Variety (April 1964)

62. High Spirits ‘Lester . Osterman, ‘Robert Fletcher gl Richard .Horner: presentation -:of musical comedy in twe acts (12 scenes, : 18 num: bers), with book. music and: lyrics by: Hugh Martin. and Timothy Gray, based on the Noel Coward comedy, “Blithe Spirit. ** Staged. by Noel foward: chore and musical. stuging nov Danle teiss hy ae and costumes, Kobért. Fleicher: ‘Tammy Grimés’. costume, ‘Vailentina; lighting, Jules Fisher:musical conductor, Fred Werner: vocal direction and. ar rangements, Hugh Martin. and Timethy . Gray; orchestrations, Harry Ziramerman; Gance music, . William Goldenberg. Stars: Beatrice Lillie. Tammy. Grimes, Edward Woadward; features Louise Troy, . Carol Arthur, Margaret Hail, Lawrence Keith. Opened April. Te "64, at. the Alvin The atre, N, Y-. ‘Charles. Condomine * Baward ‘Woodward Edith, —~= * ‘.vieasee--Carol Arthur [| Ruth: Condomine. wasedeees Leuise Troy. ‘Mrs. Bradman... ....06.2.. Margaret Hall Dr. Bradman ........: “Lawrence ‘Keith Madame. Arcati. . ene, Beatrice Liltie |. Elvira s taeeeses -;Taramy ‘Grimes Bob . wane cece ea ete “Robert Lenn Beth .. ......-5. : Beth ‘Howland Mumert eee eee ee has Gene. . Singers-dancers:. A Gricane Angel, ‘Syndee SBalabar. Geng Castie, Jerry © Craig, .Javkie Cronin, Altevise Gere. Judith Haskell, Beth -Howland.. Jack Kauflin,. Bill Kennedy. Al Lanti, Miriam Lawrence.. Renee Lee, Robert. Lean, Alex .McKay, Jaqueline Maria, . Stan Mazin. . Jee Mc_ Grath, Dea Peressi, Kathy Preston. Svbil -Seotford.. Tom Thornton, ‘Ronnie ‘Walken, Anne. Wallace. : Masical numbers: “Was: “She. ’ Prettier’ Than I] “* “The Bicycle Song,” . “You'd Better Love Me.” “‘Where Is the Man I Married?” “The Sandwich Man.” “Go Into Your: Trance.” * Where . Is the ‘Man ¥F ‘Married?” (reprise). “Wnrever: ‘and a Day.”. “ ething Tells -Me.” “I Your. Heart; eae Faster Than: Seund.” . “Te 4 Gave Yeu," “Talking te. You.” Home’ Sweet’ Heaven.” “Something %s. Coming to”. Tea,” “The Exorcism.” “What In the Werld Did -You: Want2” ‘Easter. ‘Than Sound” (reprise). ; opened “last -Tuesday. night. (8) ‘at. the Alvin. Theatre, . there ‘are two: smash numbers in succession. The first is by Beatrice Lillie and. the second by Tammy Grimes,and: they turn the new: musical, comedy. into a. hit... As a result, with ‘the “drawing: power of the two femme stars, the song and dance. version *of ‘Noel’ Coward’s old. farce, “Blithe Spirit,” should be good for a hefty Broad way run. It may perhaps also ulti-. mately do as a.stock. vehicle and possibly even have. the: makings of a picture. In general, these” two ‘power-. house numbers typify. “High Spir-. its.’. When Miss ‘Lillie is onstage, for ‘example, “tossing. sanity. and;incidentally, the. book into. the ‘wings, the show is ‘blissful pande quae ~~ , mince, ee eee BLITHE ‘SPIRIT Three-act farce by Neel Cowa: pre: @uced. and staged by ‘Jehn: C. ‘Hsom, with setting designed: by Stewart Chaney. Opened Nov. 5, °41. a atre. ‘N: ¥. ‘moved May: 18,.°42,..to. the Bootk, + played 6ST ‘perfermances..Edith -.......... °. \Jacqueline Clark Ruth. “. on ° we : oes ee see . ‘ae ene. Peggy Wood: Charles. . wacvecscocess. Clifton Webb Dr. .By. adhami_ re roe Philip Tonge Mrs Bradman. Jeasee. . Phyliis Joyce Mrs. Arcati . S, cose Mildred. _Natwick Bivira 2.02.2... 