· Page 8 19
Is
THE CHINA, MAIL, SATURDAY, JUNE, 201059) |
The Theatre
Dead?
IF you had happened to
be in Pall Mall on a recent night at about 11 o'clock you would have seen the emergence from a famous Club of one hundred or so men deep in discussion. And oddly enough you would have seen them break up
London Letter
by SIR BEVERLEY BAXTER, M.P. H
#
FOR SOME KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES IS NOT
ENOL
Are you a social
climber?
[AVE you over wished that you had been born with a silver spoon. in your mouth? Felt that your particular gifts, talents, and charms would shine more successfully in a social strata one jump ahead of your own?
into little groups and same vitality, intelligence and And when the curtain went up continue their talk as if skill as in the flying theatre, they were carried away from And the result? It was almost their little world to falanda of reluctant to go home, embarrassing.
Imagination.
Aa for Stratford-on-Avon It's a short step from just wishing to doing somp- Also it you bad looked care An actor must move or else fully you would have seen he is no more than a politician which threatens to be known in thing about it. From poring over John Betjeran's among them famous personal or and of Madam Tussaud's Canada as that ofhor Stratford best-known poem to pruning your own speech of
endowed ties of the London stage, mixed wax-works
with the Memorial Thestre is pack words, phrases, and comments that are, socially.
from regretting your with a politiclan or two, and mechanically reproduced voice. ad to the gills even though many speaking, not quite the thing. men from the Provinces with An
Olivier's fascinating pligrima go there as a duty. Butawa past lack of opportunities to plazning an educa the unmistakable mannerisms of feline wife (Vivien Leigh) she look what the pilgrimange give ton for your son that will bring him into contact only the theatrical traternity.
was a problem to herself and you the lovely fiver Avon, and with what you euphemistically term "nice" people. to the lookers-in
TV wonderful theatre,, the quaint They had met in privato dine and to discuss the health of scrocky,
old town of Stratford plus the the living theatre not merely in
endless supply of Shakespeare relies manufactured, it is said, London but in the Provincex as well. And from the loquacity
in Birmingham, of the men emerging from the Club it was evident that the debate hind bonn a lively one.
The accepted legend in that the theatre is dying but, like Charles II, it is taking an up- conscionable time about it. Ever
for
01
the
The Angles
Why? The answer is quite simple. They moved like actors, They spoke like actors. And in the process they burst the seams of televisión decorum,
But these day one must clearly be careful to indiente which Stratford is meant. 1 understand that in the gathering at the Club in London, which mentioned at the beginning of It is true that the problem of this Letter, a West End im- since the "Flicker Pictures" movement on the T.V.. screen presario cfted Canada's Burat- burst upon the Entertainment did not effect such activities as ford as a mighty achievement world the theatre has fought a soccer 10otball and, for that gaveinspiration to the whole battle of survival. And when example, that annual sporting theatre world. I hope that the TV nsrived it www feared that slaughter of horses in what is ghost of Shakespeare walk the living drama would be re known as the Grand National sometimes As he words in duced to little more than • Steeplechase. But even then Canada's Stratford add glory to memory of past years.
we could only get the picture of the summer's night. One by one the theatres the horses at an angle sinco of London went down before even photographers do not want the ruthless axe of the de- to die before their time. As nolitionist. You will remem; for that solemn ritual knows 65 ber that a number of as gol cricket it is impossible for TV together to try to save that to create the cathedral atmo- most beautiful of sil theatres, sphere of the most solemn gamo સાં Janics'a while Vivien ever invented. Leigh risked imprisonment
in the Tower by making
protest
1:
отв- In the sacred
Let us now return to the
studio to carry out argument still further. I have contended cincts of the Hosige of Lords, that actors must move in the But it was of no avail.
TV production of a play unless they are to appear as mere
Down &
Out
cently. Yet there was re-
The Appeal
Though it is true that in London and in New York stelking there has been a revival in the theatre it does that not necesarily mean televizion will shrink tike faded
violet, In Britain the elimala gives charm to the fireside Jost me the winter that I experienced In Mont- real & for
weeks ago made my host's house.
