Teatore

Lewis Galantiere, who when he isn’t translating books from the French for American publishers, spends his time working in a bank, evidently found a few moments to spare and together with John Houserman turned out a light very Franco-English farce called “And Be My Love”, which opened inauspiciously at the Ritz.

Both of these authors know how to turn a light and clever line but the trouble is that they turn so many of them that after a time the lines never sound very light or very clever. Nevertheless, the little piece in question can be classified as entertainment but unforunately it is one of those things that, if you don’t see it, you will not have missed very much.

It is all about a rtherplesant bachelor whose intentions concerning the ladeis are always of the very worst. It is intimated in no uncertain terms, that this little fellow (a five foot-four Casanova) was unsuually successful with the ladies. The authors expect you to believe thar his indoor athletie ability is predicated on his ability to talk the ladies into forgetting their vitue but after listening to him through most of the evening yu begin to wonder whether very much tlking was really needed for our villain to accomplish his dire purose.

Like all play viliains, ours gets himself into a mess. He falls in love with the niece of his best friend but cannot resist the temptation of philandering with this same freind’s wife. All is discovered and all is then awry. When this stuation i finaly soved the play is over.

Lily Cahill plays the part of the friend’s wife and renee. Gadd, the niece. Barry Jones is the demon of the boudoir and goes through his paces wisth skill and aplomb.

Before “And Be Love” reached New York it travelled extensively. Written in New York its first production took place in London and from there it was sent to Canada and by easy stages finally reached the Ritz. It acted as thoug it had been on a long tedious trip and was prty tired of it all.