THE THEATRE
MISS ENID BAGNOLD has constructed out of her novel a very good piece of theatre. It is perhaps a little slow in starting, for the first
two scenes might have been made more interesting by the author ; but Sybil Thorndike creates a certain atmosphere of suspense and then Ann Todd presents such a vivid, unforgettable portrait of a
restless, ambitious girl, intensely conscious of histrionic power, and by sheer vitality dominating everyone around her that we are com- pletely held through the slow-moving first act. In the second act a note of brilliant comedy is added by Bruce Winston's inimitable performance as the producer who accepts Lottie in place of his missing understudy.
Lottie is the daughter of an unsuccessful actor who is in an asylum as a homicidal maniac, but her grandfather was a great actor, and she has inherited his temperament and his genius. I do not believe in Miss Bagnold's actress heroine, although I admit that she has presented some of the psychological traits of a young woman of such genius with considerable insight ; but in spite of the homicidal father and the ingenious and plausible way in which the author leads up to the murder of the returned understudy by Lottie, I do not feel that it would have happened. What is convincing, however, is Ann Todd's superb performance as Lorne. This is something not to be missed by theatre-goers, for her performance approaches near perfection from beginning to end. We cease to bother whether this or that incident in the play would or would not have actually occurred, because Miss Todd gives us the authentic personality of a vivid, self-dedicated genius, a wonderful phenomenon of irres:stible power—one of those rare beings who may bring havoc to the people around them, but also bring colour and grandeur into their lives. After such a vivid experience at the Vaudeville, the playgoer will do well to take refresh,nent and relaxation at the Winter Garden, where jack Buchanan provides a witty, light entertainment in his new musical show. There is a great deal of dancing, quite excellent fooling by Fred Emney, plenty of enjoyable singing by Elsie Randolph and others and, above all, the inimitable charm and light- heartedness of Jack Buchanan himself, who does astonishing things with an ease and grace that makes them seem trifles light as air.
JAMES REDFERN.
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