _ Deputy, Atkinson (2-26-64. — | What..-Makes Sammy, 54th Stf.. 227-64). ‘Each Had Six: Wings, ‘Little (3-11-64)..: AANTA-Wash.” Sq. © (3-12-64) © ’. Funny Girl, Winter. Garden (3-14-64). . Murderer Among .Us, ‘Morosco. (3-24-60). '* Pretzel Factory, O’Neill (3-25-64), .. ’ Anyone. Whistle; : Majestic: 43-26-64). . “Baby Want-a Kiss, Little (3-28-64): -. 2 High Spirits, Alvin: (3-31-64). , West Side: Story, Center. (4-864). ‘Hamlet, .Lunt-Fontanne ‘. (4-13-64). World War 2, Booth . ne. ‘Cafe « .Crown;’ Beck (4-20-64), _.. _ Porgy and ‘Bess,. Center (5-68-64). ' Royal ‘Shakespeare State’ (6-18-64), : idol. of Millions, Hellinger.. (5-26-64). _. My Fair. Lady, . Center. (5-27-69), King and t, State (7-68-64). .-"" ‘Merry® Widows, “State: B-1T6D, . Peter ‘Falk, -in® the ‘title ‘rote, is) : ‘physically believable . and-even et-. fective, but vocally faulty, | not ‘only. : Varied and: expressive: ‘characteriza: | Sir :Charles Pemberton’ te ‘Lady. Pemberton Mrs. Alea. Berwick. . Will. ‘Steven. ‘Armstrong: has” “de fortable. : act comedy by. a" Irene.’ .:. 1. | Mrs: ‘Beavis eral. levels of action; gives ‘mobility ’ ao '.f|.to.. the “scenery: rather than the|} | drama, . andthe. -key:, story. of: thel} . zealot who :became a monstrous vil|. | Tain ‘is . obscured. by: ‘the army ‘of =" | characters: and. ‘actors: #... 0+. |The ‘Passion OF ‘Joset ‘D.|: ' Arthur Cantor; ©. E. Fogelson-. -& Mark |. ‘Lawrenée: presentation ‘of drama in‘ three’ acts (11“scenes), -by :Paddy. Chayefsky.. ‘Staged: by .the author: scenery: and .light-" “The Fourth ot Sh une. ‘David “Hall (in ‘association with: Donald.’ :Albery) comedy-drama | -based on -his novel: “Public: School Life at Eton.” Staged’ by Donald: MceWhinnie; ‘decor, -Hutchinson Scott;. lighting, Joe presentation -of a three-act Davis. ‘Features .David.-Markham, “Margot Malcolm’ -. Gerard; Sean Barrett,. Simon Ward, Jean Harvey... Martin’ S. -Boyd;.. Ronald... Lacey; Opened ‘Jan: .30,. 64, at the. St. Theatre, London; $2. AS top. " ‘Headmaster: (1.:%...30-.-.-, Hamilton “Dyce ‘Manningham wb ghee sawn’ ; David. Markham School .Dame....: one wee i eeeee _..Margot. Boyd. -MrsMolarkey oveevecescas. Susan Field | ‘Bishop: .. er <0! eneoeses Anthony Roye Pemberton Se qe eee eee oe ..Tan) Ricketts Morgan. ......: we, eee roe eee. " Seart Barrett ‘Searfe 2:30... ves pose oeserrs “Ronald Lacey} ‘Ravenscourt’ wesc eneneesaces .Colin Spaull ‘Phillips . vee eee ce Coe ° ° ess ars Simon Ward Berwick. ....va..5000.68--.Richard Kay Defries: “. ae pa ncwesee ‘¢.-.Malcolm*-Gerard ‘Jill nde eacteceecaedet .Kika’ Markham -Bigby eee gdeeeezees wees Martin: Norton Schuster. we edpecevseceess Paul Holdaway Gavin 2, cece cee seecde ves esi... Kit Williams Pearl . x... 2-00 mele" ee pece ad ohn Chipperfield Macready: :..”.. weeseeee ss Julian ‘Holdaway School Doctor vente s on . George ‘Waring Mrs. Scarfe’... 