PRESS CUTTINGS:
THE ARBITRATION (1946)
[THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY TIMES, 16 February 1946]
Questors Go Back to 300 BC
Grecian Theatrical Revival at Ealing
Humour, like tragedy, is ageless in its appeal, and Menander's astute pleasantries, as translated and conjecturally completed by Sir Gilbert Murray, were appreciated by audiences crowding The Questors Theatre, Ealing, as much as, judging from all accounts, they were in the old Grecian theatre of 300 BC. The pleasantries. moreover, are coupled with and set off here and there by chords of deeper import, as in the plaint of Callisto, the bear-maiden, and in the peroration of Sophrone, the old Athenian nurse, for Menander, besides being a humourist, was a shrewd judge of human character.
The Questors' choice of play was The Arbitration.
Although the setting, designed and painted by Mr. Ernest Ives, with its apron stage and two additional exits, and the costumes, designed by Mrs. Marjorie Ives and pleasing to the eye in both colour and contour, lent appropriate support to the production, which was in the hands of Miss Barbara Hutchins, it was the acting that was of supreme importance. Here top-score honours were easily won by Mr. Tom W. Franklin, for whom the part of Onesimus, the humorous philosophic, crafty slave, seemed to have been expressly written, so perfectly did he fit into it, and so aptly did facial expression, actions and lines synchronize. He was the star performer.
Next in successful character delineation came Mr. Albert Hooper as Smicrines, the irascible, much-tried parent of Pamphile, and Miss Sheila Gosling's impressive Sophrone. Simias was played with ease and dignity by Mr F W Smith and Mr John MacGregor's Charisius was pleasant and natural. The role of Chaerestratus was taken by Mr Peter Curtis, a new and promising member of the cast. Miss Lona Halkett, another new member, appearing in the principal female role of Habrotnon, the slave-girl harpist, has a melodious voice, but rather spoiled her part by being too modern. Miss Jean McConnell, yet another newcomer, was more in keeping with the ancient times in her role of Pamphile, the wife and mother.
Others in the large cast deserving of special mention were Miss Mary Hills as Callisto, who recited the Prologue, Mr Maurice Ballinger, in the part of Syriscus, the charcoal burner, and Miss Joan Pyle, as his mute wife whose courage in devouring a raw leek (or was it celery disguised?) and seeming to enjoy the ordeal was highly commendable.
Additional Performances will be given this evening and on Monday evening, with a matinee tomorrow, and there will be a discussion on the play and performance next Tuesday evening.