13 MAY 1955, Page 7

and of the remaining six productions, two were revivals (of

Shakespeare and Shaw), one was an adaptation of Zola's shocker, Therese Raquin, and two (of Anouilh and Wilder) might be called farcical comedies if it were not uncharitable to put them in the same category as khe other nine. That leaves ono theatre housing a serious modern play, and I doubt whether Mr. Terence Rattigan himself would claim that his Separate Tables is much more than a very shrewd piece of theatrical craftsmanship. The best way to preserve theatres. from the demolition squad—let alone to secure exemption from enter- tainment tax (for which Sir Alan Herbert and Mr. Tom O'Brien are still valiantly campaigning)—is to ensure that the theatre is taken seriously. And how can one take it seriously today?

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