2 eee cee Onera:. Corbett: on stern °, monium. “And when Miss Grimes _gets rewarding. material. .to. work with, there’s alsa’ ample fun out front. Since they get enough’ such’ epportunities, thie show provides. a. I . generally enjoyable . evening: . Miss Lillie plays. Madame. ‘arcati,. the ecstatically -daffy. spiritualist. (she calls herseif a happy medium) who does a ‘sort. of sorcerer's ap prentice act by:. ‘conducting a Se ance that. brings back ‘on the ‘scene | ‘the stuffy novelist’s late: first wife: and thereby causes all the uproar: It’s a goofy character role; but ‘as. those who recall Mildred Natwick's brilliant characterization..in. the. 1941-42 straightplay know, ‘it is essentially a bit: Hugh Martin and: Timothy Gray. € whe not only provided the tunes: and words but also wrote. the’ bookfor this musicalization, have ‘been: unable to enlarge. the function: of | the part in terms of. story, but} “have added one numaber | based on! © Madame Arcati’s. bicycle, © twoothers in her spiritualist headquar-. ters, a kind of occult _Hernando’s Hideaway, and finally one in ‘her. bedroom fer : the. show’ s. triumphal bit of clowning. “The Bieycle Song” is funny, Gf apparently more.or less ‘expected, but the numbers in. her Spiritualist. hangout are the occasion. for rous-. ing Danny Daniels . choreography and Miss Lillie’s: private. brand_of.| contagious. idiocy... ‘She’ performs |the prescribed | nonsense, . adding what appears to be just. about. the entire | repertoire of © herftrade‘marked bits. .Since . parody. Is: ‘the essence. ‘of t the Merosce: The original by zements' the: succe: -Opened April. 8. | which she offers what : seems: ‘to ‘be ‘practicaily © ‘a’ recital « of: her own: inspired brand of :comment,.in this.| _ instance.a spoof of. ‘classical : ‘ballet. ‘that. : stampedes the. atidienice -and just about wraps up “High Spirits” ‘as a show. it’s’ 4 cinch the number will -be expanded as the star'|? “works. on. it during: the” “coming months. Although. “Miss Grimes, as “the impish reincarnation ‘of ‘the -:first wife; has more scope in : ‘terms ‘of: story, the -authorshaven’t created a great deal:.more. for her ‘to do, on.: ‘having her .glide ‘endlessly |; ‘around. the stage, : ‘trailing her. filmy: point. : . She ‘has several passable. ‘jpum hers, two ‘with. third. costar Edward Woodward | as the. smug. husband whose aplomb’ 4s upset by having | ‘two Wives | simultaneously “under : his roof. One song is -with: Louise. “Troy as. the second .wife;. and an other ‘is: her. initial solo. But when: ‘she gets. the “big. number. .in ‘the second act, a name-dropping | pat “Home... Sweet: and ‘there if impact of Miss: ‘Lillie’s. click of a few. min‘utes earlier. ter song . called Heaven,” she: whamis: i band, Woodward: dis a. ‘capable actor ‘stuck as a. straight man opposite. two. femme. comics: He’s an agreeable’ stage: personality,’ : as. the © -harassed though. her’ ‘singing. -voice. has a ‘perceptiblechange .. of... registers. : Carol ‘Arthur ‘is acceptable: as the ‘befuddled maid who’s’.an. unconscious. medium, and ‘Margaret. Hall. | and. Lawrence ‘Keith ‘are. passable |! as the visiting friends’ who aren n’t |: Jand .stiff as. King Claudius. aware of what they can’t: see. ‘Some of the dancing and singing chorus are: nifty loskers, but for. some incomprehensible reason de| signer: -and co-producer Robert Fletcher’ has ‘togged them ‘inUun _ {| becoming’ costumes for all bit one. -Fletcher’s scenery ‘is in= ‘genious: and. : effective, | and Jules. Fisher's lighting is. an: asset. The. Martin-Gray songs are | --more impressively. ‘lyrically than |musically—none of the ‘tunes re-: mains. in’ “memory | after’. the. per| ‘number. formance. tn general, “High Spirits”: is. an umeven show, but .it succeeds by. | giving Beatrice Lillie . enough to:} do forthe first. time in: years, with’ Tammy: ‘Grimes . ‘as. a notable -accomplice. moe . Hobe: ” ° penne ee OF ah Claudius. : ‘ Maimlet . Alexander H: Cohen © ‘Ben: Edwards: .. -Gouistem; “in. : associa Frenman’ “Productions. Features ‘Burton, Hume. Cronyn, ‘Rose, George Voskeovec, Philip ‘John: Cullum. Michael Ebert, Dillon: Evahs, Geoff ‘Gaciand, Barnard : |. Mang Head Dewn, Comedy Q-19-64).: Hedda... st. Martin’ Clement Fowler, Hughes, ‘Linda Marsh. fanne Theatre “Sea0 tep “week: | |: nights, .$9, 80 ‘Friday-Saturday nights... Bernardo «. cee eee ee ee Rebert Burr. Francisco .....5 000.0563 6 58 Michael Ebert . us bee eocevence ae ard. ‘ ; Horatio . e : eo a aeie ‘edees . Robert: . CiaUdius |... ree eck ee ese | Alered ‘Drake |. ‘Voltimaad ': e wee ee oe * ‘Phitee ‘Coolidge. os Cornelius. . ec ceaccce +++.) Hugh. Alexander: Laertes -......eececce0esce.s JOHN Cullum: Potonius |. = Seekenetennn es ‘Hume | Cronyn Hamlet: * ses peesre Richard: Burton Gertrude epee m eee en sete es _Ezleen.. Hetlie Ophelia’ ........... "Linda Marsh Rost: ie one Woice of Sean Gielgud. :0 : Reynald@. .. ieee ees. ion Evans} Rosencrantz err (ES Glement ‘owler'| Re Guildenstern ........ Wilizra Redfield | Player King -.....00.+. “George Ve rec | Player. Prolog’. eee et Jehan Hethe -Playér Quéen .....«. Christor sr Culkin Lucianug .... wseseeee.cc. Geott Garland Fortinbras. . * ne sese eve anes Michael .Gentleman. wee + -.-Richard Sterne FirstGravedigger. ... George Rose . Second. Gravedigger.. = “hea Ade -Priest ee wees. weno woe ‘Barnard Oaric Dillon Evans Enclish ” ‘Ambassador: . Hugh. Alt Others: Alex Gianaint:. Carol Tenel. . Jet" The. Alexander . H.” -Cohen and .Coward, who staged: the: pro{unintelligible: duction,. has ‘simply «fallen “back. shitt, The. -name-studded. "supporting | i ast: is uneven, and the whole: progown.and, ima -the two occasions: ‘when . she ‘does -.a. suspended-by-. wire. flying. act, a la’ Peter: Pan, 4 Sail back and forth without. much. concept ot playing the Shakespeare ; -| masterpiece asa: supposed. rehears-. al, with the.-cast.-in.. working and On 2 sceneryless . ‘stage, . with. ‘only . -This tune . is.’ likely: .' | to. become’ Miss: Grimes’: ‘Personal’ | identification. hereafter. . : ‘About. halfway. through: the sec. ond act of “High. Spirits,” which. | though seemingly lacking in the. sort. of. ‘brittle ‘detachment ideal for farce:. -As it happens, . he has an excellent |. | vaice,.and-‘uses it: well; but. without. ‘the knack -of -selling a song, + Miss’ Troy is competent but cool -second. _ wife,. however, : | the.‘play..: Gabriel. Katzka, [ Hoe ih | Boeing-Boeing. Apollo (2-20-63). “Alfred Drake, | : Catigvla, Phoenix (46-60). Eileen Herlie, Willian 1 “Redfield, George :|' ‘Ceedlidze, ‘Milli. |.Minstrels, Vic. Palace (5.25-62).. 4 Severed: Head, | Six ef One, 1 Subtopians, | New. Arts (4-14-64).. k Y. : Guat yedy ‘oung, |~ .Claude Harz, ‘Gerome > Ragen. Linda: Seff.. : : Formation : Dancers:. New: ‘Aste closed .last. Saturday. (43), after: TanitedTans-. Some of the key questions 1s have. te already been answered. abeut the]. Richard. Burton’ edition of -“Ham presentation, opening last: Thurs-|:-... day: night (9) at the Lunt-Fontanne | the comedienne’s ‘style, however, | Theatre, recouped all. or most’ of: the climax. is. her solo turn, | ‘in its Production cost during its huge lerossirig tryout engagement ‘in i —v Toronto . and Boston, and it ‘has.a|} . { strong advance. sale..