Heather Poirot - Thirteen at Dinner - [ON HOLD]

Chapter Two - A Theatrical Performance -

A Theatrical Performance... Uncle Arthur's idea for a chapter title. I never was good at titles. He used it in his book, and as I felt it fit best, I decided to use it in mine.

Carlotta Adams was an American girl, very talented at imitations and the like. It was her we saw play. She was really wonderful, her face seeming to suddenly dissolve from her own into that of another, without the use of cosmetics.

It was one of the last impressions that was so important in this particular case of Father's. She impersonated an American actress named Jane Wilkinson. It was very clever, and even I appreciated it, though I was meerly a teenager. I have no idea how Miss Adams managed to do it.

I, like my father, agreed that the actress in question was indeed beautiful, but was really no actress. She had talent, but the play must be written for her, around her. She could never play a supporting role. Uncle Arthur, on the other hand, believed that she was an amazing actress.

Uncle Arthur later told me that just before he learned that Jane Wilkinson was there, he had been wondering how the person in question would feel if they knew they were being impersonated. He told me that he wouldn't like it. I expressed my opinion that if that scenario had ever been about Father, he would probably go up onto the stage and correct the one doing the impersonation. When Uncle Arthur asked me how I would feel, I said that I really didn't know. You can't really, until you are put in such a situation.

Apparently this actress that was so admired by my father's dear friend sat behind him as he was coming to his conclusions. What a shock it must have been for him to hear that husky laugh as the American proved his deductions wrong before he had even voiced them.

Behind me, however, was an actor I found of much more interest to me than the Lady Edgware. Bryan Martin, with the face of a Greek god, had been very popular on the screen lately.

"Marvellous, isn't she?" laughed Lady Edgware - Jane Wilkinson.

Bryan Martin laughed as well.

"Jane - you look all excited."

"Well, she really is too wonderful! Heaps better than I thought she'd be."

As Carlotta Adams was beginning another impression then, neither I or Uncle Arthur caught the actor's amused response.

Afterward, Father, Uncle Arthur, and I went to the Savoy for supper. Oddly enough, at the next table sat the very actor and actress that had been behind us at the theater. Uncle Arthur pointed them out to Father as another couple walked past and took the next table beyond that of Lady Edgware's. I nearly laughed at the perplexed look on Uncle Arthur's face as he tried to remember where he had seen the lady before. The lady was Carlotta Adams.

I said nothing as Uncle Arthur told Father his thoughts about Carlotta Adams - that she had a 'moblie, sensitive face that could easily take on an alien characteristic but had no very recognizable character of its own'. I privately agreed.

"So that is Lady Edgware?" said my father, egg-shaped head tilted slightly to one side as it always was. "Yes I remember - I have seen her in the act. She is belle femme."

"And a fine actress too."

"Possibly."

"You don't seem convinced."

"I think it would depend on the setting, my friend. If she is the centre of the play, if all revolves around her - yes, then she could play her part. I doubt if she could play a small part adequately, or even what is called a character part. The play must be written about her and for her. She appears to me the of type of women who are interested only in themselves. What is your thought, Heather?"