The Washington times., 1902-12-14

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TBSEN. Pinero. and Sudermarn have
precipitatcd locally the storm now
4 gathering over the whole dramatic
world as to- the warrant or lack of
warrant FOR problem plays. In q meas
1re the Washington Judgment has been
Hnnounccd-a firm Endorsement OF the
two authors Lass named and degree Of
favor for the first Mr. sudermann' g
"Nagda" and "Thc JOY of Living" and
1I-. Pinero's "The Second Mrs. Ten
o-.rr-" h-vr -ri. week c0-T00drd
audiences az the Columbia Theater Of
So. ..ssln. .lu.n,.. ana A.. IJsen
Ghosts" Grew to the same playhouse
several hundred persons of exception
ally high Intelligence. Whatever the
Just deserts OF these three authors, then,
this much Is established: the p-oblem
play commands the attention and sup
port OF the local play-going community.
A challenge has been issued, moreover.
that the critics who disapprove Of these
playwrights shall establish wherein this
support rejects discredit on the audience
which greeted Mrs. Campbell and Miss
Mary shaw. II can be found else
vhere cn this page In the form OF a
lettcr-which Tho Times prints willing
ly-commenting in terms Of strong dis
approval Of this papers review OF
Ghosts" for an the principles ad-
vanced by the earnest Mr.. Dieserud ap-
ply TO the plays Of Sudermaun and
Pincro as well as 10 the works Of
Ihscn-
without especial reference 10 Ghosts
the question seems to be this: DO the
theaters serve good purposes in pre-
tcnung the problem drama? II they
do. it is patent such plays deserve TO
succeed; 81 they do not. It is equally
patent they deserve the condemnation
OF every pen which writes Of the modern
stage.
a problem play seems 10 be one which
deals with subject not ordinarily dis
cussed among men and women-the in
volatility Of tho marriage bond. the
reclamation OF fallen women; the pun
1shmcnt Of men and women who have
sirned morally; tho injustice Of
double moral. standard" for the two
sexes. and all the various combinations
OF these problems which Ingenuity can
create. In the last resolve all problem
plays seem go depend on the relations
between the two sexes. The dramatic
works based on these questions are mani
fold. For whole generation they have
been incubatlnE Every new playwright
rcckons his success. apparently. accord
ing TO the audacity with which he pro-
pounds the conditions Of his problem.
The world Is running mad after prob
lem plays" and the supply is meeting
the demand.
These columns advanced last Sunday
standard for the measure OF such
plays. u was I'm brief that the play
should be viewed from the standpoint Of
the whole audience; that it should not
couple vice with attraction. that &c
should Dee clean and pure in fits effect;
that i-s spirit should be hcalthful and
uplifting: that the retrIbutIon. present
ed as a consequence OF the evil depicted
should be infused into every part or
The play an5 not into the last scene
only It is firmly believed such a gauge
VIII prove .hc undesirabillty OF this
whole school or dramafic writings That
is now Co be- proven. il possible
ON the basis oi long observation "a
seems fair TO say chat the audiences
which view such works as .The Cav
Lorl Quc1. "a Characteristic play OF
this class. are rather more notable than
those which arc saru io tho tbea-r-
usually Tbe-o a-.,,~--re -,or~o,.-
trceent no corl-aG..fios 90 tr. o.r.-sI
if-strirai ote.r,,-.,- -1-- IN, ,--,.
majority NJ -rr,tcrvo.r- az. 1.......-
fvo.ty and fo-t, ,oer- ,s ... ,,-.,
~. ft.s. ,,.-.,,,. .-.. .....-.. ..-....- ...,,-
a,
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"N' mas lo'lo"''
'' Ylo-l'l' plays e45seIs VIII
1'.9u'e lA1se premises
>'"' y '@'n I'''ita play does nothing
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