‘Audiences.|4 will be expecting. Elizabeth’.Taylor |¥ He netism. ‘ He has. the. familiar ‘Bur ton air. of detachment, aimost : seemling inattention, however, and-occasionally the speaks: so :fast as to. ‘be, . ‘He is dressed in black slacks. and. a: black: knitted open. at™ the: neck. f duction. is’ in -many. respects : oe satisfying. -Perhaps the. ‘trouble is|. basic—in ‘“stager . John Gielgud’s garb, mostly street : ‘clothes, a: few platforms; etc.: ‘This . -may havecaused..what ‘seems ‘tobe .a-| lack of. prevailing ‘point of ‘view, or. approach,. which. is’ more serious. than ‘the: distracting “effect: of. as: ‘sortedand: in seme. instances. ‘in-. corigruous : ‘dress:. -There. “is an ‘fiapressian’ of: lack of. unity ‘about. the whole. show, :as though: Gielgud. had“ sot. provided ‘sufficient direction or .worked: out. aconsistent -style. of : ‘performance. ‘The. tempo. tends: to~ be. slow: in -j Many. scenes, ‘but -occasionally the Asthe rather ‘self-satisfied Jrase readings are rushed so much. they e. incomprehensible:. That is -onlysporadicaily true ‘of . this. ‘production... © -, Hume. ‘Cronyn isa: superb: Polo: |: He is in. street. clothes, in a | prey. beard. and. with falfens: eye-|. ‘giasses around his neck. . He plays: the. ‘nius. . suspended by: a string character ..as a. ‘somewhat. ‘senile fuddy-duddy, a self-assured, pom-, pous, garrulous, . “hopelessly: ‘humor ‘Jess bore;. yet ina curious way. un dable and. not” ‘without. in}. derstandable an | sessive. fading -middleaged ‘actress |. herent dignity... . ‘Alfred Drake is pumlingly stilted He is: dressed in~ street clothes, with what may.be.a sparts jacket ‘and. in Several scenes with a topcoat over | ‘his: shoulders. ‘He.is one: of the} ‘worst offenders-in ‘rushing ‘his lines: to. the point. of unintelligibility, ‘and. somehow: he. doesn’t seem regal: or, until the final scenes, to ‘possess enough: purposefuiness. te ‘be such -a: villain. _Eileen, Herlie. ‘also’ gives ‘the: ‘impression’ of. having not. been ‘suf-‘ficiently: directed and. ‘of. lacking a’ clear approach: to the part and Shewears .a modification. of a hostess. gown, -with. a-.mink coat. held around her. Her. Queen sex. motivation in ‘her Scenes. with ‘George. ‘Rose. ds: ‘colorful, . anus: ing and: well spoken as the Joquacipresentation ‘ot i re| vival of: drama ‘in: two act: ‘acts;: by. William f Shakespeare. Staged. by ‘inti Gielgud: -Bosenthal; costumes, Jane : ‘ Greenweoda; Ereduction. associates, | (Continued on page’ $4) . LONDON: SHOWS. tPigures denote opening: dates)’. Diplomats, ‘Westminster (12-31-63). Funay Thing Happened, Strand (10-3-63). Hal a‘ Sixpence, Cambridge (-21G3). ‘Gabler; St.: s 2-12-86). : How te Succeed. Lovely. War, ‘Wyndham’s (3-19-53): Mexican. Fiesta, Drury -Lane(3-30-64), -Mother’s . Boy, Globe ' (3-19-69. setrap,. 1-25-50). _.No Strings, Her. Majesty” 5 Q230-63). vr. Ww -One fer the Pet, “Whitehall 6261). Plekwiek, ‘Saville (0-463), -: Poor -Bitos,: Duke or “York's. ‘a885.. . ' Relwctant Peer, . -15-60.. , ‘$choolmistress,: Savoy, (48-64)... Seagull, Queén’s (3-12-64) , : ph ' Sound of Music, Palace. 43-18-81)... Wait a. Minim, Fortune (49-64). | Whe's. Afraid: Wool, Piccadilly ani 64), 1: Wings of. Dove; ‘Haymarket. (12-3. 63). [4 CLOSED: feves Opal, vandevitie. 