Variety (Aug 1939)

44 VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, August 23, 1939 Malvern Festival Plays In Good King Charles' Golden Days Malvern, England, Aug. 12. T1i-4t.^)-l,-;il roni^.^y-tlrnnift In tlirpo ftct*< hy 'Xi'iir^c IN'rn.-inl .^liaw; prescnloil by Uoy l.iiuli.Tl; «lni;ort liy H. K. AyllfT,. at M.ll- viii l-v<rlv.il. Aui;. 12, '30. Mi*. H:u-*h:iin : Isnbcl Thornlnn Silly ..I'hyllls .SliiiilJ O'trffO Kox. K'liK It , Nf»ll Cwynn I"»u,"lios3 .of ('levelfinrt.. J>u<'h09M of I'ort-stnoull) Jiiili- of York <;i'.irr<»y Kncller Wui-*eii Catherine of Dragahzn Irwe Vanbrugh II Trounror ,. .?Ierl>i*rt I.omi.is ,.Kriicsi Tl»e:^lKer , ...F!llren Dolilon .Dnphne .Ucnr.l ..Yvonne Ai'nnutl .Alexaniler Knox Anlllony Cu.HtioIl Play is billed as 'a history lesson in three scenes, by George Bernard Shaw, who, through the person of Charles, the merry monarch, adroitly presents a discussion by the monarch of the heavens, on philosophy,.human nature, religion, and the English as a people.' Close your eyes and it's grand en- tertainment, since the characteriza- iton is perfectly drawn. But not once during the piece Is there the least hint of theatre; nor, for that matter, is it ever intended there should be. Shaw knows well enough that his audience is more than will- ing to let him talk. It Is a privilege never accorded to, and immediately damned, in anyone else who would assume such a prerogative while writing for 'the stage. When comes tlie curtain there's a sense of disap- pointment, but due factually to the author's neglect to provide consum- mation to his conversation piece, a necessity in any stage vehicle, no matter how beautifully prosed. Its interest for U. S. audiences is mitigated by the historical agenda, of battles, political figures and Intrigue of that English period. The characr ter of George r'ox, founder of the Society of Friends (Quakers), seems likely to feed American thought,- but It's a fading character. The last scene, in the Queen's bou- doir, is a touching and fine piece of writing. Had Shaw bowed to thea- tre and introduced then the oft-re- ferred to villain in the piece, Titus Dates, in an attempt to seduce Cath- erine away from both her monarchs, there would be many to say this is a freat play. It stands now as a plat- orm for admirable speeching. Prob- ably many will grant its greatness,, but that will be over teacups and not in the market place of plays. WHAT SAY THEY? Malvern, England, Aug. 7. roniedy In .seven aceneA by James Brldi<»; pr.'i'enlecl by Roy LImbert; staffed by IT. K. Ayllff; it MnlveiTi Festival, Aue. T. 'SO. 81r Archibald Aiilier Anthony Bushell J-irJ Carlhennle. H. R. HIenelt tir. R)\eU\<! ..Norman Wool.ind J*nn McRntee ;.Cecil Trouneer Sir. Mllllkon ...Oeoffrey Luniiden Mr. Mather Peter C.iinniaerts Mls:< Mere Lucille Sieven Adolphus Maym.in...*' Alex McCrlnrtie Zi.>ro3h Hoyman Dorothy ."imlth Ada Shore Yvonne Arnaud Prnfe.ssor Hayman Alastair Sim ^'l•llln Kelly Phyllis Shand Bodelluu BlrUenshaw....E. Rayaon-Couscns If ever a cast had reason to be Borry for themselves it U in feeling this play drift from them. Fifth and final scene carves up what to then HILDEGARDE Currently Appearing SAVOY PLAZA HOTEL NKW YORK Held Over Until October 19 OPENING LAMAZE HOI.I.VWOOU NOVEUHER £ Pop. Mgr.— anna SOSENKO Ex. Bepw—JACK BERTELL The Berry Brothers THIS WEEK APOLLO, NEW YORK Vl» NAT N.\ZABRO NEW T01?K is quite divcrlinsf. With careful re- writing ot the last scenes, 'What Say They?' would possess enough for tne West End. As to U.. S. presentation, the an-' swer is in another English school play ot last season. There is a defi- nite similarity between 'Housemas- ter' ('Bachelor Born' on Broadway) and James Bridie's play, even down to the cold, emotionless clergyman, who seeks to stifle the emergence of youth from an attempt at bigoted suppression, and the daring female visitor. Dialog is Sriiart, With one or two bits very close to the blue. This to a point where it might be conjectured—just