l’Enfant Prodigue at the Westminster

The Times, 1934

This performance of L’Enfant Prodigue at the Westminster Theatre, London was a fund-raiser for the Institute of Mime. The reviewer opens the article with the following comment “One of the more obvious duties of the Institute of Mime is at frequent intervals to refresh our memories of L’Enfant Prodigue, which can fairly be said to mark the summit of traditional mimetic art; and the performance given at the Westminster Theatre last night will serve very well as a model of how the obligation should be met. It was carefully produced and skillfully acted.” (I am guessing that Irene Mawer was the producer.)

The author of the article praised the two lead performers (Miss Mawer as Pierrot and Miss Ginner as Pierrot’s father). “Technically the rest of the cast were on a slightly lower level, but given the accomplished principals L’Enfant Prodigue in some measure plays itself.”

Other performers included Miss Mary Waterman who “…caught something of the frolic spirit of Phrynette…” and Mr Charles Gordon as the amorous Baron.

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As many of you will know, I have spent the last 5 years researching and writing about Irene Mawer.  Hopefully, early in 2025 I will be publishing the biography.  This end-note is just to introduce you to Kickstarter, which is the method I will be using to launch my book.  The biography will be on sale in different formats, and you will be able to choose your favourite format and pre-order on Kickstarter.  I have joined in with other people’s projects, and I am looking forward to setting up my own.  See you there!