Clean wit

Fry is likely to suffer excessively from our disappointment and in some measure he deserves to for so calculatingly (and illicitly) arousing our expectations. But this need not worry us overmucn. Fry's place has been quite definitely allotted ("neither innovating nor directive") so that dangerous confusion is not likely to result. We shouldn't therefore let such considerations stand too much in the way of enjoying his very minor but quite definite virtues. These virtues (an affecting exuberance, and in this play at least, numerous passages of very clear and clean and pleasing wit), are for the most part well exhibited in the production.

Rosemary Croome-Johnson, if a little repetitive in gesture (her Luka in Arms and The Man carries over into both parts to some degree), does speak verse with point, flexibility and a charming timbre. Ray Hen-wood I have already mentioned as an actor of considerable potential. Pat Evison is better in the part of the earthy servant Doto than in the Sartre and exudes a comic largesse which makes a firm base for the play's pinnacles of wit. The production has the requisite speed (slowness, the slightest drag, would be disaster here) and is generally quite adequate.

Apart from my reservation about the pairing the only complaint I have to make is that Downstage is getting a bit too crowded. From where I was I had to contort myself and suffer pins and needles, a sore bottom and other agonies to get an angled and at times non-existent view of proceedings. Perhaps this plea (echoed, I am sure, by many) might be taken to heart.

Dinner (if you are eating there) is this time very good. The double-bill runs until April 1 and is recommended.

B. F. Babington.