Variety (April 1964)

Le) -Mavis ‘Somewhat: unvaried but. o¢casional-. “Raby Want a Kiss Actors Studio® Theatre. Presentation, ot : ‘eomedy in two acts, by: Staged by Frank. ‘Corsaro; : scenery «and costumes, Peter . ‘Harvey;. lighting, David: “Hays. Features. Paul _Newman, Joanne. Woodward; James_ Costigan. ‘Opened. April 19, 64, ‘at the Little Th $6.90. {6p weeknights. ‘$7.50 day. -ni 3.. “g2y might out . James: Costigan Joanne. Woodwar iH .. nett ee etes oe eeceee Paul: ‘Newman eee beavene wee “ Suppose. “Charles. ‘Addamé: “were ‘to ‘rewrite ““‘Who’s.: Afraid ~. of Virginia Woolf?”. with © ‘the ~ em phasis on comedy-and.as a: satire | of egomaniac Hollywood. ‘stars? . It} -mightbe “something. . like “Baby “Want a. Kiss,’*. which the Actors: o ‘Studio braught tothe . Little Thea--|. tre last. Sunday” night. €19)° with . Paul Newman and Joanne. Woodward as the exotic screen lumin-: aries. The. show must: be. something -of a lark for. the cast, arid: have. interest © for ~ audiences . willing to: accept . the unusual. Pts “James: Costigan is: -.the: “author: and -plays the third character ‘in: “this contrived -and: liberally borrowed “comedy... about .a: celebrated ‘Hollywood couple who: drop. in. at the country home: of their bachelor: friend of years before: During an_. approximately two-hour:span_ without physical action, the amusingly. sardonic ‘but répetitious: ‘conversation takes various tones; from. out-. right laughs . to: ‘macabre drama. -The.. meaning. is never ‘clarified: Are thevisitors. ‘monsters. in hand-: ‘some -human form,. or are ‘they perhaps merely . ‘uninhibited ego-centrics _ entertaining ‘themselves. with the .sort of. elaborate. practical joke for’. whieh Hollywood... is. noted? Like so much in this baffling “but... : sporadically‘. engrossing play, the. answer to. that key. :question .is: hidden “by ambiguities. and. _apparent incogruities. In. any: €ase, -“Baby Want ‘a Kiss”. fs: a theatrie-: aliy. challenging show, though per|: haps rather: ‘Special for general) brock,” Bonnie. Walker, -+ PatsiKing,. Lulgi -Gasparanetti, Eau. Ben| _ Keith.‘Stewart, ‘audiences. : The . slightly fuddy-duddy ‘shott. story welter whom the screen idols | visit. ‘reasonably. | ‘mormal, if slightly ‘vulnerable to’ psychological ‘suggestion, notably. in regard _ to a-parlor game involving: dreams. “Phe two. callers are way, way out, : however—and © either : insane, with: an urge toward. violence, or just extravegantly . imaginative | pranksters taking time! out “to. make. elaborate fun. of-an. old. acquaint-: ance and incidentally: Jampoon themselves. ‘, During. ‘their. stay, while they. wait for. dinner to ‘be. ready,. they. gobble the .sniacks;-smoke “. the. ‘cigaréts. and: guzzte the drinks: they. say they never touch, meanwhile Fe vealing ‘themselves:: virtual’ -paranoics. She -is:: a-dread: of chamosexuality. Both are: -narcistie “hypocrites”. -who-:. mouth the. “fashionable -Jshibboleths of pholosophy;: “art; “religion, ‘politics, love and ‘so: on,. and: describe their _Supposedly dream: marriage . asa -nightmare -. 