1 64);. closed Apri “4, _ after. s perform ances. | (3-18-60); ‘engagement, 23° perforiniances. fers te Gigve, A ances. . ‘SCHEDULED: OPENINGS : Beyond the. ‘Fringe, ‘May Fair (easen. * Formation Damcers,. Globe (4Amber for Anna, Vaudeville (4BED. She, Loves Me Eyrle 13-50. Ap| ciation’ with . ‘Lewenstein-Delfont Preductions of. a four. Anton “Orieof . the’ ‘basic merits. ‘of -a satisfying. Shakespeare. performance . is. that 7. the meaning ofthe text :is ‘clarified.. ‘impeccable. ‘grandfather and~ George Devine as -the charming. middieaged sdoc-. tor: score heavily in roles which ; ‘sometimes. tend to be_ regarded Peggy: “Ashcroft plays. with rich style and | subtle | comedy: te. make. the :pos ‘Finch; . letters’ torn: Gertrude seems empty and:strident,| and there’ is’ little “suggestion. ‘of: ‘Fletding’s Hall, Prince. Charles (2. 27-63). ibe Shaftesbury (2-38-63)... “Kayt Up West, Royal, East (3-10-64).. |Reund: About Piceaditly + scenes). devised and. ‘staged by Dick. Hur Bygraves; features Yvonhe |’ .| March, Gibson Girls @),. Tiller Girls, An-: -thony Bygraves, Eddie Vitch,:.Alma Miwae chael, . “Barbara French, -: “0.33. Blaiz; "costuanies, Berkeley tan. Stars Max 64). ta of Wales, ‘Theatres ‘London: $3.55 Criterion. (621: 63). pete i (9-26-63). _}is. to: Have .Max Bygraves.‘as star. ‘1 So Which. Bernard ° -Delfont | Stewart. ‘Cruickshank . are present-} -There’s ‘an advance’ of. around: $85, “Mother's: Bey, : Tlcbee 1980; ‘glosed last ‘Saturday. GD, after: 36. ‘perform: “Round: About.” Piccadilly” |} shrewdly designed. : and’. mounted: tourist: tradé.. and. the atiticipated * 4 hordes: of ‘visitors: whe welcome an. | [to attend most performances, and |f © 24 | that will also help business. | . parently nothing: else matters very ee uch. fe : There: ‘Is. the. subject of: quality, | of course, ‘andthe’ quality of this: | revival is. Spotty: . Burton appears. to bein excellent ‘condition—he |} looks slimmer “than | when. he: was: here: last, in: “Camelot”—his ‘voice.}, ‘is: fine. and. he moves well. {has fire, humor,. variation, dimen|. sion,. authority: and ‘¥eal. star ‘mag The ‘Seagull. ' London, March 20. “English Stage Co. presentation {in asso Tennent Proeductiens and ‘act drama by.Chekev,..translated y Ann Jellicoe.-Staged by Tony: ‘Richard‘sqn; decor’ by Jocelyn . sounds Her & music selected by: John: Addison. Fea: ‘tures Vanessa Redgrave, Pegzy. Ashcroft, “Peter Finch, Geerge Devine, Paul Rogers, ‘Dignam,. Peter Me-'|. Ann. Beach, "ik Enery, Philip Locke,’ ‘Rach London; ‘$3: 35 top. “Yakov. 2.05 /....0. 020 08.. “Maleolm: ‘Taylor .Workmeén: Repinald Gillam, Derek Fuke. ‘Semyon, -Medvedenko. . a + ++~Philip: Locke" Masha ole eee ee ees Ann Beach Pyotr. Sorin eeesees ‘Paul. Rogers: ‘Koastantifi Sceglew onece " Peter” McEnery . Nina Zarechnaya ... -” Wanessn Redgrave. Polina Andreyevaa... ..: Rachet Kempason } Yevgeny Dorn .......:....' George Devine Boris ‘Trigorin weecee on --Peter Finch tva a Shamrayev. . cocscccee., Mark . Dignam Sebo eteed be ete see eens Kate _Binchy , “With thie. “Royal ‘Court Theatre ‘undergoing’: renovations, the. Eng-] lish “Stage “Cov has | transferred ‘temporarily to the‘Queen’s -The|. atre for. a.