Two Comedies by Arthur Schnitzler. Translated br
Edith A. Browne und Alls Grein, (1)# Uitern¬
The Parewell Supper.“ Weduesday,
ture“; (2)
March 11.
Althonch the eritie may find the frequently
Freeurring perfermances by the various sage
#cieties that have come into existence during
recent gears u heavy strain on tine that is
fullv occupied, owing to the increase of theatren
in the West End. and the growing importance
of some of the suburban houses, yet he cunnst
1n##e tetchetthen uonurt u nen intnrest.
the country by the
he dramatie
75
männer
Sch they bring.forward die uncon
ventional plays of native origin, and introduce“
to our notice works by foreign masters thaf¬
otherwise would never be seen on this side of
the Channel. One can but admire the spirit in
which these sinoere enthusiasts of dramalie
art pursue their self-appointed tasks¬n spirit.
that demands no recompense other than the
reward which is usually supposed to accom¬
pany virtue.
Among theze societies, the New Stage Club
holds a conspienous position, by reason of the
good work it has accomplished since it was
founded. Its latest achieveinent will certainly
do nothing to mar its reputation, inusmuch as
the two short comedies by Arthur Schnitzler
proved as amusing as they were indubitablz¬
elever. The author is more than favourably
known br hearsav in this country. for u play
of his. The Hospital, was produced by
Meesrs. Vedrenne und Barker at a Court¬
matinee, and. therefore, it was not surprising
to see quite a representative audience in the
little theatre ut Bavswater.
I have no knowledge of the German originals
of the two pieces under notice, and therefore
cannot spenk as te the faithfulness ofthe trans¬
lations, but this much can be said withont
exaggeration, that Edith A. Browne and Allx
Grein ar entitled to high praise forthe grace
of dietion and literarv findsh, as well as the
English directness of the dialogue. Both plays
are mere episodes and depend but little on
their respective plots to sustain the interest
of the andience; what chiefly compels alten¬
tion in both is the umusing charcierisation
and the delightful sonse of humour which per¬
vades the situations. In Literature' we are
introduced to a bighly-excitable lady, who
found married life with a cloth merchant anv¬
thing but congenial to her artistie feclings. So
when a divorce has been obtained she migrates
to Munich and becomes associated with a
Bohemian set of poets and artists, where ahe
indulges in amatory epistles with one of the#
poets. Having tired of that she engages her¬
self 10 a sporting baron. who has a pronounced
distaste for her literary work, and is horrified
when he is told that she has just written a
novel. He leaves the house in high dudgeon,
and then there enters the Poct, who proceeds
in high falutin' language to renew his protes¬
tation of love, and during a momentary dis¬
agreement each learns that theone has written
a novel around the other, intfuding the publi¬
cation of their letters. The Poet presents the
Baron with his, und to the lady’s consternation
the Baron returns with an advance copy of
hers. The sitnation is decidedly funny and
einds in a strong note of laughter.
In* The Farewell Supper“ we have a gub¬
ject more farcical in matter and treatment. An
amorous journalist is tired of a certain ballet
dancer and has transferred his affections to
another lady. Annie, the dancer, is coming to
what he intends shall be the farewell supper,
and, according to a mutual promise, he must
out with the truth. So that he shall not face
the irate lady alone he has invited a matter¬
of-fact friend to stand be him. Annie arrives
and startles him by saying that she has, ae¬
cording to their agreement, eomething to tel!
him, and it transpires, much to the mortifien¬
tion of his vanity. that her explanation is
identically the same as his; she is in love with
another.
This little story is told with unfailing spirit.
and the honour of the performance un¬
doubtedly rested with Mrs. Alix Grein, who
gave a remarkablg natural and pointed repre¬
sentation of the wayward Anni¬.
Her tone.
manner, and gestures were very convineing.
and her abandon during the supper scene was
admirable. Mr. H. B. Hampton as Anatol, the
journalist, and Mr. Erie Marzetti as Max, the
friend, did justice to their respective röles.
Both plays were cordially received. and
managers on the lock out for bright curtain¬
raisers would find them very acceptable pre¬
ludes to the more substantial fare of the even¬
ing. A word of praise is due to Mr. Jerrard
Grant Allen for the careful manner in which
he had supervised their production.
