THE PLAYGOER

Just why G. B. Shaw picked "Pygmalion" from his sheaf of plays for revival last year as a movie, the world may never know. We can only be glad that he picked something, and hope that he will continue. "Pygmalion" seems to have a certain timeless formula for a hit show--a beautiful girl, a bit of philosophizing, and liberal seasoning of wit.

At the Copley this week Boston's indefatigable stock company has given us s chance to see the play just as Shaw wrote it, stripped of the glitter of Leslie Howard's virtuoso film performance. The result is an interesting commentary on the claim Shaw makes of being a great playwright. While the main elements of the plot will always be good theatre, there is more than an indication that the social satire he weaves into his plays will have to be freely adapted for every succeeding decade. And yet, even if Shakespeare played straight straight may be timeless, Shaw in any form will never cease to be lots of fun.