New Play in Manhattan

Petticoat Influence has very little weight but is deft and amusing. With tongue well in cheek, it sets out to have a few quiet laughs at the British Foreign office, the vanity and complacence of the male, the intuitive cunning of the female.

Richard Chalfont (John Williams of One, Two, Three!) has all the qualifications for Colonial Secretary to a small island. He has lived there, knows the language and people, has written thick books about the place. In addition he has an admirable wife, charming, meek little Helen Hayes. But the Earl of Darnaway has already promised the job to one of his wife's relations, a gentleman of title, many debts, not much sense. Fortunately Miss Hayes discovers that the Countess of Darnaway has had an affair with her husband's aide. . . .

Miss Hayes did not attempt the Irish brogue when she appeared in her last show, the worthy but ill-starred Mr. Gilhooley. Again she deserves praise for not trying to put any English on her speech, although she is surrounded by a cast of excellent Britishers.

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