0) a Mutual ° suspicion and: hatred. ° ‘When :they: leave, after excoriattng : their vhost .and . then: blithely. passing ‘Sham, there's’ still no positive indi-eation how much .of: it all has. been’ ‘truth and how. much ° fiction, Or even. what it.‘means. however, ‘that the’ playwright. is presenting ‘them. on’ ‘the: level, with. imitative traces” of ‘such. familiar’ dramatic: stylists as ‘Edward | Abee, Samuel: .Becket and” Piraudello; among. others, besides airing many; ideas of’ his’ own about the” con: temporary world. : Under: Frank Corsaro’ s. emphatic: ly inventive diréction, the: perform ance has progressive force, if. a’ tendency toward: ‘montony.. Both Newman. and Miss ‘Woodward give plausible, expressive: . portrayals; _andtheir appreciation: of the biting: edge: of the comments about Holly-. wood -and: its neyer-neverland. ‘so: ¢cial-professional -: world. is Shared “with. the. audience, . Miss ‘Woodward's bit: more. scope for. ‘differences in shading, especially in ‘its ‘outbursts: of: shrewishness,: but -Newman’'s. characterization as. the psychopathic liar also offers -.effectively eerie comment. As. the. ‘utiderstandably | Costigan -adequately | aghast host,.. expresses -.a, ‘plend | of . amusement. “disbelief. and occasional revulsion. |. Peter -Harvey® has «designed . the } ‘properly: atmospheric. cottage. livin’ « “Foom setting = and “appropriate |, atre, N.X.3. ‘riday-Satut-: d|get. good audience comment, .spite its. esoteric quality and, with {its seemingly. reasonable. ‘operatin nights, .$9.60: Friday-Saturday ‘nights. . -Mr. -Morris: “Nathan. The: Waiter: -..:. Mendel ‘Polan.-_ Petty -Officer .. -‘Ship’sCaptain’. ‘Bocton -: ‘Terry. ‘Violino. But ‘Most “Pm Gonna. Move,” “A:Mother’s Heart,” |} “On This: Wedding Day,” “What's Gonna. ‘Be Tomorrow,” Something: te Live For.” ‘That's | ‘the Life. “King _ Life. 5 “That's the -Life.for Me” (reprise), ° en “A Man Myst Have. Something’, fo Live: i “For”. (reprise). : . : “obviously” al “nymphomaniac and tie. avsatyr: with Crown”. is so. bad.. that : it -Tecalls ‘such memorable musical: -clinkers: -as “Buttrio ‘Square. ”. than tthe recent.“Anyone Can: -Whistle,’’. though not’ as. Preten: Jealousy, ' it.--off as ood-natured a3 ‘8 poséd to be.a ballet or. even a pan: -tomime. Under the. circumstances, || ‘it’s no wonder" that. the advance: Tt : appears, I , Lester: Freed. pole. offers | “a r vided -effective lighting.. parakeets, adds up to a respectable ‘venture: for:the Actors Sfidio. and + the. noted: acting. couple. It: ‘should de hookup, should dosbusiness. ‘on-the ‘Newnian-Woodward names. It’s “a questionable bet. for ‘pictires,” but | P is. a Prospective vehicle ‘for ‘stock: | Hobe. ‘Cate Grown: ‘Philip | Rose & ‘Swanlee‘presentation ° of. musical comedy in -two acts (12 scenes}. 18 numbers),.: with book by -. Hy’ Kraft, music. by: Albert. Hague . ‘and. Iyrics by ‘Marty ‘Brill, based. on. the. Hy’ Frank play of ..the ‘same. title. Staged’ by Jerome. ‘Eskow; | ‘choreography, ‘Ronald Field; scen-. ‘ery: and. lighting,. Sam Leve:. ‘costumes.,: ‘Ruth. ‘Morley; orchestrations, “Hershy. ‘Kay; dance -.music.. Albert. Hague; vocal’ ar |xangements .and: musical direction, Ger|Shon Kingsley.. Stars Sam’ ‘Levene, .Theo dore Bikel, Tommy ‘Rall;. features “Brenda Lewis, Martin Wolfson; Morte. Amundsen. |. Alan Alda,-.Wood Romoff, Michael Vale, Val Avery; Robert: Penn; Roy Stuart, -Ted: -[Thurston, Francine Beers, Edwin Bruce, | “‘Rénee Orin, Norman Shelly,: Joe : Ross. Opened .: April 17, .