THE THEATRE
MR. Dm/um WOLFIT has begun a season of Shakespeare, Ben Jonson and Ibsen at the Scala Theatre, and it is to be hoped that the War Oflice may be able to allow him to finish this excellently planned season, for there can be no doubt about the high standard achieved by Mr. Wolfit and his company or indeed about the large public support they command. A very large and enthusiastic audience was y present on the opening night of King Richard III and the perform- ance was in every way admirable. The role of King Richard is indeed one of Donald Wolfit's finest performances. He does not hesitate to present in vivid colours the villain that Shakespeare has created. In the nineteenth century King Richard III seemed too utterly malignant and double-dealing for belief, but events in Europe since 1933 give a terrifying reality to Shakespeare's conception, and Mr. Wolfit missed nothing in his powerful and convincing performance. He was supported by an excellent cast, including Rosalind Iden, who was touchingly effective as Lady Anne, the unhappy widow of Edward, Prince of Wales, and praise must be given to the setting and costumes and to the most appropriate music supplied by Rosabel Watson and her orchestra. As usual in his productions, Mr. Wolfit does not sacrifice Shakespeare to unnecessary a scene-setting. The play has only one interval and gains greatly by the consequent swift unfolding of the action.
The new version of the Gingold-Kendall intimate revue at the Ambassadors has lost nothing of its predecessor's wit, brilliance and malice, but has even gained by the inclusion of such items as "'Cello Solo," " Health Talk " and the indescribably funny dressing- room scenes of " Services Rendered." This is a truly intimate and sophisticated show that will shock the narrow-minded, delight the innocent, entrance the London high-brows and bewilder the ignorant. Dresses, scenery, chorus (both men and women) are conspicuous for taste, good looks and capacity. Here are displayed the virtues of intelligent selection and direction. JAMES REDFERN.
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