Variety (December 1954)

WrtlnrMlay? December IS, 19S4 LEGITIMATE 67 Shows Abroad Tlie Lillie Glass Clock London, Dec. 4. i..hn Clement® Play® Ltd. production . / cmedy in three act®, by Hugh Mill*, mars Kav Hammond, John Clement®. c,a|, e d by Clement*; acenery and cos- mcs. Doris Zinkeisen. At Aldwych Theatre, London. Dec. 3. '54; $2.25 top. KfU. com.— a. H*«„ mond Al „„„<l. Com., d. M„n.,ord hn ^r'chal'FnmcoU d.*siyr« C B.Ju e 8y t dnSy (leneral de CourceUea ... Patrick Barton Kiny Louis XV .George Cution Cardinal Pio di Amadorl. .Howieaon Culff in lien Andrew Laurence l ieutenant Robert Beaumont Hvppolite Drummer P»y Tony Burton Soldier J« me « L1 °y d Despite its shortcomings, this play has piquancy that provides entertainment and a first late vehicle for the stars, particularly Kav Hammond. The thwarted bridoegroom angle is shopworn, but the glittering 18th century French settings add polish, and with the charming performances and drawing power of the costars, it should do well. Thin story involves a gay young Countess who allays her husband’s suspicions of her peccadilloes at the French Court. She has to thwart the persistent advances of an amorous old Marshall who ar- ranges for her husband to be sent away on a military assignment. Even the King tries to get into the lecherous act, but the newlyweds finally get together for a happy honevmoon. of course. As the Countess, Miss Hammond makes captivating use of a croaky voice and impish femininity. Her offstage husband, producer-direc- tor-costar John Clements, enacts the groom with alternating humor and despair. George Relph and Basil Sydney are notable as the Abbe and Marshall, and the remainder of the company is satisfactory. Doris Zinkeisen’s scenery and cos- tumes are up to her standard. « Clem. llniffcrcnl for Men Glasgow, Dec. 9. E. P. Clift production of farce in three acts, by Michael Pert wee and Brenda and IWonJa Danischewsky. Stars Yolande Don- lan. Naunton Wayne. Directed by Rich- ard Bird; settings. Claude Marks. At King's Theatre, Glasgow, Dec. 6, '54; $1.20 top. John Carpenter Naunton Wavne Pirbright Donald Bradley Dawn Gave Valerie French Joyce Carpenter Yolande Donlan Grymsdyke Harold Siddons Headmaster William Kendall Maid Betty Crowe Flora Ransom Ruth Maitland Rev. Cedric Hokarth ... . Noel Howlett Sir Roderick Fletcher... .W'enslev Pithey Angela Fletcher Glen Alyn New farce is a fine vehicle for American-horn Yolande Donlan as a schoolmaster's wife who kicks over the traces with daring femi- ninity w hen he suggests she should he more exciting. Play by Michael Pertwee and Monja and Brenda Danischewsky is fairlv strong en- tertainment, with hilarious mo- ments in the second act, but it sub- sides to a quieter and more serious climax. Plot involves a sedate teacher whose sideline is writing sexy novels. When he applies for post of headmaster of a co-ed school, and comes into conflict with a women-shy bachelor rival and a selection board consisting of a prim matron, a gentle church dean and a frank-talking industrialist. Arrival of the applicant’s wife in daring clothes creates a hectic sit- uation. With its accent on sex, romance and distaff table-turning, the show looks like a boxoffice prospect, with Naunton Wayne and Yolande Donlan helping as costars. Wil- liam Kendall’s pipe-smoking rival schoolmaster is a vigorous study in baffled bewilderment, and Noel Howlett contributes a fine por- trayal of the gentle-spoken cleric not averse to feminine charm. Wensley Pithey’s knight and Ruth Mait lands elderly housekeeper- matron are also good, while Don- ald Bradley belies his 25 years to portray adolescent scholar. Claude Marks has hit a gay note In modern settings of an English nomc, and the comedy is tautly directed by Richard Bird. Cord. Irono Innocenle Paris, Nov. 23. , narrault-Madelelne Renaud , n of J * drama in three acts, by Itl-J? l.* 1, , ada P t<? d by Maurice Clavel. ;. a * ed by Jean-Pierre Granval; scenery, w a *V sse: ”ius«c. Pierre Boulez. At Petit Mangny. Paris; $3 top. Michel Plccoli V?"