New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-07
BIZ HECTOR TURNBULL.

Marie Gauhert. ................. Gertrude Workman
Nine. d'AmergueuI. .............ysra de Cordosa
Dv iViheel. .Geofse feIs1s0A
BY HECTOR TURNBULL.
Richard Bennett and his co-workers
who gave US Damaged Goods" last
season presented Brieux's fine play,
Maternity" last night at the Princess
Theatre at a special performance given
for newspaper men. There will, it is
announced, be few more perform
ances of the play for "w2men only"
and then the general public will be
welcomed after they join the Purpose
Play Society.
Maternity" is we'll worth seeing.
even if one must join an uplift organ
ization TO enter the theatre. In this
particular play Eugene Brieux shows
most clearly his rea. standing as q
dramatist and critic. In an inspiring,
hopeful, optimistic manner impossible
to writers like Ibsen and Shaw he pa
rades our CHASTITY social sores, not as
would a sensational trickster obsessed
with the realization of his own clever
ness, but with real scientific impulse
for the betterment Of present condi-
tions. Where Shaw and Ibsen only con-
trive to build up a damaging, hopeless
case against human nature, BrieuX
criticises social conditions, easily
remediable and constructively, not de-
structively, exposed.
When he tears down the screen that
keeps us from seeing such evils as are
displayed in "Maternity"-th terrible
cruelty practised by modern society in
relation TO the unmarried mother, the
pitiful plight Of large families in pow
erty, the menace of alcoholism to the
future generation-he is like our up
to-date efficiency" man going through
our social fabric as one would make a
tour of an Anticipated dwelling. Garb-
age heaps are raked and exposed. dark
closets are suddenly Lighted, and open"
plumbing is offered IN place of the
older hidden and germ breeding con-
triyances.
This hopeful optimistic note is quite
remarkable in Brieux, for his works
have ell the signs of coldly scientific
mind intent upon facts and accepting
the dramatic values of his discoveries
q
enjoy himself hugely and interest his
readers thoroughly with similar criti-
cism, but the effect is not the same.
Brieux finds no profit in dressing hui
man nature in various guises merely to
show the inevitable and unalterable
weaknesses of the race. He cares
nothing at all for the clever irony that
shames dignity while pretending to
commend it. His work is rather with
conditions of society. He shows us
sores that may be healed and grievous
hurts that may be helped.
SO many of US have read Mater
nifty" that it seems hardly necessary
here TO describe the play in full. 1t
must be said, however, that the splen-
did playing Of Richard Bennett, Adri-
enne Morrison and others of the cast
gave the lines of the play new and
vital interest. This fact is more COM
mendable than it might appear, for
Brieuxs speeches and arguments are
written dispassionately and without a
trace Of that familiar mawkish pan
deripg to the demand for sentiment on
the stage. Mr.. Benefits playing OF
the erratic, bigoted, alcoholic husband
is perhaps the best piece of work he
has done. All of the nuances Of the
character were emphasized with tact
and no little artistry. His very clothes
showed how much real study he had
put into the role.
Adrienne Morrison is in herself a
good reason for a journey 20 the
Princess. As the ong-suffering wife
of Brignac, she handles the hard, I'M
SYMPATHETIC, ddactic speeches Of the
author with infinite skill. Her natural
charm and quick sense Of values AMI
mates the difficult role in a manner
that gives a new significance to the
character.
Frances Savage has something to
learn about makeup, but she deserves
a deal of credit for the finished, Ell
fective manner in which she carried OIL
her speech in the second act. when
she brings the same air of conviction
naturalness and sincerity 20 the rest
of her scenes she will rank among the
most able of the younger actresses OF
note. Vera De Cordova played two
roles with considerable merit, and the
rest of the company was equally wen
chosen.
1t is very difficult, of course. TO pre-
sent the last act-the courtroom scene
of Maternity" without admitting a
strong note of artificiality. THIS Is
partly due 70 the fact that there is a
vast difference between the French
method of trial and the American. The
play. however, does not suffer. 1t IS
lust as vital, just as pertinent, in its
relation to social conditions here as
II is 10 the Freedman. One has only
to reflect that, although some few, by
grace Of a certain enlightenment may
iook askance at the exposures in Ma
ternitv," the same drama is being
nlsved all about US in this highly lad
yanced" city as we'll as others less ad-
vanced.
Mr.. Bennett has done a real service
TO the American stage IN presenting
the play and producing it in such a
nainstaking, artistic fashion. IL IS 70
be hoped that the Purpose Play, Soei-
ety does not become exclusive, for no
one can afford 10 miss the opportunity
10 see Brieux's splendid work so well