B. W. FINDON.
—
tho Haymarkee Theatre e.
On Wednesday evening the Now Stage Club drew a large
andience to the Bijon Theatre, Bayswater, by promise of tho
representation of twoone-act comedies adapted by Edith A.
Browue and Allx Grein from tho original of Dr. Arthur
Schnitzler, who so far has become knowe to English playgoers
J
through his play,“ The Hospital,“ breught out some time ago
at the Court Theatre under tho directien of Mesers. Vedrenne
und Barker. The egecutive ofche New Stage Cluh was caroful
10 remind its patrans that the doctor is onc of the most pro¬
Minent of metern Continental dramatists, and that the comeilieg
zot down for performance supplied charncteristie examplos of
his lighter moods. It was added that in these, as in his moro
serions work, “his touch is as unerring as his stylo 10
strenchant.* The pieces were but trillen, but thos teld. Thoy
did not last long, but while they lasted they afforded con¬
tinuons diversion. The first to challenge criticism was called
Literature.!
There were but threo characters: Margaret, a young and
handsome widew wich Bohemian und iiterarg taster; Ciement,
a sportive and pouthful Baron, who was a good deal Lhilis¬
tine und who had promised to be her second husband;
and Amandus Gilbert, her arlistig, literary, and somewbab
Tooliehly msthetio lover, with whom she lad indulgen
in tho geodl old days and nights whon she was one of
the Bohemian tet in Munich. Clement was furious wien ho
disenvered Chat Margaret had been writing passionate love¬
poems. Iio was more furions when it came out that her Intesb
literary eflort had brought forth a novel in which, with
assumedl names, ele set out the story of her life. When ale
Treminded him that his own life was not without reproach, ho
MARCH 15, 1908.
answered that he did not give them to the world at half a
crown a volume. But there was peace when Margaret put her
novel on the fire. She and her old lover had been ab the same
game and had made chapters out of their ardently.written
love-letters. The little piece was very well played by Mina###
Louise Salom, Mr. Lawson Butt, and Mr. F. A. Flower.
*
The sccond piece was callod“ The Farewell Supper.?
frivolous youth kuown as Anatol had exchanged vows of
eternal love and constancy with a comely ballet dancer
whoso name was Annie. In making the said vows they had
mutually arranged that directly there was any “ cooling off:
on either side it should be frankly declared. Anatol had not
been in evidence more than two minutes before it was mado
plain that he had been false to Annie. How truo Annief
had been will presontly appenr. Anatol was giving a littlef
eupper. lt was to be a farewell one. He really could
not go on providing two suppers every evening—ono for
the lady ho wanted to bo on with and one for the
lady ho wanted to be off with. Anatol had brought in
bis friend Max to keep him in countenance while he broke to
Annie the dreadful news that they must part for over. Ho
dreaded her reproaches, and possibly he thought
Max Might Assist in Drying Her Tears.
When Annie arrived on the scone she was exceedingly hungry,
and certainly was not in zentimental mood. With her pretty
mouth nearly filled by an cyster, sho informed Anatol that ehe
had something very important to communicate. Anatol was in
aterrible hurry to know what it was. Annie took another oyster
and another pull atthe Burgundy. Soon, however, sbe laughingly
blurted out the avowal that ehe had fallen in love, and that
Anatol would have to find another sweotheart. Anatol was
not candid. He did not confess straight away that he had
another already. Anatol’s pride was hurt; his jealousy was
groused; hefilled the air with reproaches. Annie had another
bite and another drink, and went away. And I fancy Annie
tock with her Anatol’s silvor cigaretto-case to give to tho man
she had promised to marry.
* The Farewell Supper“ was!
Freatlyenjoyed bythose whohandled neither knifenorfork. Mr.
II. B. Hampson was excellent as Anatol, and Mr. Erio Marzetti
dil very well as Max, but the keenest eajoyment was providod
by Mrs. Alix Grein, who gave some delightfully comic touches
tothe part of the heroine, and more than deserved all the
complimente that wero offered her.
nnn'will finich . „
Edith A. Browne und Alls Grein, (1)# Uitern¬
The Parewell Supper.“ Weduesday,
ture“; (2)
March 11.
