THE THEATRE
"The Devil's Disciple." At the Piccadilly Theatre.
Ms. SHAW'S self-styled melodrama has recently been seen at Buxton and elsewhere under the aegis of the Old Vic. Its appear- ance in London, in a different production, makes a welcome change from the farces which the managers—and also, one must admit, the audiences—seem to think the proper fare for war- time; and it was gratifying to find on the second night, which pro- verbially lacks glamour, that the public will turn out in equally enthusiastic force for a play of ideas (however well-worn) ex- pressed with clarity and wit (however familiar).
There is, of course, a certain spice and aptness in the political background of The Devil's 'Disciple, in these latter days, when poor Britannia has become so dependent on her once rebellious daughter. Still more to the point, and to the audience's liking, is General Burgoyne's attitude to politicians, Brass Hats and the War Office. In a situation reminiscent of Dunkirk he asks the thick-headed Major Swindon : "And will you wipe out our enemies in London, too? "—" In London! " says Swindon, eyes scaled like any Gamelin; "what enemies? "—" Jobbery and snob- bery, incompetence and Red Tape," replies Burgoyne, stealing the cross-hea-ls from Cato's next leading article and bringing the house down.
This topicality may well have prompted the choice of The Devil's Disciple for revival at the present time. But the London public, always glad to see Mr. Shaw, is in this case quite as much interested in the "personal appearance" (as the bills ridiculously call it) of an actor fresh from a series of cinematic triumphs : and as a vehicle for Mr. Robert Donat the character of Dick Dudgeon is a disappointing selection. One's chief apprehension about a film actor on the stage is on the score of. subtlety. But Dudgeon is a very unsubtle part, as usually produced (though it would be interesting to see what a dose of sensibility would do to it), and Mr. M:lton Rosmer has kept to the usual reading. Mr. Donat gives indeed an agreeable performance; ruffling it among the neigh- bours, an engaging frankness with silly Judith, homespun philo- sopher in court; but it is no more than any competent and attrac- tive actor could do with one hand tied. His quality remains to be discovered, for the West End at least, by a part which will really extend him.
Mr. Rosrner himself plays Burgoyne with accomplished suavity: lacking only the snuff-box to complete his resemblance to the silhouette of Edward Gibbon. He brings to an exquisite part the lightness with which he has managed to inspire the whole pro- duction—something of the dry sparkle of high comedy redeeming the touches of fustian in Mr. Shaw's fabric. In this laudable interpretation he is admirably supported by Mr. Roger Livesey, who, always a most likeable actor, outdoes himself as the Minister and manages to make that dreary bore not only a human being but a quite engaging one.
JOHN CARTER.
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