In
a First-Class Cabin at Sea
The
third presentation in the nine-week season of TV Stars at Leeds
Grand was the première “Wanted on Voyage”, a sophisticated
comedy by Jacques Deval adapted by Beverley Crosse. This proved
particularly attractive because it introduces two popular young
artists in June Laverick of “The Dickie Henderson Show” and
Desmond Carrington, Dr. Chris Anderson in “Emergency Ward 10”
In fact it attracted the largest, merriest and most enthusiastic
first night audience so far.
The
action of the play takes place throughout in a first-class cabin in
the Queen Elisabeth on a
voyage between Southampton
and New York and is concerned with the antics of a scheming little
minx of a passenger and a young gay philander of a stowaway –
who has parted with £50 to a steward. Due to a last minute before sailing
arrangement of the cabin accommodation, these two
“gold-diggers” come together and in spite of the calls paid on
the young lady by a very attractive purser, steward and stewardess
they are never separated, although the young man seems to spend a
good deal of his time hiding under the bed, in the bathroom, or in
a cabin trunk. The young man is chasing the daughter of an
American millionaire, and the girl is out to catch a half-wit of a
tycoon.
The eccentric behaviour, antics and escapades of this
strange quartet provides a joyous evening.
June Laverick weaves and wins her way through a plot of
slick and swift moving complications. Desmond Carrington oft times
tousled and dishevelled sees her through. Peter Gilmore as the
crazy tycoon and Anna Middleton as the millionaire’s daughter
are just what you might expect – and more – of rich Americans.
Lockwood West is the dignified and attentive purser and David
Crosse, Diana MacMahon, Marjorie Moss, Trevor Bowen and Patricia
Marshall all adequately play small parts.
The comedy is brilliantly directed by Gillian Howell
and the cabin setting is elegantly designed by Hutchinson Scott.
©
The Stage and Television Today
9 July 1964
Theatre 60s
Theatre
Copyright DiMar