022.0080 Mr. Scarfe sents e sees his... ‘Successful . novel,: is: -an.. accurate of the: time he: seems”. to: be: ap -plauding ‘the. system; for: the rest is. . guardedlyeondemning. the ap-. parent: “hothouse... -of.. snobbery, | homosexuality, ‘sadism and. ‘rigid . precepts. . The. story involves va: misfit | grammar schoolboy who-is: pester ‘into: half-paralysis . by Senior .pre fects, ‘with the: tacit permission ™ of | ‘the school ‘authorities. Then: arises |. the problem: of whether. the cul| ‘prits should be expelled, : a. ques| tion .complicated by: the. influence} of their prominent -. parents. “The | audience “is. expected ‘to. believe | that the incident will make. better 1. men of the. pupils: . ~ Donald: McWhinnie has. done. a workmanlike Staging: ‘job, but. has. 7 not provided much: ‘depth. in’ the |. characters.. | play’s episodic framework. ‘He is not, aided’ by the. ‘merely: compe|. tert acting. David Markham: -as | the housemaster,. . 'a. humorless, self. conscious stooge and is sadly miscast: — __ Among thie sertior scholars. ‘Sean. Barrett, “as. a -pseudo-intellectual,:} ‘has ‘some of. the. . best -opportunities,. but neither Ronald: ‘Lacey. as}. ‘the misfit student nor-Simon. Ward |° largely “due tothe is portrayed © as as the friend whose. loyalty: breaks down: under the’system: seems. com-.| ‘Malcolm -:Gerard “swag-.|. ‘pers effectively «through ‘the’ role-| of ‘the ‘sadistic housemaster.. with |} latent. homosexual. ‘tastes... | an i Among: the femme players, ‘Mar| got Boyd has some sound:moments | | as the.dame of ‘the school, and Jean |: -Harvey: ‘brings laté,..much needed’ zest to the bit part of a -mother | -who. is: clearly: prepared. -to use the: bedroom, to. save ‘her. worth| Iess .son: from -expulsion. -The ~ title of. the* play, ‘ineiden: } tally, hinges on the school’s annual | prizegiving. .ceremony.. Hutchinson Scott has provided ‘one’ of ‘the -con4 .: temporary style: open: sets: in which it’s often -less. important Why.: a. character. ds— moving — from . one. locale .-to ‘another “so” much” ‘aS:fo whether he'll: make it. Rich. ~The Poker: Session Donald” _Albery’ presentation’ of -a three-"|: _ Hugh Leonard. ‘Staged by }:~ Jim Fitzgerald: “decor,: William . McCrow...}.. -Stars’'“Marius Goring.: Norman ‘Rodway; | | features Joe Lynch, Maureen Toal, Peggy. | “Marshall, Pauline ‘Delaney... Opened Feb. |: | 11, °64, at\-the Globe. Theatre, London; °$3:50. top... . Billy Beavis sae e esas eee “Norman Rodway. Kevin 2.00. eis eee eee eeeecs-': Joe Lynch ‘| eran ewe o neevecevewsevece “Mauteén—Toal cveenoce woes *. » eaey. Marshall Teddy. yee eee oe eee Marius. Goring | How. funny. is. Tunacy?. On: this | | & {point may -hinge the. fate -of “The |: '~| Poker Session,”..an absorbing: Trish | 10-64. . ‘| play. that: pleased audiences at the: “| Dublin Theatre: Festival. Of. 1963.1 ‘by David ---Benedictus, |.able, Fo regard poker. © -.Susan Field tale ebetetesee? George: Waring j. .,Anthony Roye . ‘Joan Geary. :. Jean. Harvey — +a sound, The: wotds’ Old Etonian are Thys-: ‘tical in Britain. ‘Scholars from: this: ‘famous: public (that. is, . private). | “School: have held top: places: ‘in’ gov-ernment, the professions, the arts and the .clergy, ‘and the Eton ‘tie’ } has become a ‘snobbish symbol-and: a byword: ‘of the lariguage,:--David-} ; Benedictus, himself an. Eton -prod-. uct, has. written aplay. based.” on ° “Public ‘School Life .atEton.” It purports, -{ to_ be. an expose » of. thé ‘school. ‘Only ‘someone’ familiar. with. the. Subject: could ‘tell: -whether "The ‘Fourth. of. June”. picture of -what:: appears to: be. at top-brass. jungle: But.anyone .can’ ‘see that the ‘play is. a trumpery stage piece, bristling” ‘with. cliches: and. ‘naive philosophy and-~ situations. The author writes smoothly, : ‘for glib’ laughs, but remains on. the fence about the. subject. -Part down. saeeseeseceoesePauling Delany | | Now it tackles: ‘the ‘West End with.” 1a the same cast:: e . Although. Hugh . ‘Leonard deals”. with ‘serious ‘ideas, -they* are fre-: quently’. cloaked. with -‘therich, zestful, Irish’ blarney which, prop-.. erly: projected, is irresistible. .So some..of the. -author’s uncomfort| ‘are smothered. by. the: lively | patter. eee “The ; -Poker . ‘Session”?.: .: ‘mainly. as. a ‘joke does little “jus° we | tice..to ‘an“essentially. challenging, : .. ‘unorthodox : theories — theme. ‘The. play's: ‘setting. is*a™ * gotial stakes: -played’ ina Dublin’ suburban: home ‘to mark’: the. réturn -of. a. patient. after a year in. a mental “home.. The evening ‘develops. into a probe of responsibility: for: the. hero’s. state -and --thedistinction between.” sanity” and. insanity: — en . “The-‘author's ‘dialog is’ discon: ; certingly’ uneven -in-.mood, but °° ‘builds into a worthwhile: play with... if .ebvious climax. Jim... : ...Fitzgerald ‘has. staged. theShow... in. straightforward, deft manner. °* Norman. Rodway’ gives.a subtle: performance: as the discharged’ patient, portraying rare cunning. and occasional -pathos;:. and -accenting ‘the. question ‘of. ‘the. ‘mental condi_ tion. ‘Marius. Goring: ‘also..gives.a..-. bravura. performance, as: the ‘hero's: | former | fellow “patient. “He plays °--. ‘like .one_ of ‘Dickens’: moré ‘eccen:~. tric characters, : ‘and: the ‘persistent — ‘real-gone. hip. talk used’: by this ‘middleaged: caricature * gets ‘ready: laughs, though. theone-note : be “party for. “small. comes monotonous. . Joe ‘Lynch. is. -bluff.. as “an” “ins sensitive brother.on .the look out: ‘for..a ready. buck: “Maureen Toal.‘is. intermittently amusing ‘asa vul-. gar. sister-in-law. Peggy. Marshall. -finds” the. role of the. mother: heavy... -poing’ and Pauline Delany’ creates: both symipathy | and: ‘suspicion ..as the handsome girl ‘tacitly “accused :by the family of. jilting the. son. cand | unhinging his: brain. . i ‘ready: jaughter. ‘created’ by ‘the writing ‘and’ matk .--" “The “Poker: Session”: as: a... passable. comedy about: the cori Discount “the sequences: of betrayal.” __ Rich. Off Broadway Sh Shows: (Figures. denote ‘opening dates). Amorous Flea, E. “28th: ‘St: (@ 17-64. * Blacks, St. Marks’ (5-4-61). Boys Syracuse, Theatre. 