It may seem a bit expansive to say that "The Lady's Not For Burning" is as completely witty, brilliant, and captivating as those who saw it in London claimed. Not only is it true, but Christopher Fry's play is probably more literate than any play that will open for quite a while; of course, Fry's forthcoming "Ring 'Round the Moon" may prove an exception.

The hero of Fry's romantic comedy is a Thomas Mendip, played by John Gielgud. Mendip, a discharged soldier of 15th century England, is fed up with the stupidity of mankind and the dreariness of existence. he barges into the home of the Mayer of Cool Clary one April afternoon, and asks to be hanged. This unprecedented request is ignored by the mayor, whose credo throughout the entire play is "everything will be taken case of at the proper time."

Pamela Brown plays Jennet Jourdemayne, a girl accused of witchcraft, ho seeks shelter from an angry mob in the mayor's home. Although Mendip is reluctant to admit it, he is immediately charmed by the dishevelled young woman. Thus Fry has created a situation fertile for high comedy--the conflict of a man who says he wants to die and a girl who would rather not. The situation is treated in an unusual combination of earthy humor and poetic fancy.

Fry is a playwright who loves darkly the denotation, the connotation, and the sound of his words. "Tedium, tedium. . . tee-de-um, tee-de-um," Gielgud muses, and there can be no doubt about what he means and how he feels. Fry makes exuberant use of images, such as this description of a shooting star; "an excess of phlegm in the solar system coursing toward a heavenly spittoon." As Mendip himself says, "what a wonderful thing is metaphor!"

Gielgud gives Fry's magnificent epigrams a rich musical speech that assures the author's full expression. His acting clearly describes Mendip's changing, subtle emotions and thoughts. Equally eloquent is Pamela Brown, whose warm voice and polished, direct acting bring Jennet Jourdemayne to life.

For the most part the other characters are earthbound creatures who cannot escapee society's rules. Outstanding in their roles are George Howe, Eliot Makcham, and Peter bull, as the Mayor, the Chaplain, and the Justice of Cool Clary. Esme Percy steals a brief scene when he appears as a drunken psalm-singing ragman. The other players are consistently fine. Much of the credit for the smooth and well-paced performance goes to Gielgud, who direced. Oliver Messel's scenery and costumes are wisely simple and unobtrusive.

Without any doubt "The Lady's Not For Burning" is the product of a fresh, uninhibited, and exceedingly clever mind. The play is fascinating comedy of the purest sort.