Variety (April 1964)

only. ‘previous: ‘Broadway appear-. | fiw *b, , — = | Broadva ay though ‘she's: no beauty, . she ‘can apparently. b¢ more. attractive than in this. Fanny: Brice: .characteriza‘tion’ and the .1920’s fashions, and Fanny € Girl Ray Stark presentation: of musical com ‘in two acts (16. numbers), with book | y Tsobel enna from. her own original sior ~ music 7 glory: Merrill.” Production supervisi Jerome Robbins; staging, Garson . Kanin; musical’. staging. Carol. Haney; scenery and lighting, Robert Randolph; costumes, rene Sharaff; musical conductor, Milton Rosenstock: orchestrations, Ralph. Burns::. vocal arrangements,. Buster Davis; dance. ‘orchestrations, Luther Henderson; assocl-. ate producer, . Al Goldin: associate director, Lawrence. Kasha; presented in asso|. ciation’ with. Seven Arts. ‘Prodictions. Stars Barbra Streisand, | Sydney: Chaplin; features . Danny Meehan, Jean : Stapleton, ‘Roger DeKoven.. Joseph Macaulay, . Miller. George. Reeder, Royce, , ‘Wallace.. Kay Medford. Opened Marc "64, at. the Winter Garden. N. Ya 99.60. top. .. ny. Girl” ‘is in the’ book, which. is ling talent who struggles to recog Fanny Brice .......«-Barbra Streisan@/ nition and: :.suocess, finds.” fulfill| oa im Soa weee: Howard. : ‘Emma. sistent we + Robert Wallace | ment “inlove, suffers: heartbreak Mca Brice’ i Bones ns tten Fenny enters and ‘finally -takessolace in laugh-{r akos een ree. _ Mrs. Meeker -...... : tydle S. ‘Fredericks clown-laugh dedication. ‘to her. ca-. . Mrs.. O'Malley. ss 5 song) Sacmulay reer. Isobel . ener 'S: yn " Tom Keeney .....++++-os ‘based on. her own: original. story,. .. Edd LINES? eetee Danny. Meehan . Freckie me ‘2: Dann R: Helou | follows the ‘real-life saga, with. the ‘Workmen robert Howard. Robert Henson Snub Taylor .7... 22... : Buzz. Miller | Frombone: Smitty. . Blair. Hammond jsages, . ith % i 1 Five Finger Finney <.... an E. ‘Weeks | The: songs, w music y ‘Jule rum iat vice eeeee Dick Pe Bove Solo! cae TITTY ghellie Farreil‘Styne ‘and lyries by. Bob Merrill, Folly cirvripissesserts 27g patt Lowe include. several. apparent. clicks, | ‘Nick “Arnstein” eens ‘Sidney Chaplin: “with | satisfactory. . Streisand. rous Sharon -Vaughn, "Diane Lee’ Nielsen. Stage Director”. Ps re ra Mare Jordan’ _Florenz Ziegfeld. Sei ews ; Roger De Koven Two. Showgirls. eae all — ‘six. of them solos: -three. in ‘a tough: success. in. the: secorid act. “Mimsey) ores een reas Sharon’ Vaughn |:Qn ‘the : questionable . basis: of.’ a . Ziegfeld. ‘Tenor. sudeweceve “John. Lankston |. Zivsteld ‘Lead Dancer ..., George Reeder. first. hearing, the: hits: may be Miss. fics N Nadler TEENS “2 Jem Eamon ‘Streisand’s .“I'm the Greatest. ve e‘e'e ‘ ee s ét ” “4 , Paut. wees nicecceceee Larry Fuller | Star,” People.’ ‘Don't Rain. on Cathy — Sesetseeeeaagese ae . o's * oh ean ‘Joan. Cory My. Parade, Who Are You: Now?”: Vera. scsecerneercerss seer Laine Kazan | and: “The Music .That:‘Makes: Me. Be yx at eee fcc Dp D 7 dh the -it . Ben seeecetesss BUZZ. Miller ance,” .and sucn oO er: ems as . ' Mr. Renaldi. hdc weesense ese Mare Jordan Bhowsirls: Prudence. Adams, Joan Cory; | “ET Want-to: Be. Seen with You To -Diane Coupe, Lainie ‘Kazan;. Diana’ Lee. Nielsen; Sharon, Vaughn, ‘: : ‘Rosemarie | ‘Yellen, Bingers: ‘Lydia _'S. Mary. -" Louise. Jeanne’ McLaren, Joyce: O'Neil, ‘Rose Randolf, Stephanie ‘Reynolds, Vic-. tor R. Helou,: Robert. Henson. Robert . Howard, Marc. Jordan, ‘John. -Lankston, Albert. Zitinmierman, Dancers: Edie Cowan,: -Chirlstine. Dalsey, Shellie Farrell,.EllénHalpin, ‘Rosemary Jelincic, Karen.’ Kristin..: Joan Lowe, Jose Ahumada. Bud Fleming, ‘Larry Fuller. . Blair. Hammond, John Nola; Alan Peterson, ‘Alan E. Weeks: Musical. riumbers:. “Ifa: Girl Tsn’t. Pretty, am. “Pm the Greatest Star,” “Cornet Man.” |. “Who .Taught Her: Everything?” “His | by:.Carol Haney;: are energetic ard. : Love Makes Me ‘ Beautiful,”’. ‘I Want _. to Be. Seen with You ‘Tonight,” “Henry. agreeably’ short,: although two ” Street?" “People?” “You :Are Woman: || Ziegfeld-style production. numbers: “are more impressive for size than Yourself a» Man.” °.: Fredericks, None. ‘of. the ‘songs associated vived in the show, even asa background orchestra’. theme. :': The feld “Follies” ‘identified with: ‘her. thereafter. “Don’t Rain on My | Parade,” “Sadie,. Sadie.” “Find Yourself ‘a Man.’’. “RatTat:Tat-Tat.”. “Who Are “You Now?” “The Music: That ‘Makes: Me . Dance,’ ” “Don't Rain on. My Parade.” J ish: scenery -than---had:been: ‘pro etter costuming -than Irene The news ‘About “Funny Gin, ” the new: musical opening “last Thursday niglit (26)‘at the Winter. ‘Garden, is primarily Barbra Strei-. sand. She's: not ‘merely. the femmestar and title player of. this. song and dance ‘saga of the early: career of Fanny. Brice—she’s. a. talented: -performer in’ her. own right..:a}resnonsiblé for the final.-effect. ‘Striking singer, comedienne, per: . Sydney Chaplin,:costatred. ‘as sonalite. ‘and, ‘from: indications, ‘a, the: ‘gambler, boxoftice. name... .. ‘big: love of ‘Miss’ Brice’s™ life; : ‘is Largely dite to her, “Fuiny. Girt” properly ‘suave in :the. romantically-. should have’ a sizable Broadway | drawn’ part, and” not’, only: gets run, although. because of its. re-| through: several ‘songs: without. visportedly high. production cost and ‘ible damage, and..as’ he’s. done \.in heavy: operating. hookup,: ‘it's: .a questionable venture to pay. off or, ‘at-least, make: -much: profit, It also ‘appears an: uncertain . ‘bet for the. road or. eventual: ‘stock. . Miss Streisand’s personal. click: ‘4s hardly a surprise.: Although. her rector and Jerome Robbins as..production: supervisor, ‘but -since the | ‘latter .took--over:: the: assignment: ‘ing -lady: appear. at ‘her. best: supporting players, Kay. Medford |-isdiverting: as Fanny's wrily..ob -dancer.and loyal friend, Jean Sta“pleton”. is amusing. as. a> gabby ance was a couple of seasons ago. P B |} neighbor, . ‘Roger -DeKoven -{n a’ small .featured:-role ‘in’ the: ‘musical, “I Can ‘Get -.Itfor. You | . Wholesale.” * she has: been:.a rocketing. name in’ show: business through. ‘her bestseller’ ‘recordings — and: cabaret ad television. -engage-ments e’s' generally given much | , of the credit for. the heavy. theatre | —9he aL know. the reason why: party. and. mail’.order..advance for | .: . “Bunny Girl.” -plus: the fast that | ~: Never Live ‘Over A “Interest .in. the _musical. Survived |: PretzelFaetory | “its unprecedented series. OF premi“Paul Vroom, Buff Cobb. & Albert. Maire ere postponements. .. -As it. turns out,. ‘Miss’ Streisand is all that: the preliminary: buildup: -fridicated. She’s:an. impressive, versatile talent who: clearly has a big. future on Broadway ‘and, in -the’ right parts, could also bea bet for: ‘pictures — :when. the-cycle turns and the: ’sereen {fs ‘again: Teady: to. producer. <four. scenes), by Jerry: Devine. ‘by’ Albert. “Marre: | Howard Bay: costumes, Frank ‘Thomp‘nis O'Keefe, ‘Nancy: ‘Franklin; Lawrence. ‘Gino. Conforti, . ‘Mare | -Marno,. Panama ‘Francis . Quartet, . Alan .: ‘North,. Lorna ‘Thayer, Robert: Getz, ‘Sidney -Armus;,: Paul Huber. . Opened. March 28, °64, .at the Eugene’ “or Neill Theatre, N: Y.: $6:90..top do. musicals. [Rick (oisseretcrssrcsir es Gee enone: The star can, ‘of. course, . “pelt [Sam Dacae “Lairence. ‘Pressman across a sonz with: a.crescendo’ of.) Wimona. 