4 (4-15: 63): . Cabin in. Sky, “Mews: (1-21-64). © Caretaker, | ‘Players (1-20-64). .. Fantasticks, Sullivan.St. (5-360). at House of Négro, East End (1-14-64).: Ammoralist, . Bouwerie ‘Lane (11-7-63). .Jo,. Orpheum: (2-12-6 Play-Lover, Cherry ‘Lane : (1-464), . Pinter © Plays, Pocket (11-26-62).: 4 Six Characters, ‘pMartinique (3-863).” -/.Streets.of N. Y., Majdman. “(10-29-63);. ’ Telemachus Claywt prs (11-15-§2). : Trojan Woman,. Circle im. Sq. (12-23-63). ‘Trumpets ‘Lord. 1 Sher. Sq. 2:21-63).., CLOSED . Brig, Midway (12-19-63); ‘closed. last Sun-. nee day (16)..after 68 performances. ‘Lovely | ‘Light,’ Mayfair. (1-2064): ‘Riverside: Drive, de Lys (2-4-64);. closed last “Sunday” (16) after 15 performances. Theatre of Peretz, Gate (11-5-63); closed last” ‘Sunday | (16) after -102 performances. . we ‘SCHEDULED. OPENINGS. Betty-Sponge, East End. (2-24-64). Repertory,. Phoenix -(2-25-64). -Blood Knot, Cricket (3-264... = Dynamite. Tonight,:. York . (3-5-64).-” Lone Salad Mad Cafe, Wash. ‘sj. -(3-10-64.. LONDON SHOWS ( Figures. denote opening dates) ‘At Nrop..Hat, Haymarket: (10-2-63)... Bacchae, Mermaid :(2-5-6). Beyond. Fringe, Fortune. S-10-60 . Boeing-Boeing, : Apollo (2-20-63). Difference of Opinién, Garrick: Gi-21's3), D‘Oyly Carte, Savoy (12-16-63). Diplomats; Westminster eae . Father, Queen’s (1-14-64). a _’ Fourth. of. June, ‘St. ‘Martin’s. (30-64): ° a . . : “Funny Thing Happened, Strand SOS BR ma ' Half a Sixpence; Cambridge. (3-2163). . Hedda. Gabler, New: Arts. (2-12-64). Phoenix. (1-9-64).Mousetrap,. Ambassador * (11-25-52). ': Never. Too. Cate, Prince Wales Se: ° ~ Nights .of ‘Comedy, Comedy (1:29-64). No Strings, Her Maijesty’s (12-30-63). ° . Oh, What-Lovely, Wyndham’s. G-19-632., Oliver,. New (6-30-60). ‘One for the Pot, Whitehall @-2-6D. ” Pickwick, Saville. (7-4-63).. Poker Session, Globe. (2'11-64). 7 ‘Poor Bitos,.Duke of ‘York’s. 6-64). Repertory. Aldwych. (12-15-60). -_ Repertory, National Theatre. (10-22-65), Severed. Head,. Criterion (6-27-63). Six Characters, . May Fair. (6-17-63). ‘Six ef One.:-Adelnhi: {9-26-63).! ’ Sound of Music, Palace: (3-18-61). ' Spoon ‘River, Royal. Court (2:13-64). Who's Afraid Woolf, -Piccadilly | EOD... Wings: of the Dove,. Lyric. (12:3-63).; . “ CLOSED ‘Roses’. Are: ‘Real, « -. ". SCHEDULED OPENINGS — Waman Dressing, Vaudeville. (2-19-64). Antonio, Drury Lane (3-2-64). ’ Seaguif,: Queen’s. (3-12-64 , Mexican Fiesta, Drury Lane 63050. ‘In White: America, ggher: Sq." 10“SLED. closed’ last Sunday (16)-.after 32. performances. ts Siummerhorse. T attle: Fox G76, 2 Cindy, Gate. (3-19-69). . _ How: to ‘Succeed, ‘Shaftesbury | (3-28-62). = Man. in-.the:Moon, Palladium (12-23-63). ..” Minstrels, Vic. Palace (5-25-62): -. Monsieur Blaise, Vaudeville . ‘a2zepr: “closed ‘last’. Saturday: (15), after ‘limited -.. engagement, 29 performances. of Kayf up ‘West, Theatre . Royal, : E. a . wd “Royal Comm: Revue, Merinaid Gree. on Sew rater Pena s w t