New Play In Manhattan

Dancing Partner. The plot of Dancing Partner is the one in which a young and disillusioned rakehell wagers that he can avail himself of the favors of an allegedly virtuous maiden, then discovers that she is impregnable and falls in love with her. Shakespeare thought it such a good idea for a play that he used it in Cymbeline. Furbished up by Producer David Belasco, the play officially inaugurated the 1930-31 season and provided one interesting innovation: a seduction scene in an airplane, high above the clouds.

The piece itself was adapted with a heavy hand by Frederic & Fanny Hatton from the Hungarian of Alexander Engel and Alfred Grunwald. An impression is created that the adapters got a great deal of secret pleasure out of translating the play and must have been continually conscious that their task was somewhat naughty.

Lynne Overman takes the part of a dissolute but good-hearted Englishman, whose debts are paid by his uncle with the understanding that he is to marry Roxy Hartley (Irene Purcell), an eligible English girl. Mr. Overman accepts the bargain on one condition: if he can seduce Miss Purcell in one month, he is released from his obligation to his uncle. Whereupon, incognito, he engages himself as gigolo to Miss Purcell. But her bold and modern ways conceal inward purity. On the last day of the month they take an airplane ride over San Sebastian. During the ride Mr. Overman finds himself in love with his employer, refrains from attempting her ruin. What complications ensue during the following half hour are satisfactorily cleared up and the audience leaves the theatre happy in the knowledge that Roxy and her young man are soon to enter the holy state of matrimony together.

Actress Purcell is extremely vivacious and comely. Spectators, afforded ample opportunity to scrutinize, were reminded of Billie Burke. The resemblance is largely what caused Producer Belasco to hire her for this show.

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