Show i I I III til r 1 DRAMA i I I Ia f In a HI I Playhouse As we tooled down the aisle the thought came to me like the corning coming corn com com j ing ing of f dawn gee what a swell I Iwo wo world ld In keeping with my trend of reason reason the Metropolitan Players gave the snappiest piece of work of the season To My notion The Big Pond stands head and shoulders above anything done during the currant year All this because it gives the players a chance to spit pardon t the e French on their hands and go right Fight ight to work The cast is small and God b be praised fails to provide provide provide pro pro- vide a part for the second assistant orphan nephew This only bears out my contention that clever clever clev clev- er r comedy can be presented without without with with- C out the usual garbage of white- white haired mothers into whose arms strong but silent misunderstood young oung men may creep just before the second act curtain Continuing pardon the interruption tion The Big Pond combines lines and action in such a way that before I knew it the first act had run for an hour and I hadn't even squirmed Now a long first act that can keep me from squirming is one I of the finest pieces of Gods God's handi- handi work The action n centers centers' around around a ayoung ayoung ayoung young heiress who falls in love with an impoverished French nobleman noble noble- man The girl Miss George has the presence of mind to use he dome to the best advantage and andas as a result the whole mess is un un- un- un raveled Ben Erwa Erway as Pierre does himself proud The part of the f father th r falls to Norman Feusier who is is' ismy my idea of ofa a father in a big way To Mr Feusier I doff my tall kelly as asan asan an artist who can cons rise to occasion and when the opportunity opportunity opportunity presents itself has the ability ability ability abil abil- ity to throw a a role over his shoulder shoulder shoulder der work on it and toss it prostrate prostrate pros pros- prostrate to an audience that knows It has been played to Without a doubt much credit Is due due to Ralph Lee whose directing is responsible for the reserve of the minor players and for this fact I am exceedingly grateful The only thing that almost spoiled spoil spoil- ed the evening was the rumor that Gladys George is to retire from the stage If this is true it will hack a huge hole in the old palpitating cardiac but really I must investigate investigate investigate gate so will have more on this next week SN |