+ haven By which I was most unwilling to desert.
on the BBC brilant Wildo Down and out went Stoll's, production of an Oscar Opera House built by Oscar play br which the actors hardly
The unchallengeable appeal Hammerstein's grandfather. The moved at all but merely spoke
that of television is its power to bring famous old Gaiety had already the classical nonsense of
stylist. the outstanding personalities of closed its door, and the Lyceum incomparable wit and
fnet remalt that the moment before the vast so Bui the where Henry Irving ruled
Leigh Jury of the people. No longer long declared: "The
is Gielgud, Olivier, Vivien Fest
and Sybl is a Prirac Minister silence. It was diMcult enough Italph Richardson
for the living theatre to sur Thorndike have faded out from vive the onslaught on the Alm the television hierarchy
but when TV came into being
It seemed certain that the
theatre could be little more than
a surviving memory,
Phenomenon.
merc
legend he is a demonstrable fact. Yet if he orated on the silver screen he would be faintly ridiculous. If Abraham Lincoln had delivered his Gettysburg Speech on TV it would have not survived the centuries. If Churchill had proclaimed on TV that we would aght on the beaches and in the hills it would have been a visual and vocal performance robbed of im- com mortality,
And then like the first rays of " rising SUN the surviving theatres in the Provinces began to experience a stendy increase of patrons. It was the Little Theatre movement that led the revival. The instinct of
No one can deny that tele- vision has won fla place. not merely as a medium of enter lalament and information, but as a companion. It has annihi- lated lonelines. It allows the human volca to break the panionship took them. nway silence of the empty house from their replaces and they saw the great actors of my time brings the peel, the poseur and mingled with their kind to en-
and felt that I was in the pre- the politician to ane's living joy the acting of real lesh and serce of immortality. Science
blood creatures. Theatres that with all its ingenuity
cannot, had closed down came to like the theatre, give us the man again.
himself.
room.
In fact as we studied this new era in entertainment it seemed evident that the living theatre would only survive in a melo- polis such as Parle, London, New York or Moscow. And even so the actors would be drawn away by the money bags to the silver screen of the cinema whenever the chance offered.
Gifted
And thes a strange thing happened. The suppliers of TV high class programmes in Britain had quite rightly planned to engage auch famous artists (A Laurence Olivier, Sir Cicloud and Vivien Leigh to bring ECFCETL
to
In London the same pheno- menon жда observed. Let
sive praise where li is due. and therefore I do not doubt that the impact of "My
131
In my youth in Toronto 1
The Truth
The truth is that television
Fair Lady" drew thousands despite its undoubted power
of people back to the theatre, to forestall the newspapers, Thero was the thrill of
plause, the brilliant
ou the vast slago of Lane, the roars of and above all that able thing known as audience
unity and audiance reaction. Only an expart can judge
play by seeing it performed in
In
opera
spot news is limited the danilor by
condensation of space which is forced on Drury
it by the silver screen. Langhter
It cannot undelin take the place of the theatre where the audience and the unity that drama demands. Nor players achieve the sesontal
can it give us grand which remains the vastness of Str an empty theatre, but the mass the stage and the compelling John enterency of an audience can
recognise genius or brilliance at surge of a great orchestra, drama the once. Television tries to meet give gratitude to television for Yot, let in all sincerity that paint by the medium of a
Its lively companionship, for its the mes stooge audience but the response gifted actor of our age, on actor is seldom genuine for the projection of political leaders at whose triumph in the living simple reason that the selected glimpse of swirling
moments of" crisis, 1cx Its theatre was brilliantly repeated audience is conscious that they players and thudding football hockey on the silver screen of the themselves are part of the show. cinoma. "Quote your own
slary. and for the intimate prico," sald the commercial What brought about the re- spectacle of Prime Minister television companies. Perhaps vival of the theatre In the Pro- Diefenbaker addressing the to his credit let it herewith be vincest Mankind Is a social spellbound crowds from the set down that Sir Laurence was animal and the herd instinct is
Str Lourence is
-to
a flop, a real, undeniable flop strong. Mrs Smith noticed in on TV
the theatre that Mrs Jones had
mountain top.
But the theatre is alive- long live the theatre! That is really, all that I intended to tell you in this letter from
Did he go above the intelli- a new hat. Mes Green gave gence of h #LABS audience? Mrs Brown all the nows about Not at all. He acted with the her, daughter's engagement. "London"-
Fly by luxurious
«first-class or tourist-
DC-6B Service.
