II, Theaterstücke 25, Professor Bernhardi. Komödie in fünf Akten (Ärztestück, Junggesellenstück), Seite 690

box 31/5
25. ProfessenBernhand

EXTRAOT FROM
DAILY EXPRESS,
Fleet Street, E.C.4.
15 001 1956
Date —
By the theatre reporter
First night
Twenty men monopolise
this problem play
of modern Vienna
Play: Professor Bernhardi. Theatre: Pheenix.
Author: Arthur Schnitzler. Producer: Heinrich Schnitzler.
ONE might be forgiven for raising the eyebrows, giving a quick
look heavenwards and making use of that gloriously vague
phrase, It all goes to show ..“ little things lead to big things
and all that.
Here we have Jewish Professor Bernhardi—head of a Vienna
medical institute—with a dying Christian girl on his hands. Some one
But Bernhardi, knowing the girl is happy and
sends for a priest.
unaware of death, says“ No“ to any last rites. And for that the pro¬
fessor gets it in the neck.
Flare-up of long-standing intrigue at the insti¬
tute. Trustees start resigning. Questions are asked
in. Parliament.
The Jews, and their enemies
It develops into a struggle between Jewish
scientific rationalism and the antl-Semites of
Vienna, And a lot of discussion about opposed
systems and moral values.
There are twenty men in this play and one
woman who makes a brief appearance in the first
scene.
That accomplished actor, Abraham Sofaer, gives
a splendid portrayal of Bernhardi—a man believing
in his cause and unafraid of ruin, Also something
very real from John Garside, Alan Wheatley and
Peter Ashmore.
DAILY SKETCH,
200, Gray's Inn Road. W. C. 1.
Dat 15 Julr 1836
DRIVEN TO PRISON
Abraham Sofner’s Beautiful
Acting in Schnitzler Play
Schnitzler’s Professor Bernhardi.
presented last night at the Phenix
Theatre, is the latest of the Embassy
productions to be transferred to thel
West End.
It is the drama of a Jewish doctor
who refuses to allow the priest to visit
a dying girl because of her firm con¬
viction that she is going to live.
His high-minded action rouses the
whole gamut of Casholie fury, cul-
minating in a wave of anti-Semitism
which drives him to prison.
There is considerable talk, but the
theme is a vital one; the minor
hypocriticalls
characters, especially
politlcian. are drawn with humour and
Insight. and Abraham Sofaer’s beautiful
acting makes the Jewish doctor a!
dignified and moving figure. F. B. L.

EXTRAC FROM
THE EVENING NEWS,
Northoliffe House, E.C.4.
15 300 1936
Date
ABRAHAM SOFAER'S
FINE ACTING
“ PROFESSOR BERNHARDI‘ I8
A 600D PLAY
I do not believe that there is
no room in the London theatre in
midsummer for anything which is
not fundamentally trivial.
Whether I am right or wrong about
this, a good play is a good play at any
season of theyear, and I am positive
about the goodness of Arthur Schnitz¬
ler's“ Professor Bernhardi.“
After a sojourn at the Embassy
Theatre, this play has now moved into
the Phoenix Theatre, where a second
view of it entertained me at least as
much as the first had done.
For there is abundant and stimula¬
ting entertainment in this brilliantly!
told tale of the complex consequences
that followed the action of a Jewish
doctor in forbidding, for ife kindest of
motives, a priest from a lministering
extreme unction to a dyin girl patient
of his.
The one weak perforn ance of the
original cast has been (liminated by
the substitution of another actor, and
Mr. Abraham Solaer conlinues to put
up a memorable perforn ance as the
Jewish doctor, bicked up hy excellent
portraits created S; #: arle Grey.
Mr. John Garside. Mr. Noel Howlett.
Mr. Ronald Adam, and Mr. Alan
Wheatley.
J. G. B.
Cutting from—The
Now
Dailn Telegraph 1.
193
Date of Issue 15 JUL 1936
SCHNITZLER PLAY A
THE PIICENIX
STRONG ALL-ROUND CAST!
Schmitzler’s plag“ Professor Bernbardi.
Imring been a steress at the Emnbussy, now
bezins u mirut dhe Pincenix.
e ronhmne frein tie Einbassy was.
with one exreption. n strong on. Eurie
Gregeeenes in to strengthen thie wenk spot #
wluch he dees effertirelr. T others hure
unprovell und mpened with their fortnight s #
##nat Hmmpstend, und the pluy is notabli §
well acted.
Abrahnm Sofner, as the Jewish doctor
schose professional zeal is milsconstried as
Eunti-Christian bins, is once agnin excellent. &
John Garenle, Beruurd Merefield. Petert.
Neinnste min Noel Howlett are partienlariger
stisfring. And Ronald Adum. hitting offg
#i##meetg the Cabinet Minister’s cusnis-
tries, gives che best performnanee 1 laver
A. D.
scon Froin han.