II, Theaterstücke 25, Professor Bernhardi. Komödie in fünf Akten (Ärztestück, Junggesellenstück), Seite 702

fess
25. Pro Bernhandi
BxTRAOT FROM
ERA,
11, Scho Square, W. 1.
010
22 Juiv 1936
“ DR BERNHARDI* AT
THE PHGNIX
WIANY plays are called “great;“
this one, of the many, may
deserve the label. It is a work of
wit and subtlety, extremely sophis¬
ticated and perhaps, it its object¬
ivity, a littie too passionless.
Schnitzler obviously realised, too
well, the depth of the chasms
separating even the best-intentioned
of his fellow men, and apparently
he was no believer in the perfect¬
ability of human nature.
Abraham Sofaer is excellent in
the chief part, and the supporting
cast more than competent. Ronald
Adam, in particular, is amusing as
the eternal politician. R. B. M.
EXTRACT FROM
Tlorme, Peat
23 JUL 1936
ate —


2



2



MR. ABRAHAM SOFAER and Miss
in
ANNE
COTTON
Professor
Bernhardi, at the Phenig Theatre.
box 31/5
HXTRACT FROM
LADV,
39-40, Bedford Street, W.C.2.
23 Jaii
Date —
Knother play originally presented h# the
Embassg Theatre has carned a West End
production. This is Schnitzler’s Professor
Bernbardi, now at the Phernix Theatre, an
interesting plar verg well acted, wüh Mr.
Abraham Sofaer repeating his brilliant per¬
formance in the leading part.

EXTRACT FROM
ber Terlen Dars
PHOENIX THEATRE
Professor Bernhardi.
This play is a translation from the
German andthis fact must be Fememn¬
bered in criticising it, for things that
would be impossible in England could
happen in Austria.
The first scene takes place in the
ante-room to a ward in the Elizabeth
Institute, Vienna. A girl in the ward
is dring as the result of an illegal
operation. She is unaware of this, and
feels well and happr, and confident of
recoverr. Rather than disturb the
serenity of her last hours, the Jewish
director of the institute, who is per¬
sonallv in charge of her case, reinses
to allow a priest, who has been sum¬
moned by one of the nurses, access to
the patient. The girl therefore dies
#unfortified by the rites of the
Church.?
Upon this incident the plot turns.
This seemingly small occurrence i8
magnified and distorted until it be¬
comes a fully-fledged scandal, culmi¬
nating in court proceedings. Anti¬
Jewich feeling runs high in Vienna, and
the fact that Professor Bernhardi is a
Jew ontweighs the Christian motive of
his action. He is maligned, degraded,
and finally imprisoned.
* There is littie action in the play, and
much dialogue. Ou the whole the in¬
terest is well sustained and the char¬
acters convineing, it gives plenty of
food for thought and disenssion, and
provides a thoroughly interesting even¬
ing’s entertainment.
Cvenisr’s Misuar.—Skidding while
cyeling along Old Brompton-road, on
Monday evening. Mark Carter. 34 Lower
Downs-road, Wimbledon, received an
injury to his right shoulder. He was
taken by ambulance to Princess Beatrice
Hospital.