Faksimile

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244
G.K.'s Weekly
June 25, 1936
The argument is exquisitely balanced. Both sides
The Drama
of tlie case are lucid, but while the honesty of the Jew
is crystal clear his extreme stupidity becomes ap¬
N HE EMBASSThas never done anything better
parent, stupidity one feels not of an individual but
#than—Schnitzler’s“ Professor Bernhardi,
of a racial kind. Given a similar situation in which a
produced by Arthur Schnitzler, the author’s
Christian doctor attending a Jewish pätient had to
son. The play, written some years ago, is of im¬
decide as to whether or no a Rabbi should be admit¬
mediate and vital interest. The story staged in
ted, it is difficult to suppose that his decision would
Vienna shows the anti-Jew feud in the making and
be against the Priest. Bernhardi, sublimely insensi¬
tive to tlie reactions of a Catholic community, closes
portrays with exquisite art the endless misrepresenta¬
the door on the priest and the girl warned by the
tions—for political ends—of an incident which—wise
nurse of his approach collapses in sheer terror of death.
or unwise as you may regard it—was innocent of any
From then on one’s sympathies are with the Jew.
intent deliberately to offend.
The incident assumes a fresh distinction in the press
But it is not only of topical moment. The author
as in political circles. Dr. Bernhardi’s rivals on the
in the person of Bernhardi gives the whole Jewish
Board work up an anti-Semite agitation. He is por¬
trayed as leading an anti-religions movement and
psychology. He presents those qualities which enlist
reviled as injuring the standing of the Elizabeth
our admiration and respect and those amazing numb¬
Institute. Professor Ebenwald, the second in com¬
nesses of taste and feeling which make the European
mand of the medical staff, engineers a political attack
gasp.
in Parliament and a personal onslaught by the Board
Bernhardi is the Director of the Elizabeth Institute.
of the Hospital. Bernhardi resigns his post, and as
Under his management and throngh his genius it hias
a result of political machinations is tried for blasphemy
and sentenced to two months' imprisonment.
grown famous thronghont Austria and so high is the
The author gives brilliant character sketches of
esteem in which he is held that it is only the most
Bernhardi’s supporters and antagonists, Christian and
virulent of the anti-Semites who remember he is a
Jewish, and in a masterly scene between Father Redes
Jew. The Board of Directors necessarily includes
and the Professor postulates the irrevocable gulf which
intriguers—was there ever a Board without—but their
separates their standpoints—spiritual and material.
self-seeking aims and love of advertisement are kept
And yet one is conscions that an ever deeper an¬
in check by Bernhardi’s loval colleagues.
tagonism exists between the two, the one rooted in
nationalism, the other in racialism.
And so the sky is blue and the Institute booming
Bernhardi excites admiration, sympathy and re¬
whien the whole place, metaphorically if not actually,
spect; hie inspires and infuriates. His stupidity in
is rent asunder and Bernhardi’s fame and good repute
failing to recognise the fundamentals of the people
totters almost to extinction.
among whom he is domiciled, his inability to see that
A young girl is dying from an illegal operation, She
bis inability to apprehend the general point of view
was past help when she arrived at the hospital. The
has created an impasse are magnificently portrayed.
On the Embassy stage one realises why even the most
concern of the staff is to help her to anscasy end.
cultured, the most talented, the most generous Jew
She is given injections which create the illusion of
will occasionally and quite unconsciously commit a
health and happiness. The poor thing talks of being
bétise which leaves his Gentile friends squirming.
up and about in an hour, she is even able temporarily
The end of the play is superb. The nurse, chief
to forget that her lover has forsaken her She is
witness for the prosecution confesses that she gave
indeed experieneing a blissful euthanasia when a
perjured evidence against the Professor. This menns
a new trial, a fresh stoking up of fear and cruelty.
priest arrives to administer the last rites of the
Bernhardi says he will have none of it. He will go
Church. She has not asked for a priest; he was sent
nway and do his work of healing elsewhere.
for by a nurse fearful that her patient might die
But will he? Can he escape from the mesh or
unshriven.
however unwilling must he be drawn into the political
Bernhardi points out that if the girl sees the Father
and racial vortex?
she will know at once her true condition and insteal
However the author’s query satisties one sense of
justice—will the Institute close down, or will the
of slipping away happy and content will die in agon
Professor in the extremity of its necessity—dissen¬
of body and torment of mind. It is a doctor’s duty
sions have rent it economically and professionally
not only to fight for the life of a patient but to help
önce more be reinstated?
the sufferer to a penceful death.
Mr. Abraham Sofner as Bernhardi gives a perform¬
Bernhardi’s attitude horrifies the nurse and a
ance of sheer genius; Mr. Bernard Merefield is delicate
ripple of surprise runs through the group of waitin
and restrained as Father Redes, while Mr. Ronald
professors and students. The priest puts the case
Adam’s study of Dr. Flint, Minister of Education, is
superb. Mr. Charles Maunsell is brilliant in his sketch
for the spiritual need of the dving girl in an admirabl
of Professor Felder, while Mr. John Garside gives a
written speech. There is no suggestion that Bern¬
hardi is or ever has been anti-religions; he merel,
lelightful studvof the charming old Professor Cyprian.
refuses access to this one particular patient. It is.
A great play, superbly acted and produced.
he believes, his duty to do so.
J. K. Paornrno.