The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-28
NEN DRAMA
By CORK
Russians Play Received With
Favor at Berlin,
PLAIN TALE OF LIFE
Suicidal Climax Of the Ger
man School Left Cut.

3
Italian and Russian dramatSts and poets.
Sudermann, Hauptmann, Philippi, Halbe,
and the host Of German dramatic Ium-
inaries succeed in only whetting an appe-
tite. so that German drafts on Norwegian,
Russian. Italian, and other foreign play
wrights. 1t is in this keen race to fill
the public nav and to cast all into the
vortex called the modern drama, and
neue richtung that the German stage
frequently serves to uncover foreign dra-
matte genius and transprint it from d
local to an international stage.
Maxim Cork. the barefooted poet Of
Russia. the foremost Interpreter Of the
Eufferings and ideals which struggle in the
breasts Of his provincial countryInen, now
appears in the German arena with a
dramatizatioa Of Die KIeinburger." in
which the gloomy, suicidal German drama
IS put to shame. For Maxim Cork. al
though called the bitter" affords
wholesome, uplifting drama. in which the
characters are mirrored not only true to
life but delicately poised; and despite all
the vagaries Of the characters in die
Kleinburger." they all serve to illuminate
q healthy philosophy That is more than
can be said in favor Of the dramas from
the pens of Sudermann Hauptmann and
the leading German dramatists. The lat
ter all struggle for a mortuary climax
In which the pistol, poison, or the sound
OF dark waters closing over the head
of the suicide play the principal part.
Maxim Gorki's latest drama is a ser
mon. It contains no plot. no thrilling
climaxes, but unfolds with mastery pen
rr-
emotions Of the human being. IT is like
a dissection Of the soul while the poet
is always visible. however above the
surgeon. now driving with hot indigna-
ton at the iniquities Of the Russian social
and political systems, laying bare individ-
ual frailties with merciless hand, and
blending happily a poetic fancy which
now and then emits Shapespearian flashes
with poignant raillery and wit It was
but a few nights ago that the Russian
poets 6ramatization was first presented
here in a German version at the leasing
Theatre. But critics and dramatists are
already discussing a Cork school and
creed as a wholesome medicinal for the
gloomy physiological drama of Germany.
The delicate poetical breath which flows
through the lines Of Die Kieinburger,"
recalls now and then Sudermann's mas
terpieces and yet the philosophy Of Sud
ermann appears at once bottomless and
mechanical in order to contribute to a
grand curtain climax. while Gorki's
philosophy is wholesome. and uplifts the
auditor. Witness B5ornsons "Ueber I'm
sere Kraft" Isben's THE Lady of the
Sea" "Wildente.": Hauptmann's Der
csr,.7orr,,~r,-,-- ere ,f,- do
Leben. Philipprs THE Great Light"
and in fact and one of the greater sue
cesses of last season. The auditor is
invariably agitated by the desperation Of
the central characters; his intelligence
IS abused with illogical situations. and
distorted emotions such as only a modern
German dramatist can ascribe 90 a hui
man being.
in Gorkis play there is not lacking the /
suicidal element the gloomy PHILOSOPHERS
peculiar to the Russian. Morse. and Ger
man national character. But Cork offers
the anud0te which Sudermann. Haupt-
man. ct al, neglect Of studiously avoid,
norder not 10 weaken the theatrical
effect of their productions. The difference 4
may be found in the fact that Suder-
mann and Hauptmann write for the stage
while Cork like his compatriot Tolstoi
writes for inner conviction. a desire to
Uplift his suffering countrymen. to show
them the guiding and saving glimmer Of /
light amid the gloom and dulncss s0f ,
their existence. His characters actually 4
I've develop before the eyes under the
pressure of actual circumstances. and in +
natural sequence which is refreshing
after the distortions which masquerade
in so-called problem PLAYS
IN Die Kleinburger" Cork appears I
more as discipline than a poet or dra-
matist The provincial family in which
he introduces us is an unvarnished pic /
tUre of Russian provincial life. The /
drama which unfolds itself upon the /
stage IS repeated day after day in real /
life in the bleak provinces Of upper Rus (
STA. except shat the poet expresses The /
gentle. idealistic strivings of a soul of
unuttered emotions the righteous rebel +
hon Of The Russian peasant throttled by
offcialdom. In Die KIeinbureer" there q
Is the Russian burghcr who may be Ger (
man. a French. Scandinavian burcher f
just as wei. who is made selfish by Ions
struggle aEatnst adversely. who IS over +
proud Of his gains and position. regards (
culture and refinement as q maladv and .
seeks 70 create Cars government .
within the circle OF his own family. .
The only saublence Of plot IS the con- 4
slant struggie between the two children .
Of TIE burshcr couple. who have received .
q schooling. ana who shrink from their
crude. selfish. ard iinterate parents.
x is the old story of the battle between
parent and children who live In different
spheres of thought. Ferociously the :
father shakes his fist into his children-s .
faces, and cries;
Tel me, Tor Gods sake tell me what
IS tx that separates US. what Is il rhat
has transpired into our souls. vhat
thoughts move you which cannot grasp.
and which yet estrange Us. You are fesh
and blood OF my flesh and blood. ana
Yet you strike cold my parental affection
you make me cover before you. Won
= axe me feel always that you are c,il-
tured. and that 7 am miserable IN
couth. ignorant father who has no more 4
claim upon the confidence and affection
OF his children.
IN ordinary life and among his neigh +
bo-s. BESSIE emenow. the "Kle{nburger- f
would be repuisive. and yet Cork with .
poetic tenderness. reveals that beneath 4
the rawlings Of the soaded selfish and
harharic father there IS q poignant grief (
snswinE az the heart because another +
age. a higher state OF culture snd So /
ciety has created 4 breach between him (
self and his children. True 20 nature also 4
Is the wife. whining az his heels. seeking 4