Althonch the eritie may find the frequently
Freeurring perfermances by the various sage
#cieties that have come into existence during
recent gears u heavy strain on tine that is
fullv occupied, owing to the increase of theatren
in the West End. and the growing importance
of some of the suburban houses, yet he cunnst
1n##e tetchetthen uonurt u nen intnrest.
the country by the
he dramatie
75
männer
Sch they bring.forward die uncon
ventional plays of native origin, and introduce“
to our notice works by foreign masters thaf¬
otherwise would never be seen on this side of
the Channel. One can but admire the spirit in
which these sinoere enthusiasts of dramalie
art pursue their self-appointed tasks¬n spirit.
that demands no recompense other than the
reward which is usually supposed to accom¬
pany virtue.
Among theze societies, the New Stage Club
holds a conspienous position, by reason of the
good work it has accomplished since it was
founded. Its latest achieveinent will certainly
do nothing to mar its reputation, inusmuch as
the two short comedies by Arthur Schnitzler
proved as amusing as they were indubitablz¬
elever. The author is more than favourably
known br hearsav in this country. for u play
of his. The Hospital, was produced by
Meesrs. Vedrenne und Barker at a Court¬
matinee, and. therefore, it was not surprising
to see quite a representative audience in the
little theatre ut Bavswater.
I have no knowledge of the German originals
of the two pieces under notice, and therefore
cannot spenk as te the faithfulness ofthe trans¬
lations, but this much can be said withont
exaggeration, that Edith A. Browne and Allx
Grein ar entitled to high praise forthe grace
of dietion and literarv findsh, as well as the
English directness of the dialogue. Both plays
are mere episodes and depend but little on
their respective plots to sustain the interest
of the andience; what chiefly compels alten¬
tion in both is the umusing charcierisation
and the delightful sonse of humour which per¬
vades the situations. In Literature' we are
introduced to a bighly-excitable lady, who
found married life with a cloth merchant anv¬
thing but congenial to her artistie feclings. So
when a divorce has been obtained she migrates
to Munich and becomes associated with a
Bohemian set of poets and artists, where ahe
indulges in amatory epistles with one of the#
poets. Having tired of that she engages her¬
self 10 a sporting baron. who has a pronounced
distaste for her literary work, and is horrified
when he is told that she has just written a
novel. He leaves the house in high dudgeon,
and then there enters the Poct, who proceeds
in high falutin' language to renew his protes¬
tation of love, and during a momentary dis¬
agreement each learns that theone has written
a novel around the other, intfuding the publi¬
cation of their letters. The Poet presents the
Baron with his, und to the lady’s consternation
the Baron returns with an advance copy of
hers. The sitnation is decidedly funny and
einds in a strong note of laughter.
In* The Farewell Supper“ we have a gub¬
ject more farcical in matter and treatment. An
amorous journalist is tired of a certain ballet
dancer and has transferred his affections to
another lady. Annie, the dancer, is coming to
what he intends shall be the farewell supper,
and, according to a mutual promise, he must
out with the truth. So that he shall not face
the irate lady alone he has invited a matter¬
of-fact friend to stand be him. Annie arrives
and startles him by saying that she has, ae¬
cording to their agreement, eomething to tel!
him, and it transpires, much to the mortifien¬
tion of his vanity. that her explanation is
identically the same as his; she is in love with
another.
This little story is told with unfailing spirit.
and the honour of the performance un¬
doubtedly rested with Mrs. Alix Grein, who
gave a remarkablg natural and pointed repre¬
sentation of the wayward Anni¬.
Her tone.
manner, and gestures were very convineing.
and her abandon during the supper scene was
admirable. Mr. H. B. Hampton as Anatol, the
journalist, and Mr. Erie Marzetti as Max, the
friend, did justice to their respective röles.
Both plays were cordially received. and
managers on the lock out for bright curtain¬
raisers would find them very acceptable pre¬
ludes to the more substantial fare of the even¬
ing. A word of praise is due to Mr. Jerrard
Grant Allen for the careful manner in which
he had supervised their production.