°64;:°$8.60: top.. week: Dr. Irving . Gilbert. ....-.....‘Alan ‘Alda ._ Norman ‘Shelly . Mme. Cole ene ‘Brenda Lewis. Rloom. ‘The Fiddler Dooce Joe Ross Women —. ‘Shirley Yeinwand. Fay Reed: ‘Mr.. Edelman... .. rss Keith Kaldenberg . Mrs: Edelman eelecetececes Ann Marisse. Rubin. wos. ees oo -s.i3, Robert Penn | Beck. wwaeadece! EES _Roy’ Stuart.f Kaplan Leceuebeceap eens ee Val . Avery Mrs. ‘Perlman. | enece eeace™ ’ Francine ‘Beers | Mr. ‘Toplitz :. si cececes Martin’ ‘Wolfson _ Wood ‘RRomofft Ida Pokan' : ou ..».. Renee: Orin: Hymie The Busby: rs ee _. SamLevene. ‘Norma Roberts «..:.. 20%, “Monte -Amundsen 1 David. Cole. .22.5; ce eegeeeccne Tommy. Rall Lipsky mee ieenadeses ‘Michael. Vale | needa wnee es : Val Avery. Sarah .... 12... eoan ion Betty Aberlin Samuel Cole. ‘ ‘Singers: * Natityn” ; Murphy. Bonnie Brody; Betty Aberlin, Fay Reed. Ann’ Marisse. “Shirley” Leinwand, Stéphanie Winters,. John. Wheeler,.. Ken ‘Richards. ‘Dancers: © Geri Svinnér.: Cheryl. Kilgren, jamin, “Rehert _ Avian,. Numbers: 2" “All. Those Years,™. Hello New. York,” “Au Revoir Polan “Make the: Shakespeare,” :"A. ‘Lifetime’ ‘of . Gove.” “A. Man Must © yHave for Me,”" “A Lifetime of. Love”. (reprise), Lear” Ballet, “Magical: Things: in One -ofthie, "bie. numbers2niot “good, ‘but. big in Cafe-;Crown,”. “which: opened last “Friday night AD at.. ‘the Martin Béck Theatre; AS a" ‘straight, : : “King. Lear” ballet,:. ‘done supposed: to be a ‘musical comedy, |. the number is: utterly incongruous and. typical ‘of. the.. evening. “Cafe -Tt's --worse tious. nutty,. as'-the. drama of: which. it’s. a: purported ‘element ‘is not sup Original Play Comeay -by HS. Kraft, staged by" Elta Kazan, setting by .Boris Aronson, pro‘duced by’ Carly: Wharton & Martin Gabel: { Opened Jan. 23, .°42, at:the' Cort. Theatre, | ‘N.Y,> played iat performances. .. Customer. ...5...... . Mervin. “Williams Rubin. 2.20. secs cede cece e.. Jed * Cogut Sam. Lei beduceleeuqtdertescters Jay: Adler |‘Kaplan.. we oe . reesee se2e-sAlfred White. , -Méndel Polaa. + pecee'eseeseas-Daniel -Ocko. ‘ Jacobson -twee ceccseeveesss FEANK Gould. | Mrs. Perlman. o Sec cecceesins :Paula: Miller t Hymies....,: Seno weep cenecsese * San: .-Jaffe ‘Looie: ce weg e oss 0.0.8 coos e es ~ Lou Polan. -Walter. acca seoeeeecsees .Whitner ‘Bissell. Beggar... es. rbecsericer5 Solen’. Burry -Foplitz .....: ia 6 30 06 wes seessEduard. Franz + Norma Cole. wdleeee oeses ae te -Mary Mason Ida Polan’: wpe eb eee eesinceces ‘Mitzi. Hajos. David ‘ Cole.” ; Se veveces “Moris Carnovsky George. Burton. sae vete see: .George Petrie -Lipsky. a ace veaeeese “Robert Leonard ‘Anna Cole: . + Lee eeeeeete » Margaret | “Waller “| Florist. . -s eeceee..