II, Theaterstücke 25, Professor Bernhardi. Komödie in fünf Akten (Ärztestück, Junggesellenstück), Seite 713

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25 BBernhandi

HXTRAOT FROM
SYDENHAM GAZETTE,
6, High Street, Sydenham, S. E. 26.
AUG 1936
PPROFESSOR BERNHARDIN —
If von are thinking of an evening-ont in 1
town and von want to scc a plag that von
will remember for a long, long while, go
and see Professor Bernhardi.“
the new
play by Arthur Schnitzler, now playing at
the Phenix Theatre.
kt von't muke von lauch
very much,
but it will make von think.
From the
time von enter the theatre
until von
leave, vour attention will be completelr
gripped by this very vital play.
rom
TION
ENERA
EC.4.
13,
ereren ee eneten
Cutting svor
ssuc uatcn # hegs nnant
Love From a Stranger?' merited
the strong support the public gave it;
1.
Ihe Two Bouquets' was a brilliant
costume piece;“ Lady Precious
Stream' was wholly charming; and
* Professor Bernhardi?' a
play so
good that it ought to have held the
stage much longer.
* K
box 31/5

EKTAAET PRom
Knsenater Weter
Date
PROFESSOR BERNHARDI.
PHOENIX THEATRE.
was unable to see“ Professor
Bernhardi.?’ when it was first produced
rat the Embassy Theatre, but having
Theard a good deal of diseussion about
the play I took the first opportunity
I could of visiting the Phcenix Theatre
Von the plays transference to the Westt
End.
Let me hasten to say that I did not#
regret my visit.“ Professor Bernhardi
is a play of, what Iterm, indirect action,
I perhaps the most difficult in which to
kcep sustained suspense throughout three
aets, Fet wer onee did T hear the
slightest rustling of a restiesg undience.
A tribute to author, actors, and pro¬
ducer.
A few vears ago a play which
contained so many duologues would have
been coimmented upon as unusual and g
lacking in craftsmanship. Ideas have #
changed since then and the real strength#
of the play, apart from its main thesis,
lies in the thrust and parry, in the
light and shade, in the casuistry and
earnestness of the duologues.
Professor Bernhardi, played beyond
reproach Abraham Sofaer, is a doctor.
According to his medical rights he refuses
a priest admittance to a dying girl. That
is the beginning of a persecution in the
name of religion though generated by
political personalittes of Bernhardi the
Jew. Need more be said.
It is a play to which all thinking
people will want to go, for the problem
raised might easily happen. As a piece
of theatrical entertaimnent the play is
also completely watertight. The long
eust is a good one from which stand out
brilliant performances by Earle Grey,
John Garside, Charles Maunsell, Alan
Wheatley and last but by no means least
Ronald Adam, himnself the perfect picture
of the self satisfied minister, whose real
creed is that the means justifies the ends
provided the end is himself.
R. M.O.C.