2s: +++ = 2 Nas rankiin power,. dance’ ‘enough to. get by, | Musicians ae Panama Francis Quartet: play comedy’ with: askillful. offRobert Millers. vpausse. Robert Jepson hand d even hit a. re-|.Cheryt) ::5.:. . and manner: an igrian a. ‘Cheryl. Suh gece ee ae Saunders'|" wards 2000002200200! a ae 6) er 4 .T strained note. ‘0 poignance.. Expe| Rawar gs oe se robert: Get rience ‘will bring. improvement. in. Irispector-: ::-+sssscces . Alan North 4: her enunciation, -which’ isn’t. -in| Mr. Callahan. .....5..5.0..i: Paul “Huber variably clear. on ‘song. lyrics, and Myrna enone! ae naa ‘Gloria “Bleezarde. In such’ things” as. variation and | Rhonda. 2 ....0.25.26.: Sally Ackerman change: of : pace. : ‘the: nuances . of | Carlotta: Charlene: Ryan. ‘Attendants: ‘Robert Jepson, Kitty Hiegs underplaving “and :greater ‘quality | -Aunt Martha: of relaxation and repose. Getting: the right parts: may be acopbetovuenseoes To label’; ae “farce: arousing: is to a nrohlem. for: Miss Streisand isn’t | douse: it with: icewater: If.a“farce | ™ the obvious romantic: type. But al‘isn’t. hysterically funny. ‘its: apt. ter | urday: aight’s she -has the kind of: looks and}. personal’ “style that grow:.on an “audience. The confidence and au-: thority that come. with: ‘experience | will naturally . help: in that regard. ‘The built-in limitation of “Run‘tied: to: ‘some’ extent to the facts |: of Fanny‘ Brice’s: life. The. ‘flash-.|’ Buzz |‘back story. is the’ standard back-: ‘Stage treatment: of. the ugly duck:. Tequisite, comedy. and tremolo pas. -ers, The star has 12. numbers ‘in | with. Fanny Brice’s career’ is“ re-. ‘omission ‘ts. especially: notable. ‘in. -the:case of. “My Man,’” which the. -Jate comedienne sang: in the Zieg‘o£ --1921: and. was . The “Funny Girl” dances, ‘staged: quality, and ‘could have more Iav-. | vided by Robert Randolph and. Sharaff’s. It’s difficult. to evaluate: the -overall staging .of. the show, “as. ‘Garson: ‘Kanin. fs billed: as -di during the. tryout, presumably. he‘made substantial: changes and-. is. Nicky : ‘Arnstein,, the ‘previous. musicals; amakes: the lead- “Among the. principal: featured |. servant but devoted: mother, ‘Dan: |:ny Meehan. is: likable . as an agile is :.a‘slightly: subdued ‘Ziegfeld ‘and Jo| seph Macaley. a assable: smalltime: Milton. Roseristock conducts’ the’ ‘brassy orchestra on .the apparent. ‘theorv that: the. audience. is. ny utterly: harmaless... | 2.5 Murderer Among Us. | Milan ‘is..generally."believed to” be ‘the first house-to use:this formula: .s6n;. music, Mitch Leigh: . Features . Den-. ‘Pressman, Martin: Sheen, Lanna Saunders, | yee ets $1. 