-sMichael -Gorrin Messenger Boy Sect eses we oeet ‘Tom ‘Jordan | seuttiebuit in“Shubert: Alley” was. that “Cafe. Crown" had: already |. | posted ‘a closing notice for: ‘its ° ‘sec= ond: night, last‘Saturday. (18),‘prior: . to the. opening. . >y: Hy: ‘Kraft, : and. the. -playwright 1as-done the. book. adaptation, with. yrics unes by Albert..Hague ‘and: ay. y Marty F Brill (any, relation to ‘the . “Baby ‘Want-a Kiss,” which, takes | t ‘its. name from: a‘ moronic. dance |’ based. on arecording : for training |. obese ecere: Ted: ‘Thurston +. Lewis;:: Amundsen ‘and’: -Martin. Wolfson |. ‘make .an ‘evident: try at animating . John: .Anania . Theodore Bikel.| -.. .». Edwin. Brace |: _ fSp ing,” “So Long..as It Isn’t: -Marion . Becroft, Sinee the new: -show is | 81. 80. top. ¥ oe The “King. Lear”: Ballet is. prte-" ‘sented. as a rehearsalof . a: ‘show- ‘| within-a-show,, -but. it’s patently. asbesseere .SamWanamaker’ |. My. Fair Lady; Center (5-20-64. ‘The musical. “Ys based” on. the | 1941-42. comedy. of the. ‘game’. title singing and . ‘dancing : of *. ‘third: ]. starred: Tommy: ‘Rall, the. evening tends to. be. an. embarrassment. * Sam. “Levene. is. : top-starred : “as Hymie,. « the .. “eccentric: and “sup‘posedlyloveable: | -busboy: . ‘lower: Second. -Ave.. restaurant Tep-: ‘resenting the: old: Cafe: Royale ‘of: the heyday:.of the ‘Yiddish’ theatre.’ in: a Theodore Bikel “is: -second-starred ‘as the celebrated: Yiddish | -actor ‘director, ‘presumably.: a ‘freely-. arawe portrait. of. the date. Jacob’ terson, Tina Loali [| ben Singer,: Virginia ‘Payne, Tiger Haynes, |. -Aileen Poe, Dan Resin; Don Crichton, Lou Jacobi. Opened. . Adler... “Both stars” give. the: impression |: io of taking. it easy, which’ is -under'-|. Standable..under-: the circumstances... ‘| Curiously, however, . Levene. makes ‘more _of. his: songs: and. actually ‘seems_ to have. “a: better: ‘singing -| style ‘than -Bikel, who’s::a noted: folksinger.. Bikel, ‘in fact, “appar ently: -has little voice’ -without. mic-. rophone assistance, ard. since he’s: not an. ‘authoritative: or: compelling actor, ‘he’s lost ‘as..the: flamboyant | personality . of the’ story. : Rall, formerly “known. printarily ag a dancer. but ‘in. recent Seasons. | | also’ ‘impressing as .a ‘singer;: -does” cwell enough as. the. great: man’s {| | independent ~ minded .actor son, while the. usually vibrant. ‘Brenda ‘and ‘Alan Alda; Monte secondary roles:.: -Ronald: Field’s: choreography : is “eriergetic but... mostly : pointless, Sam‘ Leve’s. ‘settings of the restau rant: interior and :the ‘streetcorner: ‘outside. are“ ~reasonably | effective: but: the shipboard. ahd theatre .in-teriors suffer: from .the:-same bla tant. lack. of. ‘consistent’ approach. that. makes the. musical as. a ‘Whole’ sO. silly. « “Cafe Crown”: 4s ‘a 4 conglomorate: botch: ‘of: the .sort. that. afflicts: Broadway :from. time: to ‘time, and , Anvariably defies ‘explanation. | “Betty . Rose|° ‘Hobe. [Rory Child’s' Garden of ” Revue! _ nd EDITION) he. ‘. Melbourne; “April nH. “inion? Theatre. Repertory -'Co.. presentation: of.an intimate. revue by Barbara * .Angell;: ‘David .Sale, Paul Eddey;,. Robert Walker,: Billy... Barnes and: ‘Anthony Cam-: -eron. Staged™: ‘by. Barbara. Angell. Fea tures . Barbara . “Angell, Paul. Eddey, Paul -: Karo: ‘© Pianist: Pauline: Pidgeon. Opened: April 10, °64, at the: Russell Street Theatre, Melbourne; "This supper revue, which + opened \at: ‘the -.Arts-: ‘Theatre in January, : ‘has’ gone into its second edition. and now. is being presented by the. ‘Union : Theatre “ Repertory : group: ‘Friday . and * ‘Saturday -nights at’ 11:15 p.m.. The: show uns :75minutes. and” comprises. 