And why not? Social climbing is a part of Eng land's history. Many of today's top people owe their position to some ancestor's judicious upward scramble from cottage to Court.
But, carried too far, with eyes too blatantly fixed on that room at the top; it becomes the most dregry bore imaginable. Who is not had to suffer, for. instance, the person who talks to you while this eyes comb the room over your shoulder to me if there is anyork more worthwhile around?
And how about you? Is Getting-On-In-Society for you a matter of complete indifference, a mild hobby, or a falon d'etre?
and the answer.
Answer these questions truthfully, and you will
1
are going out to You dianer. B long-Manding date, with an unexciting opuple of your acquain- tance. Buddenly the. tote- phane Eo it in A glamorous tvitation to "come and meet lots of fascinating people." Do JORI-
the dull (a) Ring up
couplo, wall that you smitien have been with flu-and go to the other party?
them, (b) Telephone
stumble through an embarrassed explana- tion of the truth-- and ask them to let you off?
(c) Refuse the exciting
invitation?
2 Would the presence of
your parnate in your house be an embarrass- ment to you if you had Important guests to enter- tertain?
(a) Yes. (b) No.
3 Do you try 'to Influence your children in the choice of their friends, steering them away from children of people who are of a lower social statum than yourself? · (a) Yes. (b) No.
4 lavo you ever
invited
someone to a party to in- press the other guests?
(a) Yes.
· (b) No.
CHESS
by LEONARD BARDEN
by ANNE
de COURCY
The Best Children,
of course, should play only with
the Best Children.
5 When addressing an enve- 10 lope to yourself, how do
you wille your name?
(a) ir J. Smith.
(b) J, Smith, Esq.
(c) J. Smith,
6 (For men): You have just
won a sweep,
first thought (a) Now
Is Your 11
I can pay of the mortgage on my house?
(b) Now I can buy
weekend cottage as well!
(c) Now I can, move to a
better district?
6 (For woman);
Would you rather have;-mo (a). One small but real string of pearls?
(b) Plenty of eye-catching
fake onest
12
J
(e) Good cultured pearls? 13 Has the thought of hyphenating your name ever occurred to you? (a). Yes.
(b) No.
Do you disapprove of non-
Regular officers who use 16 wartime rank of major And above in civilian Ufo? (a) Yes.
(b) No.
When faced with a charity subscription request, does 17 the question of whether the let of donations is to be made public how much you - giust (a) Yes. (b) No.
*ffect
Have you over spoken of
a well-known porsad
if you know him better
than you really did7 (a) Yes.
(b) No.
What do you think decides
one's position in society: (a) One's schooling? (b) One's speech?
(c) One's parents?
(d) One's Incomat (e) One's job?
8 When arranging your 14 Which of these circum-
Christmas cards on your mantelpiece do you put thome from importans so- quaintances in the most prominent posiłem?
Yes.
(b) No.
9 If you had your bows in
'your car, and you m 4.
friend who had failed to 15. "get on": would you (a) Stop and give him a
(b) Drive on, pretending you hadn't seen him?
stances would you see as the biggest objection to Your daughter marrying:-- (a) If he was too poor
to keep her.... (b) If he was too young, (c) If you thought he belonged to a lower social class,
Do you admit to watching popular shows on tele- vision in front of luffuen- tial friendat (a) Yes, (b) No.
CURIOUS CHARACTERS: NO. 5
THE STRANGE ADVENTURES
OF SQUIRE MYTTON
Here is a problem by A SQUIRE MYTTON always ran and leaped. He
Sonnenfeld (3.0.F 1956). White mates in two.
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seldom walked normally.
He wore only the thinnast Though much
Which of the following 18 How many of the books on
would you my gives you
the
best Indication of
Apmeone's personality
(a) His clothes?
(b) His behaviour?
(c) IHis voice?
At a party do you?-
(a) Go and talk to the most distinguished 640$17
19
(b) Go to someone you
know well?
20
(c) Speak to someone who
is a complete
stranger?
your shelves have rou
read?
(a) Most of them,
(b) About half.
(e) Hardly any.
Have you known most of
your friendszer.