* Estelia Blain AXE*? Yves Deniaud r !f/’ ar ° Beauchamp Jacques Sempey Regia Outin \vtr» areno Ivan Govar w,r * Lydia Keller Ugo Betti. Italo playwright who died early this year, Is just coming mto his own in Paris. This little theatre adaption of one of his favorites emerges as a brilliant experience in dramaturgy and writing, and Maurice Clavel’s adroit adaptation keeps its poignant theme and drama. There are strains of Tennessee Williams in this drama of a crip- pled girl whose assorted local gen- tlemen callers range from evil to good, but leave her uncorrupted. In spite of its moving theme and atmosphere this would be touchy material for Broadway, but might do for off-Broadway. It would re- quire delicate translation. Produced in the small experi- mental theatre of the Jean-Louis Barrault-Madeleine Renaud com- pany, it is one of the most interest- ing pieces in town. Its characteriza- tion, foreshadowing, revelations and moving progression make this high powered theatre, and it is extremely well acted, directed and graced with a proper decors and musical background. Though carry- ing overtones of allegory, the pro- fundity never gets in the way of its primarily explosive theatrical qual- ities. Michel Piccoli projects the van- ity and strength of the male lead, a young policeman, without making him unsympathetic, and Estelia Blain is a properly othereal chip- pie. Rest of the cast is fine, with Yves Deniaud as the warped but not unengaging father and Beau- champs as the vindictive, aging Mayor. Scheduled N.Y. Openings l Theatre indicated if set) BROADWAY Witness For Prosecution (12-16). Portrait of a Lady, Anta Play- house (12-20), What Every Woman Knows, City Center (12-22). Black-Eyed Susan, Playh’se (12- 23). Ruth Draper-Paul Draper, Bijou (12-26). St. Bleecker St., B’way (12-27). Flowering Peach, Belasco (12-28). House of Flowers, Alvin (12-30). Anastasia, Lyceum (1-3). Purple Dust, Bijou (1-4). Time of Life, City Cent. (1-5), Festival (1-12). Put All Together (vvk., 1-17). Fourposter, City Center (1-19). Plain & Fancy (1-20). Silk Stockings, Imperial (1-21». Painted Days, <wk., 1-24). Grand Prize, Lyceum (1-26). Desperate Hours (1-27). Tonight in Samarcand (wk.. 1-31). Wisteria Trees, City Center (2-2). OFF-B’WAY Troublemakers, President <12- 29). Dr.’s Dilemma, Phoenix (1-11). 3 Sisters, 4th St. (2-10). Show Out of Town Hlilhp Spirit Glasgow’, Nov. 26. Lance Hamilton A Charles Rus.sell pro- duction of lane in three acts, by Noel Coward. Staged hv Joyce Carey; super- vised by the author. At King's Theatre, Glasgow; $1.20 top. Edith (a Maid) Gail Lister Ruth Margot Grahame Charles Dennis Price Doctor Rradman Gerald Case Mrs. Bradman Paulette Ludlow Madame Arcati Irene llandl Elvira Kay Kendall 12-Show Stevens Continued from page S3 Plain and Fancy New Haven, Dec. 11. Richard KoUmar A James W. Gardiner (in association with Yvette Schumer) pro- duction of musical comedy in two acts (18 scenes). Features Richard Derr. Bar- bara Cook. David Daniels. Shirl Conway, Daniel Nagrin. Stefan Schnabel. Gloria Marlowe. Douglas Fletcher Rodgers. Nancy Andrews. Book. Joseph Stein and Will Glickman; lyrics. Arnold B. Horwitt; music. Albert Hague. Production directed by Morton Da Costa: dances and musical numbers staged by Helen Tamirls; orches- tra and chorus director. Franz Alters: orchestrations. Philip J. I.ang; sets and costumes. Raoul Pene Du Bois: lighting. Peggy Clark: vocal arrangements. Crane ('aider. At Shubcrt Theatre, New Haven. Dec. 11, ’54; $5 top. Ruth Winter Shirl Conway Dan King Richard Derr A Man John Sheehan Katie Yoder Gloria Marlowe Papa Yoder Stefan Schnabel Bessie Sybil Lamb Aaron Crandall Diehl His W’ife Lucia Lambert Emma Miller .. ... Nancy Andrews Ezra Reber . . Douglas Fletcher Rodgers Isaac Miller Max Van Stamm Hilda Miller Barbara Cook Young Miller Scotty Engel 2d Young Miller Elaine Lynn Peter Rcbcr David Daniels Rachel .. Ethel May Cody Samuel Zook Daniel Nagrin An Amishman William Weslow Samuel Lapp Chris Robinson Jacob Yoder Will Able Abner Zook Edgar Thompson Ike Pilersheiin John Irwin Moses Zook John Sheehan Abner Zook Tim Worthington An Amishman Herbert Surface 2d Amishman . Robert Lindgren