25. items. ~ Although about 70%: of the’ ma| ‘terial is-the same, the revue looses much of. ifs intimacy and’ polish | ‘by: being” ‘presented in alarger. theatre .on a largerstage.” Three of the..original cast of. four. remain; Marion ‘Becroff ‘now has too, little "|. to’ do:-and, good “though she . is, there ‘is: too ‘much. of Barbara: ‘An ‘gell, who has..also ‘done :the: staging. and. written much of ‘the material. .| “A. notable’ ‘item. isan uncredited. bit ‘showing a‘tnaiden in “medieval. strains. ‘of ’ “Camelot” music, : with the train’ ‘still ‘sweeping the stage’ once... .She? -has, exited. She finally returns, holding. its ‘end. New. items also. cover: -Aussie strikes (currently in the news) and the. banning. of . Mary: McCarthy’ S. novel, The. Group,” which is still. arousing . press...’ Neither skit. ‘Is: Particularly “controversy: good Stan, “Scheduled Bw way. ,. Preems. .,. Blues. for. Mr. Charlie, ANTA (4-23:64). -’ Porgy: and: Bess,. Center . (S-6-64). .. Sunday Man; -Morosco (5-12-64).. . Royat Shakespeare, State. 18-60, * White. House, Miller’s. (5-19-64). *: _ Roar. Like # Dove, Booth. 15-21-60): . ‘ Fade Out-Fade.tn, Hel finger’ G25-60). ‘ Hamlet,” Delacorte. (6-10-64) :. King‘ and. I, State. ‘1-6-64). -. Othello, Delacorte (78-60. oy ” Electra,. Delacorte :(6-5-64). : ‘Merry Widow,’ Sfate BITE. .. Golden -.Boy,. Majestic. (9-28-6 ’ Ben: Frankl ni Lunt-Font.. iw "toa2.90.. j-and .: Ray Ellis; . ments, Richard De Benedictis.. Stars Carol ‘Frank -Tweddell, : ‘Toby Dawn..:..ccessee-. Rudolf Governor. Publicity sp . ‘. Convicts: vaeat | Darrell: J Askey, Fred. Cline, John Dorrin,. Trish Dwelley, Stephen Elmore, Richard: Carolyn Kemp, |. Betty. Kent, -Glenn’ Kezer,: ‘Mari Nettum, : | BobKeukum,. Roger Allan Raby, Jo ‘Tract, “Gene Varrone,: J. |... Dancers: ‘Don: ‘Crichton, Virginia. amie : Diane Arnold, JudyCassmore;. Diana Ede, |. ¢ Closed last Saturday night (18) ; after: three. e performances.) “You’ re. a Strangérin. “This s cae ** “What’s: the. Matter with. JL. Ernie * :Horvath, --Gene. ‘Kelton, .| Louther. . Charlene. -Mehl, Judy Newman; -}:Joar 4 Shaer, Patricia. Sigris, Roy. -Smith, Bill’ ~ | Can’t: -Go.Back,’ “It’s Good: to. Be’ Back,” Bikey “Fade Out-Fade In;” ‘I’m. with You,’ “My Fortune Is My Face,” ‘What -“Go_..Home: Train,” “Forbidden . Fruit.” literary: chestnut, . indeed. -This dated: “tale: ‘of the: “usherette: ‘who ‘crashes Hollywood” by -mis-: a “hits : cloud. :seven, “gets, aly :~ | brushoff, and ends’ up:.as.a-star, snaring. “Tomantically. ‘the. nephew . of. the studio. boss, re‘It’s. only. -when. the: “presentation ignores. the. ‘book,. ‘per se,” that: it Nits its” high” spots. ° but” unfortunately ‘Paul.Eddey is a |: poor substitute for David Sale: who she. does ‘well, hen thé | lifted “the” previous. ‘edition. she. does ‘well, except when they walking across ‘the. ‘stage | “to. the. ‘Tocal | hitting a good coniedy .vein.in ‘a. . “oe ear”. . ‘wor ‘dage: in “Forbidden Fruit.” " identically ‘named. Notre: Dame ft: {| football’ ‘stat of the. ‘1920’s?). 