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| Alun Lewis, Jeremy James-Taylor, Gavin Reed, Ian Charleson. |
FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS [Dramatic Revival] A: Terence Rattigan;
D: Frank Dunlop; DS: Carl Toms; L: David Watson; P: National Theatre of Great
Britain, presented by the Brooklyn Academy of Music i/aw/ Brooklyn College, in
the Young Vic Production; T: Brooklyn Academy of Music (OB); 3/15/74-3/31/74
(8)
Terence Rattigan’s delicate British drawing room comedy of
1936 is set near a beach in the warm, paradise-like environs of the South of
France, where young English aristocrats are cramming for their diplomatic corps
exams. Its revival was the product of England’s Young Vic company, which
arrived on these shores with a repertory including The Taming of the Shrew and Scapino.
Rattigan’s theatrical soufflé was not as successful as the
others, Edith Oliver finding “it pretty remote and wispy.” Clive Barnes thought
it pleasant enough,” but somewhat “too hearty, jolly and theatrical,” inferior to
similar plays by Noel Coward, and not worth the Young Vic’s effort.
Barnes was fond of the performances and staging, though,
calling the production “delicious.” He described how the “artificiality” of the
writing was stressed by director Frank Dunlop’s touch. Oliver, however, did not
think the company up to the stylistic demands and considered the results “disappointing.”
Cast members included Ian Charleson, Gavin Reed, and Jenny Austen, among
others.
