New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
THE DRAMA
Synge's "PIayboy of the Western
World" at Maxine eIll0tt'S
Theatre.

This-one OF the most talked Of plays
in recent yesrs-is play rich in humor
and well lighted by wit. Threads Of poetic
imagery and spirit are shot through It's
homely dress. A quiet and orderly man
who sat near the writer detected none OF
these qualities He found the play dull.
too. and said so. He had no sympathy
with the rioters Of Monday night. but pro-
nounced the play vulgar in places" He
was urged 10 specify. We'll" said he,
its indelicate 10 have those peasant girls
on the stage without shoes and stock
ings" II the rioters had been able 10
elucidate their objections the latter would
have been found even less conclusive 10
persons who entered the theatre with free
minds. For the rioters objected TO what
is not in the play, while the blushins ciu-
zen whom the writer questioned objected
TO six bare ankles.
The rioters were incensed because the
farmer boy. Christy Mahon. prates Of kill
ing his father. But Christy does not Kill
him. he only makes fine talk about II; and
everybody, excepting the rioters, knows
that he is given over 10 vainglory. They
objected to what they had been told Is
menace 10 an Irish girls virtue But the
girls virtue is never menaced and never
questioned Had they read the play or
witnessed It calmly they would have
known "a much. They objected, too. be-
cause several Irish lasses are infatuated
with a self-confessed murderer. But he
is not a murderer, and the lasses are not
infatuated with a crime which, shrewdly
enough they guess he did not commit
What they like is his play-acting. HIS
heroics entertain them. They know he is
stretching the long bow. The rioters OBJ
iected because Christy makes a second as
sault upon his father But he doesn't
make IT, He pretends 10 make II. And
Old Mahon pretends 10 receive IT, And
this is done off stage. The villagers
believing this assault has been committed,
turn upon Christy and will hold him for
the police. The girl, Pegeen. helps in the
capture. This reveals her state Of mind.
as even rioter might know If he would
read. or watch and listen. But with these
simple precautions no one would be
rioter In a few minutes Old Mahon re-
turns. blayboy fashion, pretending to
grevious wounds. He finds the game
won't work this time. he can get no more
beds. drinks and square meals on the
strength Of H. OF he goes 10 work il
elsewhere. and tell tales Of the villany
in Mayo, and the fools is here" Chrtsty
goes with him to help perplex the natives
in some other part Of the land. Pegeen
remains behind lamentlng-you may or
may not believe in her lamentation, az
you choose-"Oh. I have lost the only
Plavboy Of the Western World"
Where's the harm? What's the hin
drance. the shame" disgrace" and 30
on Of all this? Mr.. J. 3. Yeats said lately:
THE acrimonious dispute (about The
Playboy") Is the eternal dispute between
the man OF prose and the man OF imagina-
ton" Who had the imagination Monday
night-the rioters. the quiet, middle aged
gentleman who blushed at half a dozen bare
ankles. or the majority Of the spectators
who might have enjoyed the play and the
acting had they been permitted to see these
in peace?
The Playboy" IS an excellent piece Of
literary work; II is not greatly important
as a dramatic composition. II is fairly
acted Mr.. O'Donovan is Christy the Play
boy. Mr.. Morgan. Old Mahon Mr.. Sinclair,
Michael James Mr. Kerrigan. Shawn; Miss
MaGee, Pegeen, and Miss Angood, the
Widow Quin And the actors appeared 10
be not at all disturbed by the rioting. The
persons who wished 20 see the play had
right 10 see H. Those who did not wish 10
see II could have remained away. Those
who disapproved Of 1t for any reason could
have Missed between the acts had they
wished. and no one could properly object
to such dissent in any playhouse at any
nla, 4 revival Of Kissing might be good
for the stage. but rioting Is another and
unnecessary matter. There Is no reason TO
suppose that because Of the great interest
and commotion over the fortunes OF THE
Playboy" that the drama Is looking up
AS for the play and the causes Of disturb
ance H0ni soft q1d nal peHse. A. W