1h -4| They're: ‘all inept, arid Jerome Es- }| kow’s all-thumbs. staging “accentu| I. Jj-ates the faults; ‘There’s not.a mem-'|{ orable -song,..and‘ except. for the | Ja. “ "Telothes. ‘and David Hays has’ pro-| "Fade Out_Fade in New: Haven, April. 21. Lester: ‘Osterman & Jule Styne presen ‘tation of musical’ comedy in. prolog .and “two. acts (1. scenes, 15 numbers); with book and ‘lyrics -by Betty: Comden ‘and. ‘Adolph. Green; ‘Staged by, George. Abbott; ‘choreography | ‘and: musical: staging, Ernest Flatt; settings | . and: lighting, William: ‘and Jean Eckart;. music by. Jule: Styne. costumes, Donald Brooks; musical direc tion, . Coin Romoff; vocal arrangements; | ‘Buster’ Davis; orchestrations, Ralph: ‘Burns Burnett; features. Jack Cassidy, -Dick Pat Wendy Taylor Cowboy extras “ee sees es Stephen Elmore,: Fred. Cline cc usewsne.Gene ‘Varrone .-Mitchell Jason Gangster éxtra.. Ralph: Governor.,.... eee ‘George Governor....es.s .Howard Kahl Frank | Governor... _John_ Dorrin:| .Riarold. Governor.....:... Gene: Varrone Arnold Governor... ese Stephen Elmore ‘Fired e,: Bichard ‘Frisch, ‘Roger Allan Raby .Sean. Allan, Darrell. -J: °-Askey ; Gene. ‘Kelton. William Louther, Ea. Pieitter, James ~ -‘VonWeiss’ ‘Waiters. web teee Girl. 22.02.00 Se. 111. Jodi Perselle: Myra‘. May “Melrose... beens Virginia. ‘Payne Costume designer. eels -James. VonWeiss | Seamstress. ; Diane ‘Arnold Girls ..-:..-.... weve ‘Diane: ‘Ede, Betty Kent Miss Mallory ...-..... weaecss,-s JO Tract. Custer : Corkley.:... tS eeeee tees ‘Dan Resin |. Photographer. coe ce ges. Sean -Allan|" ‘Max: Welch........ ieweses wee “Richard Frisch. Lou Williams... ccecooee + Eiger. Haynes Dolly. Dailey .’. ceecee Aileen Poe Dr: Anton Trauig.. ve wees eee "] Reuben Singer: Gloria . Currie. .......... '.Tina Louise’ Mme... ‘Barrymore... ace es "Benny. Egelston Singers: Sean: “Allan, Jackie «Alloway, Frisch, . Howard Kahl, “Willian Perselle,.Ed. Pfeiffer, Carolsue Stanton, ; Wendy Taylor, James VonWeiss. ‘Lead’ Dancer: Don Crichton: . “Numbers:: “They’re.. At the Post,’ ats @ Ts This. Thing: I’ve Got?,”’ ‘Lila ‘Tremaine;’’ “You~: “Mustn’tBe~ Discouraged.” | “The Dangerous: Age.” “L. Z.-In’ Quest of His: ‘Youth;”: “The Fiddler: and the: Fighter.” ‘George’ ‘Abbott's staging has: oc casionally plucked -chestnuts . from: | preparatory fires and. brought them .| to .Broadway: ‘as hits, so. it is. rea‘sonable ‘to assume that he: can do ‘Jikewise with “Fade Out-Fade. In,” | despite. its: antiquated :. ‘book, :. take, meanwhile .. quires: special: attention. ° Carol. Burnett ig. ‘top: cast ° ‘and hand her pedestrian. Material. She sings, emotes, Bags: and dances, her |. ‘best. :effort coming. in. “a. ‘Shirley Temple. routine. . Jack © ‘Cassidy. . and’. Lou. “Jacobi share supporting credit; the former. as an -on-the-make film . starand | {the latter as.a‘ blustering producer.. Tina: Louise ‘makes: her. attractive’ presence. felt, and Mitchell: Jason,. ‘Dick Patterson, “Tiger. Haynes” and Reuben. ‘Singer are ‘other : featured | | players: who ‘do. well. ‘The score seems. pleasant, father | than. impressive, ‘with .at least two