what part of staid Scotland is this uni%'ersity? A Broadway showing would require considerable pruning. Story is of a Scotch university, to which comes a pert. French demoi- selle. Ada Shore (Yvonne Arnaud), who. knows all the i-opes. .In the melee of the students' time^honored celebration of their election of a rector, she's mistaken by the uni- versity president (Anthony Bushell) for an expected secretary. Being financially depressed, she does not correct his impression. Then there's one Cohnell O'Grady; a talented Irish poet and literary man, a lovable character, who's hiding oiit on the place as the porter. McEntee (Cecil Trouneer) . ' He had soured some politicos during the 'trouble' in-Ire- land, making him take to night. The girl is his niece and he had sent for her to bolster the student attraction at a dancehall near the university, which he riins undercover. Alislair Sims plays the cleric for everything; Trouneer is picturesque as the rioting Irisher, M^ps Arnaud makes her role ripple while Bushell has' to play against his youthful ap- pearance and good looks, both diffi- cult to align with a staid university prez. DEAD HEAT Malvern. England, Aug. Si. Coni.>dv In tbivi n<ls by Robert Vanslt- tnrt: prt*sejiieil by R<»y J.linbert; staged by H. K. Ayllll; at Malvern rcallval. Aug. B. inso. Davis Maltland Moss Lord FHrnlrlRli R. Stuart LIndaell Sir Viiinr Bl:iyde Bonald Ward Lndy KarnleiKh Irene Vanbrughi Sheila rarnlelgh iRoaemary Scoti Chrl.itopber C'arrulhers... .Anthony Bushell Col. Carr-Uamptnn Julian -D'Alble F.leanor .Farnleicli MarRnret "IVIthers Mrs. Carr.Haiiiplun Eileen Beldon body Carrulhcrs Isabel Thornton Here 1$ a play containing most of the ingredients for a London run. If it fails to get there it may mean that West End managers have decided that their audiences are tired of so- phisticated comedies dealing with the peerage, ex-chorus girls with lurid pasts, hunting to jolly old hounds and sex, a mixture of which the English theatregoer has hitherto taken in big hunks. It's smart, occa- sionally too smart, with dialog that whizzes into obscurity. 'Dead Heat' deals with people who are a delight to playgoers here, but U. S. audiences would perhaps find the atmosphere a little forced in that it's represented through characters with superficial cleverness. Play presents the theme that love and business should be balanced. This is the idea of Pleasant (Irene Vanbrugh). grandmother to Sheila Farnleigh (Rosemary Scott). Girl Is going headfirst into an affair with Carruthers <Anthbny Bushell), who's obsessed with the idea of entering Parliament and prepares to let noth- ing stand in his way. The constitU' ency chosen happens to be that un der the particular eye of the girl's father. Lord Farnleigh (R. Stuart Lindsell). From then on its a bit involved, with the couple going oft first to trv out their love in a coast hotel, staging th-» affair at the hos- telrv where Sir Victor Blayde (Ron- ald Ward) is keening under cover a barmaid and a girl from an inn ad- jacent to the Farnleigh country manor. Latter have been cited as witnesses in a divorce suit threat- ened by Mrs. Carr-Hampton. wife of the Master of the Hunt and the M.P. in danger of losing hi& seat to Car- ruthers. There is a mass of smart lines and considerable freedom in dealing with the seduction. Performers are flrst- rate. but outstanding is Ward, as the ne'er-do-well Blayde. He strolls through the play perhaps without reason but certainly with rhyme. Drama at Malvern Malvern. England, Aug. 11. . The first four of the six plays scheduled for proJuclioa at the . Malvern Festival this summer have definitely failed to set llie "Thames on fire. Indeed, there's small likclihoiid of any. in their present shape, attaining West End presentation. Report is freely circulated here that Roy Limbert, who pre- sents the plays in association with Sir Ciedric Hardwicke. re- fused to open until he received a guarantee of $5,000 toward the expenses of production. It .was a matter of contention for some time, with rehearsal.