‘season “of limited : én gagements of classics, beginning | * .with Strindberg’s followed: -eurrently . by rh e Sea: “The -Father;” | gull.” | “The . ‘distinguished should } ‘bea. draw, and -London is fortu nate in. a. ‘glittering stage attracI ‘tion. “Tony. ‘loneliness, frustration and: yearn | ing;. are. still to ‘be. relished, the |. play” does not: fully register asa composite. it is a fine. production, but its mood’ is:variable.. While’ the performers contribute lavishly. ‘as: individuals, some of. the scenes appear ‘ta. Jack an: essential team | work.” "Most. of’ the: players, particularly | the more. experienced’. ones, ‘Paul: Rogers: as: the as. mére. stage _ dressing. | ‘and. ‘mother. a shallow. woman, al-. ‘though her use. of -eoquetish : tricks: and: the absence: of a grand manner are out of key. “Vanessa: Redgrave has ‘most: Of. ‘the limelight.-in her scenes with .Miss Ashcroft, atid though she has. ‘a refreshing charm. .as the © girl) awakened to..the glamorous. world.|: of. stage: and ; literature, her best passages “are -at’-the -end.. Peter as ‘the. ‘mysterious man’ of ness: and infatuation,. -does not make’ the error of presenting Tri ‘gorin. as a charming ‘heartbreaker, but is perhaps’a little too. serious | and . fails to}. ‘and. self-effacing, Project. the. man’s. selfishness... The. ‘mother-domiinated: son provides’ Peter .McEnery. with. ‘several ‘chances ef change: of. mood,. and. Lhe | brings ‘them off successfully. Rachel Kemspon, Mark Dignam. and. Philip Locke contribute. ster|. |Jing performances .and: Ann Beach . | is outstanding as the tiny,:-matter| : | of-fact ‘Masha,’ a bundle: of petu|; ‘| Iance,. | neuroticism. Dittovenca ef Opinion, Gatrick 41-21-63) | and near-' » unhappiness . Jocelyn | Herbert's gets: ‘though somewhat artificial outdoors, cap “ture the loneliness ‘and the half|: ‘torment, half-peace of. the. ‘lakeP side; and her interiors. are: -Stolid | Ge and COSY." . Rich. > London, April 6. Bernard’ Delfont & Stewart Cruic revue in two acts. (14 Diana Dickson, @. Cuereegraphy.. Lionel Sutcliffe; decor,: od Kingman. .Opened. Saarch 28: *64, at. spectacular revue, . particularly’. in: a. theatre like the. ‘Prince: of Wales, “Round. About _ Piccadilly, ”: ‘and: ing, ‘is ‘a gilt-edged proposition. 000 to: prove it. Unashamedly.. — unsophisticated, to ‘appeal to the bus and: train. el-Kempson.: Opened March 12. ited at t Queen’ s. Theatre, ‘company. ‘Richardson's staging ‘af “The: Seagull,” is generally admirable, ‘with grace, understanding and information. : Yet, though. the: ‘author’ s. tone: of | melancholy. inner} are. ‘routine,. “between :possessive| | ‘Excess’. ‘five: performing .. dogs. Tes. a ‘sure | vided © decor, respectively. ‘act’ comedy by Frank Marcus. : cyefilling ‘ show loaded with “solid a L-entertainment values.:.As a twice-..nightly “offering it ‘should. fill the | theatre for: months to come. ...: .. Bygraves,. a solid draw, whose _ relaxed style conceals'a ‘wealth: Of 4s sur-". rounded by impressive. talent,. and j the. entire. production: has : ‘been: Skilifully and. lavishly mounted. by . Dick. Hurran. ‘Sumptuous. settings, ~ ‘preparation: and effort, avish | and. spectacular : costumes, plus staging nevelties which make : ‘use of the. two ‘¢ircletevel boxes, a, contribute -towards making this: a sure-fire family. show. . . The star has a large: ehanic of. | the: -playing | time ‘and: fills it, con-.-:. 