Since "Ring Round the Moon" was written by the distinguished French playwright Jean Anouilh and translated by the distinguished English playwright Christopher Fry, it is only logical to suppose that it would be a completely satisfying play. The theatre, however, often peversely delights in confounding logic. "Ring Round the Moon" has more brilliant scenes, wittier dialogue, and greater thought than most plays, but there is something lacking.

The fault decidedly does not lie in the acting. Denholm Elliott plays two parts well--twins of opposite temperament, living in Auvergne, France, in 1912. Frederic, who has all the humanity that his brother Hugo lacks, is in love with a beautiful young heiress, but the heiress loves Hugo. Hugo brings a poor young ballerina to a ball to distract his twin from the heiress, and her presence there gives the plot much of the flavor of Shaw's "Pygmalion." Neva Patterson is not only gorgeous as the heiress, but she plays the part with splendid clairty and effectiveness. Stella Andrews makes the ballrina a gentle, sympathetic personality.

Vastly amusing are Lucile Watson and Oscar Karlweis. Miss Watson plays the aunt of Hugo and Frederic in a gently caustic manner; Karlweis is magnificent as a melancholy millionaire who eventually tries to give away his money. In spite of all these excellent performances, and those by the remainder of the cast, there are scenes in "Ring Round the Moon" that drag. Most of these are in the first act, which is almost entirely exposition. This very slow first act has to be remedied before the play can hold constant interest.

"Ring Round the Moon" contains a number of brilliant scenes, but they are dragged down by uninspired writing in other places. It is hard to say whether the fault is Anouilh's or Fry's; perhaps, since the play is a London success, the "fault" is merely the difference of taste on this side of the Atlantic. Gilbert Miller has provided an uncommonly beautiful production. Georges Wakevitch's garden setting is handsome; Raymond Sovey's lighting makes it respond fully to the action. Raoul Dufy has contributed six "mood" curtains, and Francis Poulene has contemplated the play with background music. The shortcomings of the comedy are not the result of economizing. Although "Ring Round the Moon" is not as perfect a bit of entertainment as had been hoped, it is still a fine evening of enjoyment.