-; delayed and announcements published in the local sheet, that the Festival would not be held. Eventually, Malvern businessmen subscribed the amount required, and activi- ties were resumed. politics and female devotion. Some of the costumes and sets are pretty —they were so in the playwright's successful 'Lady Precious Stream'— but the present play has no other merits of that, fantasy. Play covers political intrigue and gangster stuff in Chinese garb^ While looking for a proverb, you're met with a gun and talk. about communism, Japan, armaments and the generalissimo's wife. Playwright Hsiung has at least succeeded in presenting an un- expected side of his country. Story covers the purpose of Pro- fessor Chang (Alexander Sarner), a presumably mild educationalist, to achieve a united China, this over a period of 20 years. He walks out on many wives during the process and manages always to tie up with a comely maiden! This last seems a weakness, but . he really . trusts no one in his schemes! A close asso- ciate, Professor Ping (Norman Wooland), is anxious to see him dead, but never quite manages it. With Chang prepared to bestow unity on his country, he sacrifices his son to a shooting squad because latter has cheated about his poor sight while joining the Air Service; then refuses to listen to a plea of a long-lost daughter. He is betrayed by his latest pretty and ready to be assasinated, but is saved from the bullet by one of his wives (Helena Plckard), who has sneaked back into his household as a servant and shielded him from the bullet. She dies in his arms while praising the professor for the secret plan he has for combatting Japan and which he will reveal 'tomorrow' to the wait- ing generalissimo. Weak writing does not help this story jell in the Chinese background. It may be that Hsiung's intention was not to have the play done quite so boisterously as here, and the droll professor characterized so fantastic- ally. But, in toto, productional and casting defects certainly are not alone responsible for the poor re- sponse here. 10. OLD MASTER Malvern, England, Aug. . In three acta by Alexander Knox; pre- sented by Itoy I.linlHart; nlaped by H. IC AyllfT; at Malvern Festival. Aiip. 10,' '30. Attendant 0<'nrtrey I.unisden Stan '. Rayson-Cousena Lord Hleglno Alexander Knox Lester.Coon l-'rederk-k Bmdshaw Nan Barra Betty Mnrsden Dudley Ronuiey t;rnosl Theslser Vane Barra AhiRialr Kim Agnea Hhyllis Shand Maude Garden ullve Milliuurnc Joe Pomeroy luliiin d Alhlo Mr. Botta Norman Wooland Mr. Clltlerbat Alexander Earner Lady Pounce M:ii-K.ireL Withers Miss Pllklne .Mrii-Kcry I'IcUard Pageboy feler Johnson Professor From Peking Malvern. England, Aug. 8. Drama In three acts hy S. L HMlunff; pre- sented h\ Roy r.tmhert; staged by H. K. Ayllff; al M.ilvern I'estlval. Aug. 8. '30. I Prores'-'or chanR. I Mrs. t'hung i I.u Yinc Miss P.nlnbow Wiinj;. I !>cle<>tlvi' 1 nciocUve. ( Profev^*o^ PIni;. } Master t.'hani{ (as Alexander Sarner ....Helena Plckard ...Alex McCrlndle Eileen Beldon K. RayJiofi-Cousena I'leter Cnmmnerts Norman AVooland chlM) Edward Hardwlcke ; Miss Ch.mc fa." a '•hllill .Tudy Wooland • .M.lldsi'r\-int T.urllle Stcveti I MIs.^ Willow Mnrgery Plckard ' Master Chanq.- CeofTrey Lumsden I S*»rv-iiit Krcdertck Bradahaw Mr. Kn..... Kred A. F.aKex Ml-. l.I -...*• ;. Unysnn-Coiisens Ml»" thaiij ■ ..Daphne Heard A rather hopele.w attempt to com birte siiigleiiess of purpose, Chinese Some clever writing floats this play, and with the injection of sure bits of theatre, holds its punch quite consistently. Idea is not new, but the author has drawn on his acting ex- perience to set it in lively stagecraft, aided by an entertaining story. It's about Vane Barra. an estab- lished artist (Alastair Sim), with a grouch against the racketing dealers who sign youngsters to exclusive contracts at percentage rates, who tries to break his agreement, made years before. But the dealer (Ern- est