Trial by Jury

Until last night, the absence of D'Oyly Carte had made 1949 a pretty cheerless spring for this Gilbert and Sullivan fan. But some devoted enthusiasts at Winthrop House and Radcliffe thought the situation intolerable, and under the direction of Sam Wilson, they have set it right with a rollicking presentation of "Trial by Jury."

Arthur Shercliff, the producer, started the evening with an apology for not being Sir Rupert himself. This was a bad beginning. Everyone feels awe-struck by the achievements of that great man, but most expressions of humility are more justified than they were last night.

The chorus must first be praised for its sincerity. More substantial representatives of the British race I never saw, enlightened men all who will see that justice is done. The Defendant, Dan McCook, is a horrid fellow, a real dandy, and the Jury again deserves credit for reading their newspapers rather than listening to his fine voice. The poor, dear Angelina of Joan Dexter is positively radiant in spite of the beastly treatment she has undergone. And though his law's a fudge, justice is competently and wisely apportioned by Judge Arthur Shercliff. So impressed, in fact, was the public with the outcome of the "Trial" that I think they would have stayed through it all over again had the Judge been able to sit up there all day.

A fistfull of fillers start the program. They vary in merit, but "Mauve and Burgundy" from "The Safe Crackers," Jim Perrin's able singing of "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes" and "A Wandering Minstrel I," and the Trio, "If you go in," from "Iolanthe," make it worthwhile to arrive tonight for the first half of the fare.