7 ‘fidently.. -Much:. of. ‘his | material ‘is —. familiar, but. judging ‘from . audi eniee : ‘reaction, that hardly. matters.. He. sings,. ‘darices: ‘is. surreunded by: ‘the rést of. the boffo entertainment. On:‘the vocal stakes -he ‘mainly . relies on his. proven oldies, | such ©. Hands,” .. and =. “Back in the Old. Routine; ” but | the. only.: disappointment: ‘of. the as his parody of “Fings;” “Tulips From. Amsterdam” ° show: caught... was ‘the. reluctance of the audience. to ‘participate... His techage son’ ‘Anthony . has. prom-. ising~ style, ‘but showed’ up better: recently: in-a cabaret engagement. ls Nevertheless, there is evidence .of '. family talent in --his‘performance; _ A ‘novelty. item” features a film. of. Bygraves in. a plane; and ‘as it. Jands. the hostesses turn out to be the. Tiller Dancing. Girls; ‘who. £0 Straight into one of their ‘slick and. ‘immaculatély' drilled:: routines. As | they complete a the’ screen’ rises, ‘the. number: onstage. : “The leading’ femme: is’ Yvonne: eS ‘Marsh: -a good-looker witha sturdy... 0 °° “set of pipes: She-can. belt a.num-: -ber as. ‘Gonfidently: ‘as. she © can. chandle. ‘B. melodious. tune,: and her: vivacity: is a “considerable . help: . The distaff side.is also helped by.. ‘the Gibson Girls (Nicky Allen and... ‘Sara-Mackay), who fit..into several” . | of. the production numbers.:° °°. “There are also three top: “grade: *: specialty. acts. ‘Eddie. Vitch, who... hias-.added’ new. business. to‘ his. dining * out : routine; {| demonstrates: that: ie is one of the | leading ‘comedy mimists. in’ the ---..:business. His. performance’ garners" : a non-stop fiew.of chuckles. “The Gimma: Boys, five: ‘Italian —_ add : a nice ™ ‘touch of .: -knotkabout . comedy... to their ‘which includes -twe | OF acrobats, | three: fancy and unusual stunts. . : Finally, there: are Alma ‘Michael ‘and Barbara. French; with: the wk. Baggage . act, comprising fire comedy bit. -Lionel” Biair rates a “nod for his ae ‘colorful . dance ‘routines, Barbara’ ~:~" “Aitken has: drilled the Tiller Girls ~ to. perfection, and Berkeley Sutcliffe and Tod Kingman have ‘pro-costumes. and * “stunning Myre. The Formation Dancers o ‘London, ‘April +1. . : Michael: ‘Codron ‘presentation ° of . three. Staged ty. Clive: Donner; decor, Saily. Jacobs. Gerald. Flood.. Maggie a Perdita -.,.0s.ccecseescs Joanna ‘Dunham aul pittance Baral Fiead. --Robin. Bailey . “The: ‘Formation Dancers”: 4s ao: ae slight comedy padded and: showing: ‘Signs -of repetitious -strain.. But. it. ...| provides a fair sprinkling ‘of ‘brit-: tle laughs and is at its best when ° it plays tongue-in-cheek. . Frank: Marcus’s" dialog. ‘véers:. ‘from. the” witty: to. the facetious, -is often: designed: purely’ to. shock: but .is. never. -dull.. It. is. adroitly ‘played and stagéd’ and; in. an‘ ia-’ ; timate theatre, might enjoy. a Tea| sonably ; happy Tun... ~an ‘The nearest. hing te: a foolproof oe insurance. policy fer aWest. End. -The. play has ‘much of the flavor of Noel Coward’ s“Private Lives” and Frederick -Lons: (1926-27) in’ that. ‘it. has its four characters.” involved .insex .outside ‘the conventional. marital or heterosexual: (1936-31) dale’s -“Qn Approval” ‘The. principals. in: this minor. emotional warfare ‘are a. conceited: writer en-:: | -{. couraged by his wifé te carry on: ~ \-an affair with the beatnik mistress =. | S| of..his. best friend, who ‘has a‘wife. ~~ and family. on the side: The writ. °° er’s ‘wife hopes that the: affairs..~ will. help him regain’ ‘his ‘male | AContinived, On: ‘page: 65) tells. jokes; | sometimes alone, sometimes with | his son Anthony, and occasionally.” The “result: ‘is. “always; .once again’. Fea. ‘tures Robin Bailey, Maxine Audrey, ‘Jo-:. ‘anna Dunham,. Opened: -. March 18, 64, at. the. New Arts Theatres. $2.10 top. . ae Pl liuee abe eenes “Maxine ™ Audley. Tala