50. Friday-Saturday ‘nights. o nee Dennis O’Keefe t-ee *. < tty Barling | Eugene O'Neill Theatre, is an :amusing © farce.. deal. : “The Ferty. Devine. play”. has’ a quiet. first act, .comes-to life a’ bit]: in. the.second: act® and is fairly: di-| ‘It doesn’t} verting in the: third.. really eatch fire, © however, frivolous ‘yomp.: -The‘yarn; which. ‘is. apparently ‘taken from. incidents in-the author's | ‘Youth as ‘an eager shoestring ‘actor: |~ ‘writer-director-hustler ‘around |. the ]fringes of the theatre in-New. York: |’ involves. three young: fellows who’ occupy: the basement under a: Chi Nnese’.restaurant, are trying to produce an art film: short and are led ‘into a grandiose. financial labyrinth by -an. ecstatically alcoholic: Holly-: “Although the ‘situation |. ‘is humorous,. the characters likable wood. star: . ‘| enough . and -the .lines ‘frequently. -eomic, the. laughs don’t get: rolling. and: audience uproar doesn’t erupt. . “Some. of: the trouble. may | be| basic—for. example,’ although the |: role. of young writer is’ ‘the: one De-. vine ismost. interested: in, the: two‘ | partners share .the center. of atten tion. Moreover, ‘the souse Holly wood ‘fugitive .is: the. most’ colorful. -and. ‘vital. character, but he -has| little . dimension ‘and. there’s. little reason: for an. audience: to care: for | ‘him, In’ ‘short, interest : and. Cone | Jittle man, with his: bonhomie, good nature’ but skeptical self assurance, ta figure of some depth. and. pathetic. if bungling: humanity, while Jess. ors individual, : “50: the ‘effect : ‘is. seat: -night.”. “Henry: Street’” and “Find, tered. On. the. other. hand; the. produe ‘tion doesn’t. make the: ‘most of ‘the. ‘material. Albert ‘Marre’s. direction lacks. ‘invention -and. ‘visual: humor, ‘and some of the lines’. “seem: not effectively ‘pointed: : However, ‘the |. ‘sense’ of pace: and ‘what might be. called. ‘performance, depth: are. ad mirable. “The. playing: is generally skillful'| | enough. ‘Dennis O'Keefe. is ‘plausible and both ‘diverting and engag-: ing-as the. rumpot picture ‘star who sponsibility. ‘Lawrence. ‘Pressman ‘is -credible as. disarming. “as the}: ‘serious young scenarist;. and Gino. Conforti. and © Martin : "Sheen . ‘are. pleasant” ‘as his . ‘enthusiastic part-. ners, although: they: haven’t. enough ‘drive. to provide: the * missing audr| ence. compulsion. ‘There ‘aréebelievable . perform ‘ances by Nancy: Franklin ‘as an-im-. pulsively. romantic girl. addicted to-|. ‘worthy causes; Lanna ‘Saunders as: ‘a hetpfulairline hostess, Sidney Armus..as a: not unduly caricaturedHollywéod" -producer,. Paul Huber as what ‘could ‘perhaps be.an -almost-life portrait. of a famous doc-. umentary: producer with a per=: chant for booze ‘and:.-trollops, and a ‘virtual riot ‘squad: of ‘assorted: char-. acter. Players. of assorted. Ages and. Howaid Bay, has” designed a “sets: ‘ting. that is transformed from: what -Fesembles an’ engine ‘room to “what? the ‘three young heroés are 4villing ‘to’ accept as‘ home, but the .device-. isn’t as. funny’ -as.-it .should: be—. possibly. because of budget: limnitations, AS for. the fitle, it's ‘ain. expres: ci Due Gemelli Veneziani sion ‘the. flim‘ star: has. -picked. up: during his wayward. career’ and, as'| he ‘explains, -it’s just: 4° -trenchant ‘sounding: “phrase’ with. the ‘merit.‘of being meaningless. ,, and, : :therefore Hobe.’ . Jeff Britton: presentation: of comeédy in: three. acts ..(five -: scenes), ..by. Yves Jamiaque,. lighting, Fred David “Hays: costumes, ducers,.M: J. Boyer and Nan Lawrence.” .Féaturés -Tom-: Bosley, Pierre. Olaf, Loring Smith,.George S. Irving.’ Edith King, Jane Lauri Peters, Sev‘Opened March: 25, -°64, ‘at ‘Hoffman; : Dana’ Elcar, ern’ Darden. the Morosco -Theatre, : Marolles. . Pertuiset Ce, eee eee we eset ea sc aad wa ves eee Sed ete! Dana -Elcar. Mme: Maille -...:.. bese geet. Edith King Jerome: ‘Lahutte eaten vecele Pierre Olaf. ‘Birgasse © 2.2... ee eee Severn’ ‘Darden Policemen : NSTEEIEY ‘Michael. ‘Flanagan, J on ‘Richards b een. botched -in’ macabre comedy from ‘the original | 7 (Continued: on ‘page BL). . in . and a ‘doesn’t. ignite. the audience. howls that: mean success-. for. a frankly}; ‘Weber. adapted by’ George ‘ White. . .