Theslger) refuses to let him out. explaining that he has invested in building up the artist to where his paintings are now valued and kept at a rising price. Lord Higgins (Alexander Knox), an American student and an admirer of Barra's work, falls in love with his daughter. Youngster has no money but plenty of talent, and is prepared to sign a contract with RorhantyOn, the dealer, to get the marriage stake. Seizing this as an excuse. Barra suc- ceeds in enrolling them in a scheme to stage his fake death in a fire; it will show the youth the grasping side of the business. The scheme works Barra is immediately hailed as a de- parted genius, and Romantyon stages an exhibition at fabulous prices for the Old Masters he hold.s under the early agreement. Barra's return from the grave iil the guise of a new oainter, with a style iienr enough to be the same as tliu> lost genius, has (Continued on jnjja il) Leading Strawhat BiUs THIS WEEK 'Victoria and Her Hussar' (new, by Alfred Grunwald, Dr. Frilz Lohnei- Beda, Harry Graham)—St. Louis Muny. •Love and All That' (new, by Owen Davis)—Lakewood theatre, Skow- hegan. Me. 'We Three' (new, by Reginald Lawrence) (Norma Terris)-Bass Rocki theatre, Gloucester, Mass. •'She Didn't Know It Was Loaded' (new, by Hildegarde Dolson, Sylvia Harris) (Louise Piatt, Virginia Valli)—Chapel playhouse, Guilford, Mas.s. 'Grass Is Always Greener" (new, by Robert Pirosh)—Surry (Me) theatre. 'Gas Light' (new, by Patrick Hamilton) (Claudia Morgan, John Emery) —Spa theatre, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 'Marriage Royal' (new, by Robert Wallsten) (Lucille Watson)—New-^ port (R. I.) Casino theatre. 'Fancy That' (new, by F. C. Furcolowe)—Litchfield (Conn.) theatre. 'Skylark' (Gertrude Lawrence)—Cape playhouse, Dennis, Mass. 'Antamn Crocus' (Douglass Montgomery, Mildred Natwick)—Westche.?- ter playhouse, Mt Kisco, N. Y. 'PygiAallon' (Leiiore Ulric)—Starlight theatre. Pawling; N. Y. 'School for Husbands* (Charles Coburn, June Walker)—Mohawk Drama festival, Union college, Schenectady, N. Y. 'Easy Virtue' (Jane Cowl)—Ridgeway theatre, White Plains, N. Y. 'No More Ladles' (Martha Sleeper)—'Temple playhouse, Greenwich, Conn. Tobacco Road' (Slim Timblin)—Ivory ton (Conn.) playhouseV 'Private Lives' (Eva Le Gallieiine, Rex O'Malley)—Country phu^house, Westport, Conn. - X 'The Constant Wile* (Ethel Barrymore)—Maplewood (N. J.) playlSouse: 'Men In While' (Alexander Kirkland)—Paper Mill playhouse, MiUBlirn N. J; - ^ 'Burlesque' (Clifton Webb, Libby Holman)—North Shore players, Mar- blehead. Mass, 'First Lady' (Violet Hemitig, Ann Mason)—Berkshire playhouse, Stock- bridge, Mass. •The Man In Possession' (Rudy Vallee)—Deertrees theatre, Harrison, Me. 'Springtime for Henry' (Edward Everett Horton)—Ogunquit (Me.) play- house. •Seventh Heaven' (Cliarles FarrelD—Bucks County playhouse, New- Hope, Pa. •Brown Danube' (Donald Woods, Jane Wyatt)—Elitch's, Denver. NEXT WEEK (Open Aug. 28, Unless Otherwise Noted) The Great Ask, or Co-Ops and Robbers* (new, by Edward Alexander)— Paper-Mill playhouse, Millburn, N. J. ' ' 'The Rexners' (new revue)—Country playhouse, Westport, Conn. 'Bicentennial' (new spectacle, by Allen Osborne)—Berkshire playhouse, Stockbrldge, Mass. 'With All My Heart' (new, by Austin Parker) (Glenda FarrelD—Ogun- quit (Me.) playhouse. 'Vot« for Youth' (new revue, by Alex Kahn, William Provost)—Com- munity playhouse, Spring Lake, N. J. (opens Aug. 30), 'Gas Light' (Claudia Morgan, John Emery)—Newport (R. I.) Casin theatre (opens Aug.'29). 'Berkeley Square* (Lahity Ross)—Westchester playhouse, Mt. Kisco, N. Y. - •Spring Mettlns' ((Gladys Cooper. Philip Merivale)—Spa theatre, Sara- toga Springs, N. Y. (opens Aug. 29). •Springtime for Henry' (Edward Everett Horton)—Maplewood (N. J.) theatre. •Kiss the Boys Goodbye* (Sally Filers)—Cape playhouse, Dennis, Ma.<;.i. The Torchbearers* (Alison Skipworlh)—Lake Whalom players, Fitch- burg, Mass. - 'The Guardsman' (Kitty Carlisle)—Bass Rocks theatre, Gloucester, Mds.i. •Our Town' (Thornton Wilder, Martha Scott)—Bucks County play- house, New Hope, Pa. 