B. W. FINDON.
—
tho Haymarkee Theatre e.
On Wednesday evening the Now Stage Club drew a large
andience to the Bijon Theatre, Bayswater, by promise of tho
representation of twoone-act comedies adapted by Edith A.
Browue and Allx Grein from tho original of Dr. Arthur
Schnitzler, who so far has become knowe to English playgoers
J
through his play,“ The Hospital,“ breught out some time ago
at the Court Theatre under tho directien of Mesers. Vedrenne
und Barker. The egecutive ofche New Stage Cluh was caroful
10 remind its patrans that the doctor is onc of the most pro¬
Minent of metern Continental dramatists, and that the comeilieg
zot down for performance supplied charncteristie examplos of
his lighter moods. It was added that in these, as in his moro
serions work, “his touch is as unerring as his stylo 10
strenchant.* The pieces were but trillen, but thos teld. Thoy
did not last long, but while they lasted they afforded con¬
tinuons diversion. The first to challenge criticism was called
Literature.!
There were but threo characters: Margaret, a young and
handsome widew wich Bohemian und iiterarg taster; Ciement,
a sportive and pouthful Baron, who was a good deal Lhilis¬
tine und who had promised to be her second husband;
and Amandus Gilbert, her arlistig, literary, and somewbab
Tooliehly msthetio lover, with whom she lad indulgen
in tho geodl old days and nights whon she was one of
the Bohemian tet in Munich. Clement was furious wien ho
disenvered Chat Margaret had been writing passionate love¬
poems. Iio was more furions when it came out that her Intesb
literary eflort had brought forth a novel in which, with
assumedl names, ele set out the story of her life. When ale
Treminded him that his own life was not without reproach, ho
MARCH 15, 1908.
answered that he did not give them to the world at half a
crown a volume. But there was peace when Margaret put her
novel on the fire. She and her old lover had been ab the same
game and had made chapters out of their ardently.written
love-letters. The little piece was very well played by Mina###
Louise Salom, Mr. Lawson Butt, and Mr. F. A. Flower.
*
The sccond piece was callod“ The Farewell Supper.?
frivolous youth kuown as Anatol had exchanged vows of
eternal love and constancy with a comely ballet dancer
whoso name was Annie. In making the said vows they had
mutually arranged that directly there was any “ cooling off:
on either side it should be frankly declared. Anatol had not
been in evidence more than two minutes before it was mado
plain that he had been false to Annie. How truo Annief
had been will presontly appenr. Anatol was giving a littlef
eupper. lt was to be a farewell one. He really could
not go on providing two suppers every evening—ono for
the lady ho wanted to bo on with and one for the
lady ho wanted to be off with. Anatol had brought in
bis friend Max to keep him in countenance while he broke to
Annie the dreadful news that they must part for over. Ho
dreaded her reproaches, and possibly he thought
Max Might Assist in Drying Her Tears.
When Annie arrived on the scone she was exceedingly hungry,
and certainly was not in zentimental mood. With her pretty
mouth nearly filled by an cyster, sho informed Anatol that ehe
had something very important to communicate. Anatol was in
aterrible hurry to know what it was. Annie took another oyster
and another pull atthe Burgundy. Soon, however, sbe laughingly
blurted out the avowal that ehe had fallen in love, and that
Anatol would have to find another sweotheart. Anatol was
not candid. He did not confess straight away that he had
another already. Anatol’s pride was hurt; his jealousy was
groused; hefilled the air with reproaches. Annie had another
bite and another drink, and went away. And I fancy Annie
tock with her Anatol’s silvor cigaretto-case to give to tho man
she had promised to marry.
* The Farewell Supper“ was!
Freatlyenjoyed bythose whohandled neither knifenorfork. Mr.
II. B. Hampson was excellent as Anatol, and Mr. Erio Marzetti
dil very well as Max, but the keenest eajoyment was providod
by Mrs. Alix Grein, who gave some delightfully comic touches
tothe part of the heroine, and more than deserved all the
complimente that wero offered her.
nnn'will finich . „