The New York herald., 1922-01-03
Study of Poilu
Home From War
in S. S. Tenacity'
Augustin Duncan Produces
Charles Vildrac's Rather
ColOrless Comedy.

Two demobilized poilus, weary Of
OF all obligations to their Government,
decided after the armistice to emigrate
to Canada. In a seaboard town they
were held up by repairs to the freighter
steamship Tenseity. on which they were
TO set sail for the new land.
Temporarily they lodged In the inn OF
the little town. finding work on the
tramway, that their little capital might
not be too much depleted. One was
positive and resolute, the other uncer-
tain and interpretive. Both had been
journeymen printers before the war. The
vacillating youth chatted and told his
day dreams to the pretty waitress. The
other gave her a bottle of champagne
at midnight. When the sudden word
came that the steamship was ready this
man and the waitress stole out OF the
inn In the early morning to take a trip
TO the north and enjoy themselves so
long as the money lasted. The deserted
boy sadly set out alone for Canada, owl
IDENTIFY because he felt he might as well
be there as anywhere else.
This is the story OF the three acts OF
"The s. S. Tenacity" which Augustin
Duncan produced at the Belmont Thea
ter yesterday. The work of Charles
Vildrac was highly commended In Paris
as the first OF the dramatic studies OF
the demobilized poilu. jacques Copeau
first acted the comedy at the Nieux Co
lombler in Paris His predilection for II
may well be understood. II is the lit
erary rather than dramatic character
which most interests him. The play Is
indeed almost without dramatic accent.
IL one except the scene OF courtsnip with
It's continued osculation alternated with
sips OF champagne. there is nothing 10
add point to the long stretches of dia-
iogue but the contrasting characters OF
the two men as they are affected by the
influences that surround them after so
many years of war.
The action passes In the restaurant OF
the inn on the quay. IL is fire weather
with the sunlight blazing through the
glass windows, or il is raining and there
is gloom over all. Scarcely any more
striking change OF mood IL In the play.
Mr.. Duncan as producer is no less
devoted 20 the tcncts OF extreme realism
than NJ. Copeau. so his actors yesterday
allowed no ray OF imagination to tighten
the literal solution OF their dramatic
problems.
Tom Powers's soft Southern voice oc-
casionally wooed the ear appeal!ngly and
his scene Of hesltating courtship was en-
gaging In it's simplicity. George Gaurs
determined pursuit of the waitress was
a powerful bit of naturalism and there
was an occasional alleviating minute OF
humor in his acting. Miss Marguerite
Forrest was no more exaggerated In
method than her associates. Indeed. the
simplicity with which she drank her
champagne and submitted TO the eiu-
braces OF her lover made her rartlcipa-
tlon in these revels seem quite innocent.
She. at all events. saw no harm in them.
Such undoubtedly was the maidens view
point in life.
Mr.. Duncan played drunken loiterer
In the cafe with his invariable delibera-
tion Of method. Claude Cooper added
dash Of humor TO the opening scene by
a sketch OF an English sailor. But "The
s. S Tenacity" was as free in general
from this quality as II was from almost
every emotion that could be expressed
In any but the most everyday. subnor-
NAL and unimaginative manner IL Of
fered study Of two contrasting men,
but there was precious little more TO be
got out OF H.