Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-16

fully unconvincing. As to the advlsa-
bllity Of satisfying without reservation
the passion for reform through the me-
4 dlum OF the theatre, that Is largely a
question Of popular taste and the trend
Of the times.
Topics once banned are now fire..
quently discussed in the playhouse. Some
years ago performances of Shaw's Mrs
y Warrens Profession" were prohibited by
the New York police. Subsequently the
play was acted by Philadelphia stock
company, unaccompanied by ripple of
protest. Galsworthy'S Strife" with its
arraignment of capitalism has been both
sanctioned and tabooed here. Its sup
preston came at time when a trolley
strike was in progress and the police
\ authorities frowned upon contemplated
production in the midst OF a labor crisis.
III Damaged Goods on our stage rode
on the crest of strong Endorsement by
I, Bernard Shaw and bid for support in
those ante-bellum days when barring
nasty truths before the footlights was in
high vogue. The 'high-brows" enthused
over its courageous mission" The
balance Of theatre patrons-indeed the
vast majority-patronized the piece in
order to be startled. This sensational
ism was not all In keeping with BSieux's
intent. But it made his treatise" phe-
nomenally profitable.
Z CHoCKING the public. however. is a
~ far less facile process than Of yore
The war has seen to that. II am past
anger now" declares the outraged
brother Of "The Master of Ballantrae."
satiated with Teuton fiendishness. the
reaction of the average individual to
brutal frankness' on the stage must
now be rather slight.
tk Thus sensational success for Love
forbidden" would be decidedly proble-
matical, even had the original author
presumably received respectful treat
ment. 1t is improbable now that many
persons will receive thrills Of morbid
satsfaction In witnessing play with
me dangers, treatment and cure OF tu-
osrculosis as it's theme. Nonsensation
mongers will be inclined to rule out such
= subject altogether from the contem-
pcrary stage. Apart from matters OF
Taste. the times are not adjusted to such
~ Offering. Art in its best sense still
femains out of sympathy with the dis
Ease theme in propaganda DRAMA de-
pite the fact that Damaged Goods
made money.
UDUT my criticism" wrote Shaw in
- concluding his unfavorable review
OF the premiere Of 'The Notorious Mrs.
Ebbsmith, has not. hope. any other
tault than the inevitable one of ex-
treine unfairness." Shavians-and let
this term here include all champions
q the "formless" drama of Galsworthy.
Barker. ct al-have for more than
eecade been pleased to ignore the hu-
miiity of that confession. They have
instead indefatigably recalled the jibes
q leaders of the so-called ''emanci-
{eted stage" against the exacting form
via OF the "well-made play"
Arthur Wing Pinero has naturally
perne the brunt Of these diatribes.
with remorseless artistry, furthermore
- has loyalty stuck by his guns and
continued to produce a cycle of expertly
wrought dramas affording popular and
4uccessful vehicles for some of the most
distinguished actors OF the English and
american theatres.
shaw's footlight conversations" bril-
pant as they are. have unquestionably
zen read BY more persons than have
Witnessed them With Pinero the situa-
<cn Is reversed. A. library enter
1etner he has been on the whole an in
44l4enat figure, The little paper
xked volumes IN which forms his
n vere iagne1 ooinmended <hsmselveo