The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-03-25
SALTY COMEDY
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his record with the Admiral, prov
es his versatility.
Giesbert is usually seen in hgh-
ter parts but he handles this diff
cult role with competence and SIN
cerity. His concern for his palm
tree and indifference to the well
fare and comfort of his crew lead
to many of the comic as well as
some of the more dramatic situa-
tons in the play.
Drake Circle in the title role of
"Mr. Roberts," the conscientious
cargo officer who lives only for
the day when he will be transferr-
ed, off "this bucket" and whose
applications for transfer are al
ways diSapproved by the Captain,
appears before an audience for the
first time, and is a real "find" for
the Players.
He makes the audience feel his
Illustration at not being able to
take more active part in the war
and the scene where he bargains
with the Captain for liberty for the
crew is one of the best in the
play.
ToP-noteh Performance
Fred Taylor plays the part of
Ensign Pulver to the hilt and
turns in one of the best perform
anceS ever seen at the Barn. Rob
erts worries about him because he
never finishes anything he starts
- not even Gods Little Acre"
Pulver, officer in charge of laun-
dry and morale, is mostly con-
cerned with keeping out of the
Captains sight and with girls.
He inveigleS 1t. Girard, an Ar
my nurse, aboard the AK6O1 for
a drink of Scotch, only to have his
plans upset when the crew gets in
to an argument about whether or
not she is the lone with the birth
mark"
The whiskey, incidentally, was
concocted by Roberts, Pulver and
the Doc from alcohol with coke to
give it the right color, and iodine
and hair tonic to give it the right
taste. This was necessary because
Roberts had bribed the Port Direc
tor with their last bottle of "Red
Label"
Roger Gunderson; who is the
"Doc," tries to make Roberts un-
derStand, that boring as it is, duty
aboard the cargo ship is an i'm.
portant part of the over all con-
duct of the war. He is sort Of a
father confeSsor for the young Of
ficers and the crew, and frequent
ly acts as buffer between them
and the Captain. .Gunderson's per.
torrance is sympathetic and very
well done.
Liberty Problems
Some of the most hilarious situa-
tlonS In the play are the result of
the crews first liberty in months
and the audience was convulsed
with laughter when the Shore Pa
troll and M. P.'s make their re.
ports.
Insignia and Mannion, the ring
leaders of the crew are PLAYED nv
Andrew Schlanger and Richard
Bonham. They were completely at
ease In their roles, and their per
torrance is one of the highlights of
the production.
Richard Brooks as Dolan the
Captains yeoman, who cannot I'M.
derstand the sudden change in
Roberts, and Tim Hahne, as Chief
boSun Johnson, are unusually well
cast and handle their sometimes
difficult parts convincingly.
Virgil Osborne and Wesley OF.
son as Dowdy and Gerhart, and
John Clugstone as Lindstrom, Of
ten come up with amusing bits of
business" that add much to the
realism of the production, as does
Homer Keller, the NJ. P. who has
to report the actions of the crew
on liberty to Doc and Roberts.
Able Direction
Danny ChildS, who directed the