The Observer (with kind permission of the Guardian News and Media Ltd.)
Tonight's play at the Gaiety by the Repertory Players is "One of Us", by Mr Frank Howard, a comedy on the apparently never-failing theme of snobbery and the "right people". Its producer is Mr Edward Chapman, and it principals Mr Charles Mortimer, My Henry Hewitt, Mr Alban Blakelock, Miss Agnes Laughlon, Miss Grace Wilson and Miss Lydia Sherwood, newly returned to London after playing in the "Don Quixote" film with Chaliapin and Mr George Robey. From The Era of 18 January, 1933.
“ONE OF US” In spite of three old, thin, and scrappy, stories which are poorly mingled in order to make three acts where there should only be one act. I think that the latest Repertory Players' production is a possible West End success. It strikes me (writes H. B. M.) that present-day theatre audiences still like stories about young men returning home with a bride and shocking the family: the same bride later revealing a glorious identity, much to the joy of the family. The misunderstood “affaire” and struggles for social position are, I think, still popular. In this play these things are dealt with in an unruly sort of way, and lines deserving the name "wit" are few; but there are many lines which bring forth plenty of laughter (as Sunday night's audience the Gaiety proved), and for that reason, and the others I have given. I do not see why this play should not stand a chance in public. Lydia Sherwood, Jack Hawkins. Harry Wllcoxon (mls-cast as a middle-aged uncle), Agnes Lauchlan. and Charles Mortimer were the best in a rather self-conscious cast. |