Pacifist

Juliet objects, Juliet is pacified, Jacko gets everyone involved in a cabinet-making scheme and Bernie leaves work. After three weeks all seems to have failed—the buyer (Ken Blackburn) realises none of them is competent but after an eloquent speech from Big, Maxie gives them a contract. Juliet becomes enthusiastic.

After three months Bernie has had enough and becomes a middle man in the woodwork business (a kiwi, briefly [unclear: borne] has come to ground).

Everyone else leaves to embark on a new adventure and Bernie and Juliet are left with the knowledge that they, like New Zealand, can only offer a shelter for the oddities and lost souls in the world

Plenty of stuff here for comedy and plenty for farce. Some of it works—especially the scene where they try to con the buyer, It's the funniest thing I've seen at Downstage for months.

But the success of the production is really due to the cast Grant Tilly as Jacko, Charles Walker as Big Maxie, and Mollie Parton and John Gordon as Bellpush and Apus (the Hungarian refugees) all deliver superb performances.

Don Farr and Ken Blackburn as the kiwis of the piece neatly balance the cast. Carole Eliott as mute Ruby Goalen deserves mention for her excellent characterisation.

The set is nothing startling and the lighting is irritatingly static. Mrs. Eliott's costumes are a delight.

Birds in the Wilderness is worth seeing for the comedy of the first two acts and the fine performances throughout. Thank you Mr. Mason.

Unfortunately I can find nothing pleasant to say about the previous Downstage production—the double bill Sponge Room and Squat Betty.

I cannot remember laughing and was thoroughly bored. Tim Elliott, Joanna Derrie and Tony Grosser all gave uninspired performances in what I can only label as a dismal flop.