Tit EATRE

STARTING on Monday, the Habimah Theatre Company from Israel moves into the Aldwych as the fourth of the • five companies to contribute to the World Theatre Season, The Actors Studio Theatre from New York will end the season, The Habimah company, Last seen in London in 1937 is to present one of the most famous of all Jewish plays The Dybbuk by Salomon Anski. The particular production London will see has been preserved by succeeding generations of actors, down to every detail of gesture and make-up.
This, and indeed all the productions during this admirable Aldwych season, is intended for true lovers of the theatre. The aim of the season is to show London audiences the work of the outstanding companies of the world, presenting their own plays in their own national language.
The gratifying thing to this critic—and I believe to the sponsors of this season—is the fact that night after night the Aldwych is filled with people who are prepared to follow the dialogue of plays on simultaneous translation devices (which regrettably are not quite simultaneous) and never quite to understand some of the nuances of production. in order that they might widen their theatrical experience,
Many of these plays have not entertained. in the usual sense, but they have demonstrated new production and acting styles to audiences who have perhaps grown tired of recent trends in our own theatres.
There are, of course, exceptions among the local offerings. The current season of "plays in repertoire" at the Mermaid —especially the Wakefield Plays--has set a magnificent high standard and has restored my faith in the Mermaid directors.
Return Ticket at the Duchess also has its moments of good fun. Joyce Grenfell at the Queen's continues to be—well, Joyce Grenfell---and that is enough to ensure for a time at least that there will be business at that box office. Tennessee Williams' Night of the Iguana (Savoy) is not to everyone's taste but for brilliant dialogue and outstanding acting is worth a visit.