| Staged. by ‘Sam .Wanamaker; settings and |. | presentation | ‘ef comedy in three i acts aged. Voelpel; music, Paul Reif; associate pro-. setting .and lichting,. de P $6.90: ton: “weeknights, $7. 50 Friday. ‘Saturday. ‘nights.° Mile.. Suisso:. : .50.0..2. 6%. Jane Hoffman Louisette w20..6. 6.68 i :. . “Lauri Peters ‘Mayor :... wines iedevdetaes Loring Smith’ Cabauche 2.2.2.0... cc eee Tom . Bosley” . George. S,. Irving. the i a. dull thud.” But. “Never, ‘Live elt — | Over a Pretzel’ Factory,”. last. Sat-. ; (28) ‘opening at the It offers little.“ for | | Broadway,. but may.do as: a:-stock | J, | vehicle: and could become :a :laughable’. picture—20th-Fox ' bought: the ‘screen Tights” ‘in. a. pre-production ' Comment Va Le Monde, .Mossieu?: i. Tourne, | .Messien!. : | cow is the World ‘Going, Mister? | lt ds. ‘Turning, Mister!) Paris, March 13.-; Christian Casadesus: comedy. in four. acts by Francois. BilletOuxX. . Staged Jacques : Noel; * 00: es, .. ‘Bi ita. Bayance and Noel: music, Joseph Kosma;. mime and dance supervision, Genevieye Mal. ‘Jess: Hahn,’ ‘ Anne a e|. 1 Se ee Secon, Andre: ‘Weber: larme. .Features: . Opened. March 11, |.’64,: fiber Ambigu, Paris; $3.50 top.. » Jose Ha ecctveee vag eed eee nee sces, alcoholism in “Tehin-Tchin. ” Here |-he” has:-a “Yank and Frenchman thrown. together: during: the “last. ‘War™: and . ‘follows their. . odyssey: | across Europe. to. Texas. The -play | is.uneven, overblown. and ~ -over-.|. written, however, and unlikely ex-+| ‘port item, with home chances. also. questionable. aan The. author . has: ‘tried: ‘for. epic. -theatre :in the’ ‘Brecht manner, but. lacks. sufficient: ‘range, clarity of. ‘aim: and‘poetic: elan; so. this: tends toget. long-winded. and repetitive.. It is also. overlong.. But. there.‘are some ‘strong. scenes ‘and some. fine ; acting by the ill assorted. duo.: “Andre Weber:makes the Frenéh:}’ Hahn is. massive, potent: and -dis= turbing Jas’. the” egotistical ‘Texan | who thinks only of getting “back. ‘home, and drags. the Tittle French: | stabile theatres. man’ along: with ‘him. Adveitures abound as: they: es| ‘cape from concentration canip. hor|: ‘ror, ‘almost ‘get: lynched by. Frée French fighters, work their way to the U:S. with the Yank ‘then killed: by. silent ‘avenging cowboys | as: the } Frenchman; vows, to. stay on in n spite i} ‘specializes ‘in imposing on ‘gullible. of it all. ‘Strangers in.“order to. evade’ re-| | ‘There are. expert ‘sets ‘on “an in clined. stage ‘with fiying ‘backdrops for ‘changes: ..But', ideas are. ham mered at. instead .. of: emerging. clearly | and theatrically Satisfying. . The: leads. are ‘supported by 14: -mimes,, dancers. ‘and: singers who‘fill. in-'as: ‘counterpoint characters. Several songs by Joseph Kosma | chave a good: folkloreic Ting, and = his. background. clefting ‘is also an: asset. Chalk this up asa good try ‘that falls:’ ‘Short -onmost .counts:. ‘But ‘among. the-:-critics, | generally: downbeat, and may: have a’ short run. "Phe. gerieral story‘: “value. ‘could. conceivably befilm, it-has . created | ‘dissension if ‘most: were material. . (The Twins from Venice)... “Genoa. country. ‘The Piccolo : Teatro: of and there are: now seven “successful stabiles in operation: Sifice.. there \ -has:.been.:a lot’ ‘of. ‘talk. in’the US. about. “repertory. theatres”. and. the. import. thereof, . ‘it is ‘useful-to examine. the: stabile. aro setup, the latter: being: an ‘entirely: |: different : approach . to. the ‘same basie problem, :décentralization | off. “production. . Literally “stabile.sim-ply. means communal, : ‘but.’ thesetheatrical groups. should: not... be. “confused ‘with little -theatre: pro-: -ductions in “small: communities: in the U.S: Stabile theatres are. thorougtily Ane “interesting . “story idea has’ ‘pro. and. laok' towards. (hope. for) “A: ‘Murderer: ‘Among ° Us,”" :whiéh : ‘opened last: ‘Wednesday. . night: 425): at. the -Mo-. -rosco © Theatre. . The : show. offers nothing for Broadway or stock, ‘but there might: ‘still be .apicture in. | the-basic’ premise ofthe yarn: | | George . White -has: adapted: ‘the’ runs,. ‘rather than one-week or two week stands. ‘I ‘Due Gemelli Vene=|. produced “by | the “Stabile | . set. in -16th-century’ Scotland: It ~: ‘ziani,”. Theatre| rOF: Genoa is in: its seeond: year and seems likely to ‘continue ‘for ‘quite a: while Jonger,. though. not at its: home ‘base. The’ system. is’ simple. A-: group ‘of’ professionafs form’ a. theatrical. “company and “firid a. town’ and: the|: atre in. which. , to. settle. "They. dig t presentation of by -Billetdoux;. scenery,. Francois: Billetdoux ‘was Tespon-: ‘sible for that~tender tale of. two Tejected spouses -who when’ their respective’ Ausband and wife go off: ‘together; “take-up and. drift into. Saw, ; -. Paris; ‘As: for: the title. it is ‘the usual 4 stock. opening: ‘gambit between clowns. ‘at«.one-ring. circuses ‘here. : “This. mayalso. bring: up thoughts that ‘perhaps. ‘playis also ‘a ‘ecomico‘eireusy. look: at ‘tankind™ in . the: form of:clowns, or another. offshoot: -of: the. theatre: ‘of the: absurd. ‘That. .is one of .the:main faults of..the | play” -in its: mixture of ‘stylization. and ; “reality without. ‘finding -: the’ | truly. theatrical: solution. : Padovani. Italy is hhavinga: ‘Dit. of a Jegit.| ‘boom ‘these days. and a-good part. _|of the’ credit: ‘is: due to the growing ‘| chain of ‘stabile: theatres. in -the|: Glasgow: ‘up a ‘group: of local packers. somes . 2 : ; ‘times individual, ‘sometimes . -MUs-.°-4 | nicipal, ‘sometimes. a. combination.” ‘of the two. . Part of. the déai.i is that’ they have co | their theatre: on a yearly ‘basis and-3 | the actors are fiired on a yearly..:° basis: When: all.the basie“prepara tions ‘have been: made, the: federal management claims that its ‘sub thing. . The: fact. remains that. Genoa ‘ast: | year showed a.profit; of which it.ig ~" “justifiably. proud, although : there... {might not have been a profit. with"4 ‘out government subsidy..:Localities: =: ‘point out. that.the. fact-of having: _ a subsidy is important not only for .. § the. cash in hand: but because. it is... -~-§ ‘a psychological. prod :to. the. popu-. lace. It: makes ‘a forcible difference | ..between these. -houses | and’ fly-by-:.+ | night touring companies:. “I This particular production of: an 4 old Goldoni comedy. surprised the... . local ‘management. by the strength of its:appeal. It ran about: 100 per_. .formances ‘in ‘its first season (which ‘government: matches whatever |. eg money they -have.. Then they sim."°* | _ply: go.ahead and. produce plays. ~:'§ ‘Usually. three or .fourplays are: ~-scheduled :each ‘year,. all‘permitted™ bn |'to run.as long as ‘they'draw. Then, =. .|via’ exchange with others in‘the: Od stabile chain. (Florence, . Trieste, .