II, Theaterstücke 25, Professor Bernhardi. Komödie in fünf Akten (Ärztestück, Junggesellenstück), Seite 704

25. Professor Bernhandi
B
HXTRACT FROM
BRIXTON FREE PREES SERIES
Brixton Free Press
Clapham Free Press
Streatham Free Press
9 4 MIV 1936
Dat
· PROFESSOR BERNHAROI“
A
provocative play is Schnitzler’s“ Pro¬
Tesser Bernhardi.“ now being presented at
the Phocnix Theatre after its original pro¬
duction at the Embassy Theatre. Practi¬
callg the cast is unchanged, and it is a
strong onc.
The storg centres round the following
brief outline.
A Roman Catholie girl is
dring. It is agreed that nothing can save
her: but she does not know this. A priest
has been sent for and arrives. The Jewish
doctor refuses to admit the priest on the#
supposition that this would reveal to the
girl that she was going to die and give
her a fright in her last moments. She
dies withent the consolations of religion.“
Did the doctor do right?
The parf of Bernbardi. the doctor in the
#case, is finelr portraged hr Mr. Abraham
Sofaer, who becomes something of a hero.
The anthor’s final conclusion is that the
doctor was“ foolish.“ not understanding
the psychology of a devont Roman Catho¬
lie patient. Mr. Bernard Merefield is ex¬
cellent as the priest, and Mr. Ronald
Adam gives a good performance as the
Minister of Education.
The play. which was banned in Germany.
is well worth seeing and talking about.
i4 Lrden Keklel
24
Date —
Jew and Christian
Clash on the Stage
• PROFESSOR BERNHARDI,“ a re¬
markably fine and poignant
play, which was at the Embassy
Theatre a few weeks ago, has come
to town to the Phoenix Theatre.
You should certainly see this play
if only for the wonderful performance
of Mr. Abraham Sofaer as a Jewish
doctor who refuses to let a dying
woman see a Roman Catholic priest—
his reason being that he wishes to
save her from the terrors of death.
The clash between Jew and Chris¬
tian is brought out with admirable
feeling and restraint, and in spite of
the grim seriousness of the subject
the play is lightened by the most deli¬
cate comedy.
box 3175
EXTRACT FROM
JEWISH CHRONICLE,
2, Finsbury Square, E.C.2.
24 JUU 1936
Date
∆. Gala Micht ut ihe Pieenir
ROVALTV VISIT “PROFESSOR BERNHARDI“
On Wednesday evening. there was something of a gala night at
the Phoenix Theatre, where Mr. Ronald Adam is presenting
Schnitzler'’s“ Professor Bernhardi.“
The play was attended by Queen Marie of Rumania, by the Arch¬
duke Anton of Austria and the Archduchess Illeana, daughter of Queen
Marie, and by the Austrian Minister. Professor Bernhardi'’ is at once
an analysis and a searching condemnation of anti-Semitism, and its
patronage by these distinguished visitors may be welcomed as an indica¬
tion not only that they revere the memory of a great Austrian play¬
wright and have the sound theatre instinct to go to what is one of the
most interesting productions that have been presented this year in
London, but also that they have ears for the great dramatist’s message
concerning the mean stupidity of the anti-Seimtie cult. Apart from it#
specitie Jewish interest, Bernhardi'' is one of the few plavs one can
reconnnend to any intelligent friend and be quite sure in advance that
he or she will not be even the last bit disappointed—and of how many
productions can one say so much?
G.J.
EXTRACT FROM
SATURDAY REVIEW,
9, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C.2
2 5 JUI 1936
Date-
* Professor Bernhardi“
Phenix Theatre
By Arthur Schnitzler
* DROFESSOR BERNHARDl,“ after a
successful three weeks at the Embassy
Theatre, has been transferred to the Phcenix with
a few changes in the cast. The original artists
have in several instances strengthened their per¬
formances considerably, especially Bernard Mere¬
field as Father Reder, and Leonard Sachs as Dr.
Oskar Bernhardi. Abraham Sofaer, too, has an
added charm in his quieter moments which was,
perhaps, lacking at the Embassv, and is altogether
admirable in the name part. Of the other changes,
however, I preferred the interpretations of the
parts of Professor Ebenwald and Dr. Lowenstein
as given at Swiss Cottage.
C.S.