New-York tribune., 1922-03-26


The portrayal of physical imperfec-
tions seems to have a peculiar interest
for Pinero. A few years ago he pre-
sented q play called "The Freaks"
Now, in "The Enchanted Cottage" he
introduces a hideous man, hideous
woman, blind man, a woman with an
impossibly big nose, and q man with
one arm, besides woman In a condi-
tion not usually presented on the stage.
Aside from these characters there are
also Shadows" in the shape Of witches,
imps and fairies, together with gen-
eral atmosphere Of the supernatural
which one does not expect to find in
Pinero play, and which, in the almost
unanimous opinion Of the critics, it
would be better without.
On Oliver Bashforth, a crippled
"reic Of the war;" with soul as
twisted as his wry neck, and on Laura
Pennington, an ugly girl, whose beauti-
full nature docs not transform her to
the casual eye, love waves its wand
of enchantment. That Is the main mo-
tive Of Sir Arthur Plnsro's Few play.
The core Of his "fable" was at once so
poignant, SO close, and YET ao un-'
touched by dramatists, that q certain
greatness was inevitably attached TO it.
But he uses his pitiful victims of the
war only to illustrate the inferior
theme that "a man and a woman who
love have a sift Of sight which il not
granted to other men and women"
That is q dramatic theme in itself, but
it is far from being original
Oliver Bashforth was wrecked In the
war and all the rich promise of his
youth denied. A brooding, neurotic
cripple, he tries to hide himself from
the world, but cannot escape his fool
ish mother and stepfather, who won't
leave him in peace. Pursued by their
solicitude even into his lonely cottage,
in self-defense he marries the plainest
girl in the district He does it tact
lessly enough, explaining that such
poor wreck as he cannot hope for
pretty bride, and must be content with
a kind one. She tells him that even
plain women have their dreams, in
which they become beautiful and are
J loved for themselves.
Then the old housekeeper at the cot
tage, said to be witch, makes strange
signs, and the miracle happens. Beauty
and health come to the couple. 1t
must really have happened because the
audience can see 1t for themselves,
though the only witness of the change
in the play is a blind man-another
victim Of the war. Then comes the
supernatural "business." The couple
dream of their enchanted cottage, and
all the lovers who had lived there and
been beautiful before. There appear,
besides, imps who come down the CHM
ney, cherubs who pop out of a box.
witches with broomsticks.
Then the spell passes. In the last
act the tiresome relatives are expected,
warned of the TRANSPORTATION by the
blind friend. But when the couple are
summoned before them there is no
change. The world sees only pal1id
twisted man and a plain, slatternly
girl, whereat hurried departure of the
relatives and dismay Of the blind
friend, half hoping miracle for him
self. What is the explanation? 1t is
given by the old housekeeper, suspected
Of having had some hand in the mira
Gle. 1t is simply the old Transforming
effect Of love. Oliver and Laura have
never really changed; they have only
become beautiful in each others sight
Learning the worlds truth, they defy
1t, retaining their own truth, which Is
greater and abiding. The play ends
with another vision, Of an angel ap-
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