Higgledy-Piggledy

Examiner of Plays' Summary:

As on the former occasion when they relaxed from serious plays this 'burlesque revue' of the commonwealth' company is much funnier than the ordinary comic production. Its interest, however, is largely domestic, so to speak, depending on a knowledge of personalities not possessed by an outsiders. The thing begins with the rehearsal of a sort of burlesque play 'futility', which is as kit on Mr Galsworthy in general. Clarence and Velveteena, married and unloving and wanting divorce, separate to seek for love. After an interval Velveteena returns with no result from her quest beyond the mistake of a policeman who misunderstood her motives. A telegram arrives from the censor banning the play. The company are delighted and it is resolved to turn it into a revue because 'the Censor may object to the theme in a serious play, but he'll pass anything in a Revue' (scene 1, p.21) I notice this most underserved quip, to which it would be humorous to object. What follows is a capital skit on the inanities of Revues, with their stupid characters and stock jokes, a burlesque of their own play 'No reflection on the wife' and some clever parodies of well-known singers' songs. It all ends with a satire - not so good - on the average audience. There is no harm anywhere in the piece.