possible solid.:acceptance ditties, the title song and “I’m With You.” The lyries are better than ‘average,. ensemble, and. novelty. Two dance spectacles. feature the | choreography division; one a color-.. ful violin routine and the other a : -handsome dream sequence. : There: |is'also a lively jockey hurhber: -] All are staged by: Ernest. Platt. ; oe William: and. Jean Eckart: ‘have . "| devised a turntable within a ‘turn-. "| table. that * provides scene shifting for colorful: settings. |° The Donald Brooks costumes: add. ft. the overall flash. | Abbott. has: brought. the: produc. Shows Out of Town darice music — -arrange‘ veoe o e ° +: :Dick. Patterson a’ play ‘titled”™: ‘sponsored. by °. Mrs. . -Johnson.and members, of the Pres-. ident’s. cabinet,” was‘: ‘a dazzling .' oe ‘affair, with virtually . every” celebrity. in: town: -except: the: President. himself. in-.the audience. A British .Embassy party. hosted by -the. .. Ambassador. followed: the perform: ance." +: ‘platforms... interesting “ytion to a ypleally competent pres: .{miere status. There.is considerable. polishing ‘yet. to be. accomplished, but it is. in that. particular depart« ‘ment: that. the: Veteran ‘stager. shines.’ a Bone. The Comedy. ot ‘Errors . : Washington, April 14. ‘Bonard Productions & Donald Seaweil,. “by. arrangement with: the Royal .Shake. spéare Theatre. of Stratford-Upon-Avon, -: “prese tatio > itchell Jason, ReuTie ntation of revival of comedy by. Wil Maer neeiings, Som staan ond 3 se BS: 0 ye an fford' Williams; . costumes, ‘Anthony. . . Others:.. Trevor Powell; music; Peter .. Wishart.’ Opened .."64, at the National Theatre, Viole April 20, at the ‘Shubert | Theatre, _April . 13, New. Haven; $7. top: fa | Washington; $6.95 top. a Prof. “Sprokét J+: .4+40++)<.---Dan' Resin Solinus srteussesessrere. Michael” Murray oe "Groom. ... 2... .0re. ye..ee+ Don: Crichton | Aégéon .... veeeees-». Tony. Church. Norman ‘Nadir.---...¥... Stephen. Elmore | Antipholus Twins. veceees ++ Tan Richardeon, | Lionel ‘2. Governor.....:".. ...-Lou Jacobi ‘Dromio Twins. weeeceecs.Clifford: Rose,: ‘Hope. Springfield. cosines Carol | “Burnett Barr MacGregor Autograph kids. .:.... ‘Roger. ‘Allen Raby; palthazar ...: ; “Michael Burrell’ | Carolsue. ‘Shaer, Patricia Sigris Angelo ..... 0.20. selouletKen Wynne’ Pop ss eer hae arr ay oe we~. Frank Tweddell Merchants. Jan. “Lindsay, John: ‘Harwood Helga. Sixtrees.: a o% eee ° o . Judy ‘Cassmore Pinch ‘bede “Secewecs a uee: . Mi ichael Williams. . .Publicity man.i...... eeees BOD ‘Neukum | Officer Z ceececceseeseeets+. JOHN Church .~ Photographer ............Richard Frisch | Messenger. ih se * coeeess.. Peter “Blythe ‘Byron Prong. JIE daek Cassidy | Gaoler ..2..c..¢s...00... Brian Osborne... > (3.1) sn John .Dorrin | Aemilia ......4.5.6.. > Pauline. Jameson .:| Billy Vespers... sc.cec+--.