Sarah . Renee Orin Ainishmen .... Hay llyson, Robert Kole Esther Beverly Tassonl Rebecca Betty McGuire Mary Mortal Shaw State Trooper Ray Hyson Revival of the Noel Coward comedy is capably served by a first- rate cast, notably by Irene Handl as the wacky spiritualistic medium. Coward himself has supervised the production, which emerges as all-round entertainment. It s head- ed for London. Dennis Price, who was ia the original cast of the play, is suitably urbane and sardonic as the hus- band, coping with the return of his first wife in ghost form and his inquiring puzzled second wife. Margot Grahame, w.k. in both British and Hollywood films, is soundly cast as the wife, and her scenes with her husband have the necessary tautness and liveliness of Coward repartee. Kay Kendall, young English film actress, is com- mendably fluttering as the ghostly Elvira. The show is crisply directed by Joyce Carey. Cord. Pampanilla Paris, Nov. 30. Theatre Municipal I)e La Gaite Lyrique production of operetta in two acts (18 scenes), by Paul Nivoix and Andre Hor- ner, with music by Jacques-Henri Rys. Staged by Jacques-IIcnri Duval; scenery and costumes. Raymond Fost. Henri Lebrun: choreography. Pierre Corbay. At Gaite-Lyrique, Paris; $3 top. Giselle Germaine Roger Jean Jean Bretonniere Toto Michael Baquct Miguel Duvaleix Palmiero Marcel Charve.v Carlotta Ginette Baudin Colette Doris Marnier Archibald _ Max Marrio Marius Christian Asse Municipally-supported operetta house is offering a new but anti- quated tuner. “Pampanilla.” Its lavish production, a la the Folies- Bergere, may please provincials and the ordinary local theatregoing populace. Locale is a mythical carioca state, Pampanilla, and the story involves the traditional elements of romance, intrigue, mistaken identity, etc. Routines are dragged in, and although one undersea ballet is an eyecatching entry, most of the dances and music are ordinary. Jean. Bretonniere, as male lead, has a fair voice, but tends to be a bit precious as an actor. Ger- maine Roger gives the usual sou- brette impression as the ballerina romantic lead, and Michel Baquet is effective as the broad comedy lead. Ginette Baudin Is effective as the everpresent Latin hothead, and the veteran Duvaleix clicks as a War Minister. Mosk. Frances Starr Guests Greensboro, N. C., Dec. 14. Veteran actress Frances Starr guested in the leading role in “The Children of the Bride,” a new play by Arthur Cavanaugh, produced Dec. 3-4 at Women’s College here. Mary Diveny, another Broadway actress, also appeared in the pro- duction. which is generally regarded as a worthwhile project but hardly stacks up as a potential money- maker. He was also primarily re- sponsible for the Phoenix produc- tion last season of "The Golden Apple,” and personally bank- rolled its costly Broadway run. The realtor-producer’s legit ven- tures last season were “Tea and Sympathy,” “Sabrina Fair,” “On- dine” and “The Winner” (all Play- wrights Co ), “Confidential Clerk” and "Remarkable Mr. Penny- packer" (Producers Theatre), "Es- capade” (co-production with Alfred de Liagre), “In the Summer House” (Oliver Smith-Playwrights Co.) and “Golden Apple” (Broad- way run, in partnership with de Liagre). This season his ventures include “All Summer Long,” “Traveling Lady.” “Bad Seed” and the upcom- ing “Once Upon a Tailor” (Play- wrights!, “Saint Joan” and “Flow- ering Peach” (Producers Theatre), “Bus Stop” (Robert Whitehead- Stevensi, “Dark Is Light Enough” (Cornell-Stevens), “Portrait of a Lady” (Austin & Noyes^Producers Theatre!, perhaps a new*Tennessee Williams play (probably Play- wrights), Lucille Prumbs’ “For- tuna” (sponsorship undetermined! and an undisclosed other script (sponsorship undetermined). Real Estate First Other shows in recent seasons in which Stevens has had a sub- stantial investment without being associated in the production have included "Take a Giant Step,” "Oh Men. Oh Women,” various Theatre Guild offerings and the off-Broad- way “Bullfight.” He has been an important fac- tor in the first productions for such authors as Robert Anderson ("Tea and Sympathy”), Liam