THE THEATRE
"The Infernal Machine." At the Chanticleer Theatre Club.--.“ Meet The Navy." At the Hippodrome.
IN the period between the two wars, Jean Cocteau was one of the most discussed of French dramatists, and his plays, such as Orphie, written about 1926, had a bizarre quality and a semblance of originality, the most striking of them being composed on Greek themes, Oedipus Rex and Antigone being examples. With his friend Picasso he had a neo-classic phase, but remained unknown except to a small adventurous public. The Chanticleer Theatre is an enterprising small theatre between South Kensington and Gloucester Road which produces interesting plays .that commercial managements are shy of, and it has the amenities and atmosphere which make such small repertory theatres so agreeable. It is somewhat handicapped by its very small size, but the present production by Peter Brook of The Infernal Machine is worthy of a theatre with much greater resources, and is one that I feel sure would please its author, for it does full justice to his work and made a strong impression. The setting was particularly effective, and the acting of Sigrid Landstad (Jocasta), Joy Harvey (The Sphinx) and Frederick Horrey (Oedipus) was admirably expressive, although it is a-weakness that each of these actors has a habit of becoming indistinct at the most dramatic moments. The only exception was Mr. Robert Marsden (Tiresias), whose diction was always clear. As a modern version of Sophocles this is an extremely interesting play, but M. Cocteau has in my opinion, added nothing but a few spices of modern psychological jargon to the impressiveness of Sophocles'
It must be granted, on the other hand, that he has done this so adroitly that he has almost turned the play into a psychiatrist's case.
The Royal Canadian Navy's show at the Hippodrome has the touch of a real hurricane. The Canadian Wrens, Petty Officer and ratings, are of such ripe and shattering beauty that I wondered the audiences could remain in their seats. The comedians were nothing if not also ripe and traditional ; there was an unexpected charm in the dancing of Blanche Lund, while the Scena Russka with the Balalaika Orchestra excelled in virtuosity even the hot pace set by the . Jack Tars. JAMES REDFERN.
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