--Glenn ‘Kezer| Adriana ... seeeee dees: ees eee: Diana. Rigg. ‘Rex .....05. ‘J aveveceees-Datrell J. Askey | Luciana Seseeecce. fine sesae “Julie. Christie —. Chauffeur bv sone eceese--William. Louther ‘Luce .....0s¢55 wiebs ae eeens ” Caroline Maud Girl eee 3 coe ecreeeates -Trish -Dwelley Courtezan . we i ecee: ‘wighe Spriggs owen, | “John Cobnér,' . we Ian Lindsay, Peter Tory, John Church, °-. Michael Jenkinsou,.Lyn Pinkney, Philippa Urquhart, Jennifer ” Clulow, Wyn. ‘Jones, we ‘Leslie. Southwick, “Phere. were “all. “the. expected hw. jokes ahead of: time about picking “The. ‘Comedy of. Errors’. ‘for presentation in ‘Wash‘ington. ‘as. the’. ‘Royal.. Shakespeare Co... flew in ‘aftera swing. through’ .-: _eastern: Europe to.open an. Ameri‘can. tour.: As. “staged by. “Clifford:-. Williams; . the © piece is .a: rowdy ” romp, | its. title. ... “This: revival is. spirited” produc: tion: of. one of. Shakespeare’s first” ‘and: shortest. ‘plays, and those. who “good for heartier. laughs. than any of: the. obvious: Gags. about -7 The: opening . night. performaiice; | : : ‘Lyndon. .B. ” = have, fretted over. its: selection ‘as.a the. alternate for “King Lear” for’ ~ the ‘opening of the U.S. .tour of: the... The... young’ east. has the Seldom produced . this’ cast behind them. Tan’ Richardson. and: ‘Alec “Mee. Cowen: as: the long-separated: twins, | and . ‘Clifford. Rose. and° Barry. _ MacGregor as their: twin servants, . are all young and. Vigorous: “and | _ practically : gymnasts on ‘the stage. |<) in-allthe racing about. that: goes --[-On, In just about .the-oldest the-° | atrical roles of ‘mistaken -identity,: . ~ ‘they may not. look alike, but they: * | are. convincing : in: the: contagious... rumpus. Lely in: this’ a ‘country, well. in hand, -and Wila liams-has infused ‘it witha: ‘rhythm. -which Takes it. take. flight in high we {BUM Or., ‘ ae |: There ‘is old: fashioned: slapstick: | ‘as. the :conjuror ‘sets. about’ trying |. to put the double . ‘whammy -. -On :‘young -Antipholus; . ‘pantomine. sketches ‘have been in-.. .* serted here and there ‘by: Williams,’ — presumablyto. lengthen: the ‘play. -:. ‘al Quite ‘a. few of: the -lines -are -still -|funny: by themselves, particularly -.. “when ‘they have ‘the. enthusiasm: of great Shakespearean company can: Loe relax.” play... and’: engaging _ ‘Michael. Williams. is’ ‘hilarious in ; the brief: comic‘ part. of. pinch; a’ -. confused. ‘old fellow. who | keeps | falling over’ ‘his coattails ~ while. ° | trying’ .to perform: acts of ‘magic. <’ imaginative. . and -ridiculous,. illusion farce. Carp. “el ‘The ‘costumés. by Anthony. Powell, . i add... greatly tothe merriment: and. the ~~ “of ~ the. ‘Shakespearean ; “Elizabeth Spriggs, as a Jadyof.” tthe: ‘evening with feathers instead. ‘of. hair (Powell’s ‘work again),. is ‘a. va ‘delight... The . two. leading: Jadies,..~. 7 -Diana Rigg and Julie Christie, are |: | ‘fine‘in seriqus’ Toles, swhile alnfost... everyone. : élse’:-is . being ~ -funny.: ay Tony: ‘Church, : . Michael: | ‘Murray, ‘Ken Wynne and ‘Pauline Jameson’: are: other. members of. the -cast -adding materially. to. the suecess of — ‘the production. ° :oe ‘Theset. consists of ‘merely three’ on ‘successive |: levels:. There is noscenery, but a‘ skillful. -luse .of -lighting, colorful. costumes and great rushing around wouldn't. ‘Teave “much time: ‘to notice. dt any | ae “way. “ “Comedy. of. Errors”. inay “not: be ‘one ‘of: Shakespeare's. best plays, a but’ an: exciting. Production of it is . an. enjoyable. evening. : i