'Springtime for Henry' (Donald Woods, Jane Wyatt)—Elitch's, Denver. Summer Tryouls She Didn't Know It Was Loaded Guilford, Conn., Aug. 21. Comedy In three acta by Hlldgard^ Dol. ann and &*ylvla Harris; presented by the Chapel Playhouae; features Louise Plait and -Virginia Valll; alnged by Hardie Al- bright; settings. Joe Marra; at tha Chapel Playhouse, Guilford, Conn., Aug. 2i-'Jil. Alice Gardner VliKlnIa Valll Tom Gardner MItrhell Harris Kitty 'rhornton tjlive Warren Steve Bartlelt tduard I'ranz Judy Holmes. K". T.oulse Plait Portia Marietta Canty Jerry Martin Alexander t'ross N'Ickle Harrington Alan Handley Miss Perkins Jean Piatt Woman Reporter Kllxabelh Slearns Photographer Peter -Van Diiren First Drunk, Roberi Hart Second Drunk John Baliliei- Delivery Boy ;.. Warren llanscmn Cheese King Joe Maria Chapel Playhouse, which has been having a pretty good season with old standbys, is trying a new one this week, a comedy. For summer fare, it's okay. Against stronger stage stuff, however, it would probably wither, but entertaining light pic- tures have been made from flimsier material than this. Play Is in the 'Live Alone and Like it' vein. Judy Holmes (Louise Platl) has written a book called 'Get Your Man,' with full instructions. A cock- tail party celebrating publication of the book is accidentally crashed by Nickle Harrington (Alan Handley), who falls for Judy without knowing who she is. When he learns she's scrivener of the tome, he fears she will attempt to practice what she preaches on him, so he walks out, into the arms of Judy's rival, Kitty Thornton (Olive Warren). Judy's «>nterprising press agent. Jerry Martin (Alexander Cross), has arranged with a camera pal on Life to shoot some pix of the litei-arv glamour girl, but Judy gets ..4^ bit tight while the shots are being ifr_ and gives out that she's just a womafT in love and her book is a phoney. Martin manages to kill the pix be- fore they reach printer's ink by bringing about a wedding betwecii Judy and Nickle and substituting marriage photcis in place of the give- away shots. Production very smooth for « strawhat break-in, with Hardie Al- bright neatly staging. Consistently good castinji and generally com- mendable performances. Miss Piatt, from pix, makes much of a not-too- meaty role, and Virginia Valli fllla co-starring shoes capably. Support- ing standouts are Mitchell Harris. Alan Handley, Olive Warren and Cross. Authors Hildegarde Dolson ond Sylvia Harris (sister of Jed) are comparative youngsters who exhibit possibilities. They've given a slight- ly new twist to the boy meets, loses and gets girl theme. A pair of good acts are contributed by Joe Marra. Bone. THE WOMAN BROWN Provincetown, Mass., Aug. 19. Trnffody In two acts (13 scenes^ by l>oro thy Cummlng; presented by Lulth Worm'in Skinner: staged by Bohort Foulk; .selllnBs. Roger Sherman; at Wharf thealro, I'lov- Incelown, Mass., Aug. 10, '30. Marv Brown ..Sylvia Field .lilr Patrick Fielding Iloynl B"nl -Sir Chavles Hawkea St. Clair Uayili'id Kenneth Sutter Richard ItlOei- Petc Urown Icklo -Van Pntien nllziibelh Turnbull Gloria Bloiidell Llz-/.le Plggott .....TOda Helneiniinn Dr. Moore Ralph Morehousii Rev. Mr. Shell I.en Mi-nre Allen Child Olive Loclinrl Mrs. GoodbeTy Madeline Marcus .Mrs. MItchmore ..Martha Hawkins Judge ;..T.en Meni-n Deputy Clerk ..William Chnliee Policeman ....Paul England Messenger , John Fields Minister Ilnl|>h Morehouw Porter William Challe." Tsher. .Patil KiiBl-nnl Foreman ., .John CuJdoback Here is the most promising tryout in this part of New England thi.s summer. It needs little, if any, re- vision, and nothing more than a full, intense rehearsal by a company and director at least equal to tho.se iii- olved here, to make it a logical eh+vy for Broadway. It's also a vet.v goo(l film possibility, although Hol- lywood might deem it commerciatl.v wise to have the story end happil.^ (Continued on page 45)