| Milan, . Bologna, -etc:)’ the. year: ig. completed. ‘This: makes it: possible’... | ‘to -sellsix or eight-play -‘Subserip -j tions, with the. locally ‘produced ~~ works : as the core. In Genoa, the. ‘scription list-is the biggest in Italy a | but. Milan” probably. says. the Same ee is not.not bad. for a town of about’. ~ | 30,000: population and in.a theatre. ‘of about. 1, 000. ‘seats) and: then. hit. the: ‘road via ‘exchange. to. -other eof Everywhere. ‘made good. There .. are ‘about 40° permanent members of the Genoa: stabile and .-’ 16. are’ employed:_in-this ‘show; so: ‘the others -were. put.to| work ‘preJog ‘paring: new productions: ‘and ‘this: «: * troupe’ was: kept moving’: ‘around, =. .After visiting’ the. stabile towns, °.% | they. went: to. other. Italian . cities. _ Now they. are off ‘to visit. such. . ‘European’ capitals as-MoseoW, War"= -] naturally, Is: hoped .for, also, ‘London ‘and so. -on.. Japan. cand. ‘South ‘America © are . ‘booked. for: next: year.“ New: York, So ‘Phe play-is simple, having to do.* ‘their amours,: their business, their ‘lives confused, although allegedly a. they: are ‘unaware of. one another’s . ~* j eo. with ‘a-set of male’ twins’ who : get. existence: It is “pretty: much. the «<4 same story’ as “The. -Comedy” -of:Errors,’?: by a ‘certain: British. play‘wright ‘named ‘Shakespeare Or ‘Rodgers : _and:. Hart’s from Plautus,.: obvious: situations, -yet-.-not.:permitting’ his: troupe: to ham. it-up too much. = ‘The sets by: ‘are’ simple, © undistinguished . and unnecessary... | It: is:easy to see why the show ~ .| has been: such’ a big. hit in Italy: -4 ‘It is not so-easy to. know what its ~ fate: will: be ‘outside. Italy. -A. spée ‘tatornot. “knowing ©. ‘Italian may | ‘but... average: audiences. may not bother’ ‘to’. struggle. ‘with the : words. ‘The | °-: management | ‘is ‘trying. to ' decide © whether to use’ screen subtitles or | -simultarieous earphoné translations ©.” | “while fouring: in. pon-Italian’ terria understand | and enjoy” -it,: tory.” Rauf. | Baitle Royal. Glasgow, March: 17: Glasgow ‘Citizens’ Theatre. presentation .of comedy-drama in three acts, by. Bruce. -‘Staged by Iain Cuthbertson, -. — assisted | by Glenn. Williams; decor, Juani. Opened * 64, at ‘the Citizens : ‘Theatre, | E. Baillie... ta Waterson arid .Jay Clements. © March “95c° top. Sir Robert .MacsiccarLae cece ’ Phil McCall Isabel... cee cee ens “yanet: Michael... Pees . _.Hannah “Gordon ~ Mary ...e.a.e. oes ee. coe + ROS ‘Drinkwater Wily owhiltvée wee De eee sees Walter. Carr. Sir,. Ebenezer © Fletcher. . James . Gibson. Jami¢: -Soutar | A: ‘new : play; “Battie Royal”. is “Boys ° ‘from. ‘Syracuse.” : (Actually: the . ‘plot. is.” ‘and. is*. traceable .: | “back: to. the early: Greeks.) -.200" ” It is: well acted,: principally’ ‘by og Alberto: Lionello, “who” ‘plays: the.-° two. ‘principal Toles. ‘Luigi. Squar‘zino has’. directed: it beautifully, : .”. getting. all. the. laughs out. of the: Gianfranco. decorative oo -and.” ‘a pleasure. (from. a: ‘touring :. | ‘standpoint). The. costumes, by the... . | same ‘gent, are: “magnificient.: ‘The’. 24 music: by Giancarlo. Chiaramello is | John, Cairney, ad ‘promises well. at outset, but: falls a ; off badly and is:revived in interest *).ponly:by” a. humorous: psuedo-trial. 7 scene.. “Written by. Bruce’ Foin . Baille, ae an. emigrant, ‘Stot. living inMont-.. | Continued on: page 83)... ’ joe . . Cin ueintre-depagitet 7 . * . . wt . ay PAL y, 7