O’Brien (“Pennypaiker”), Leslie Stevens (no relation) (“Bullfight”), Louis Peterson (“Giant Step”) and Jane Bowles (“Summer House”). Stevens no longer invests in shows in which he’s not partnered, with the rare exceptions of the ventures of a few personal friends with whom he w'ants to string along with a small rooting inter- est. Contrary to gossip in the trade, he never invests in a script he hasn’t read and generally doesn’t invest even with his friends if he doesn’t like the script in question. Stevens’ primary activity con- tinues to be real estate, in which he’s a major operator with proper- ties in various large cities. He mentioned casually recerftly that out ot the preceding 15 days, he’d been in the air 12 days in plane trips around the country to look after his realty interests. Since he also crowds in consid- erable activity as a fund raiser for the Democratic party <a mutual friend revealed that during the re- cent campaign for Attorney Gen- eral of N. Y. State. Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. “wouldn’t make a move without Roger”), Stevens is puzzled when other producers, with no outside interests, complain about lack of time. New' Haven, Dec. 14. “Plain and Fancy” might be labelled “Brigadoon” without kilts, or perhaps “Oklahoma” with a Pennsylvania Dutch accent. Under any tag it’s an enjoyable musical. The show corporates some of the basic elements of those two former clicks. Introduces a number of ace qualities an its own and comes up with a tune-terper that should pro- vide okay entertainment. In plain language, fancy grosses should prevail at the b.o. when the show settles down on Broadway. The production has not yet achieved rave proportions. It’s just a good, substantial song-and- dancer, carrying pleasing features and fresh talent. But an ample road polishing period can readily increase its stature. located in the land of the Amish sect of Pennsylvania, the book is built around what transpires when a N.Y. couple breaks in on the staid community during prepara- tions for a wedding. Plot and coun- terplot are skillfully interwoven in the ensuing situations, giving the script more than lightweight significance. Laughs, both verbal and action, are well sprinkled throughout two acts, the net result being pleasant. Story as a whole has nicely caught the worlds-apart status of the Gotham-Amish modes of living. In order of their featured billing, Richard Derr is personable as the New Yorker who has come to the community to sell the farm he has inherited. His straight work fits, but there’s room for improvement on his vocals. Barbara Cook flits ingratiatingly through an engaging role as an Amish maiden who falls for the man from the big city. David Daniels acts and sings well as a youthful suitor who disrupts the quiet life of the place. What- ever Shirl Conway may have done before, it will probably be topped by her work here. As a purveyor of bright dialog, without being obvious, she turns in highly credit- able performance. Daniel Nagrin does a fine job as leading dancer. Stefan Sehnable is Current London Shows London, Dec. 4. (Figures denote premiere dates) Airs Shoestring, Royal Ct. (4-22 53). All For Mary, Duke York (9-9-54). Beatric® Lillis, Globe (11-24-54). •til. Book, Candlo, Phoenix (10-5-54). Book of Month, Cambridge (10-21-54). Both Ends Moot, Apono <6-9-54). Boy Frlond, Wyndham’s (12-1-53). Can-Can, Coliseum (10-14-54). D'Oyly Cart# Opora, Savoy (9-13-54). Dry Rot, Whitehall (8-31-54). Folios Bsrgoro, Pr. Wales (9-24-53) Htdda Gabler, Westm’ster (11-29 54). Hippo Dancing, Lyric (4-7-54). I Am a Camera, New (3-12-54). Intimacy At 1:10, Criterion (4-29-54). Joyco Grenfell, St. Mart. (6-2-54). King and I, Drury Lane (10-8 53) Manor of Northstead, Duchess <4-28 54). Mafchmakor, Haymarket (11-4-54). Mousetrap. Ambus (11-25-52). Old Vic Rop, Old Vic (9 9 54). Party Spirit, Piccadilly (9-23-54). Relations Apart, Garrick (8-3-54). Sabrina Fair, Palace (8-4-54). Salad Days, Vaudeville (8-5-54). Separata Tables, St. James's (9 22 54). Simon A Laura, Strand (11-24-54). Talk of Town, Adelphi 01-17-54). Teahouse