(a) Over 10 years?.
(b) Over five years? (c) Less than Ave years? Have you ever told a lle to glamorise your past?
(a) Yes,
(b) No.
NOW CHECK YOUR RATING.
First, your score:-
1. 0:3, 6-2, c=i,
2. am3, bm1.
3. α=1, d=1.
4.
3, Day,
5.
m2, m3, 0m).
661) b=2, cm3,
#3, bal, c=2.
7. a3, b=1.
8., 1.
9. aml, bod,
10k ¤m1, b=3;.
11. a, b.
12. a3, mi
friends--but everyono scrambles
for an Invllation to your partios. Tako cate you, don't marry
in someone who,
your pwik "become drag on me"-pick a partner as ambitious socially as your
words, will Inter
malf
30 › To su: --You are far from being a social climber-but you
certainly don't want to
drop
down, the scale, either..
More
than likely, you have an estab- itshed position
already, and
13. Ke-2, bm2, Cui, dm3, em3. don't teźl any need to struggle
16 -2, bý, Car3. 15. 1, ban
10., bl, Cr=3. 17, 0=3, b=1, C=1. 18, 0=1, 02, 0=3. 10. Gal, baš, Om3. 20, 0–3, d=1.
Now add up your score, “
further. You
are the type whose social ambitions aro
mainly for your children--you want them to have every chance to meet the right people who, can give them à leg up),
UNDER 80: You are com pletely, happy me you' are, You have no ̈urgo-to change,' your 45 AND OVER: You are • status in die In your con- real, vintage, classic example versative way you may: of the man" (or woman), deter- "What's good enough for mu mined to rise and shina in parents for the neighbours).
More society. No doubt you polished good enought, for me.” teacher's apple when you were, than likely, you are happy a9.2 in kindergarten. Now you sro - sandboy-bul“ take care your the one who holds open the children don't turn round "and, door for the boss when he gr• say: "Why do we lead such “a rives at this offer. You probe dull Uje?" AGE ably
haven't got many real ~~~(London :Express Service);"
JACOBY BRIDGE
alone, the FAKE a look at all four hands of garments (often, just a pair Squire entertained lavishly, and
so if you can figure of breeches), and ran and He turged up at one of his how South managed to go down Jeaped in all weather. It was banquets riding on the back at his three no-trump contract. strange, therefore, .. that he of bear. „Tho' guçats, were should have 382 suiteall panic-stricken. The bear was I will give you one hint: South carefully brushed and folded furious. It bit the Squire in was a very good player and daily--in bis collar.
the leg.
really did not play the hand, Shooting was his hobby. On Then the Squire took up badly, winter nights, he would leap Another strange, peruma, our Weat opened the hire of dia
bed, selep his gun in his gig, he would suddenly monda. South went up with the and, with a loud trinting cry, drivo his horge hard at the king in dummy, led a club to his second: clich, to tear out into the frozen falde, negrest wall to sou what would pee and a clact only in a zṣightabbet. happen. By some miracle he dummy's king: West discarded as
escaped injury.
the deuce of dimmends A third" club lost to East's queen and this tiose West dropped the. deuce at'hoRIŤ. :
from his
TARGET
ER
ON
Violent
One night, he was seized with a violent attack of hiccoughs. So he lit a candle, shouting, #1411 frighten them away!", and sat die, to his nightshiri, Badly burnt, he staggered into · best, lept, and awole, haki morning with ashuning cry, as proof of Juošinity: from paki..
Mothing | Alviton was a rich
IRD,Serwert
WAST
KAST
SAJ86
#9872
2
QJ10
SOUTH (D)
WAGE
A743
No one vulnerable
South West North INT. PA INT, Pass
Opening lead-# 9
PA
Now Bast led the queen of poi spades and South had to mako'ni 19444/doclaloo. You" noo", all: the carda Beerand woukt-play the king › but Solith, could not jeli what - that Slated; queen of spades indicatodella - He finally decided that "Badt
to get had led the queen from queens Tamjaoksnine-ampli: and that if he Satelite put up thekling West, would take he spound load latapadó back for four-made izigks". Bộ rung, South played low, on the queen. Pin Now?alamanal space, sagt: Led "and" "Bouth busto ráom : Douk words: tucks and his contract.