Aug. Moon, Her Maj. (4-22 54) Wedding In Perts, fftnp. (4-3-54). Witness Prosecution. W. Gard. (10-28 53) efficiently gruff and adamant as an Amish father, Gloria Marlow lends simple charm and a pleasing soprano voice to the character of the rural brute-to-be. Douglas Fletcher Rodgers is a good bit of casting for the unromantic groom- to-be, ancf Nancy Andrews’ version of rural housewife is okay. More promising of tunes for plat- ter-spinning purposes are “Young and Foolish” (due for heavy play!, "Follow Your Heart,” “Plenty of Pennsylvania,” while “Plain We Live” (men) and "City Mouse, Country Mouse’’ jfemme) come in for good chorals. Arnold B. Hor- witt rattled off a good set of lyrics, hitting comedy as well as romantic keys to Albert Hague’s music. Dance pendulum swings from an Amish hoe-down to a carnival bal- let. A number depicting the Amish custom of “shunning” an offending member is interestingly choreo- graphed and performed. Terping as a whole rings bell. Sets blend beauty and novelty for distinct effects. Roadmap scrim makes clever show-opener, and a neat in-view-of-audience barn construction is a technical click. Widely varied backgrounds lend themselves to colorful light- ing and staging give evidence of apparel is well handled. Pace is favorable and both writ- ing and staging give evidence of preparatory research. Amish back- ground smacks of authenticity. Batoneer Franz Alters has partici- pants on both sides of footlights well in hand at all times. Somebody will probably make a lively filmusical of “Plain and Fancy” eventually. Bone. ‘Peter Pan’ Continued from page 63 originally announced for a 16-week engagement, through next March 12, but will probably continue as long as business warrants. llalliday took over the presenta- tion of the revival on Broadway after Leland Hayward, who had planned it and raised the $125,000 financing, had to withdraw be- cause of "ilfness. The backers agreed to go along with the re- vised setup which reportedly calls for Lester to get the first $35,000 profit and about a quarter of the producer’s share thereafter, and for the Los Angeles CLO to get 10% of the net profits. It’s under- stood that the weekly royalties off the top are about 25%, and the theatre share is believed to be 30% of the first $25,000 gross nd 25% of the balance. “Peter Pan” is currently in its ninth week at the Winter Garden, N. Y. Legit Followup SCHEDULED OPENINGS Spider'® Web, Sovoy (12-14-54). Crazy Gang, Vic. Pal. (12 16-54). Fap tha Piper, Saville <12-21 -54). Happy Holiday, Palace 02-22-54). Glass Clock, Aldwych (1-3-55). CLOSED LAST WEEK Accounting Love, Saville (12-1-54). Off The Record, Vic. Pal. (11 2 54). oil Mon, Oh Women (HARRIS, CHICAGO) Chicago, Dec. 6. There’s always a market for briglit comedy on the road. When a Broadway laugh show is as well cast as this touring edition of “Oh Men, Oh Women,” the prospects are excellent for a satisfactory reception in Chicago and else- where. Ralph Bellamy has taken over the pivotal rote of the smug psychoanalyst who finds out about his financee’s lurid past from the patients visiting his couch. The star gives a nicely polished per- formance as the pillar of “rational restraint” surrounded by amiable screwballs. Part was played on Broadway by Franehot Tong and then by Lloyd Bridges. ' Joan Gray registers as the bride- to-be with the luxury chassis and primitive mentality, originated in New York by Betsy von Fursten- burg. She works with proper flair, just short of flamboyaney. Larry Blyden, continuing his Broadway assignment as the guy with an un- governable yen for the gal, pro- vides his share of the evening’s fun with a neatly timed portrayal. Patrick O’Neal’s second act drunk scene, in which he barges in to square accounts with the analyst for messing up his “happy home” is a howl, and Peggy Cass wallops the laughs in two lengthy appearances as the bored house- wife who takes to analysis. Henry Sharp is still doing an unobtusive job as the kindly old analyst and Diana Florey is okay as a pert secretary. William and Jean Eckart’s scenery gets appre- tive audience response. Dave.