The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-04-27
}ronx Express
Fantastic Play
of Factory Life
burns Appear in Ossip Dy-
mow's Piece From the
Yiddish Stage.

BY LAWRENCE REAMER. II
mother drama from the Yiddish
;e came last night to Broadway after
fame had resounded more or less
lly in theatrical quarters. Bronx
'ress.' by Ossip Dymow, originated
the same stage which sent Samson
Delilah" and THE Idle Inn" to the
er reaches of the theater world. Ben
| once played in this specimen of the
dish theater. but he was not re-
asible for its Introduction last night
ne was in the case of the other two
ks. Mr.. and Mrs. Coburn played
leading role in the work. which had
been among the announced enter
es of George NJ. Cohan.
fr. Dymow had the assistance or
IN Davis in preparing Bronx Ex-
IS for the English stage. 1t Is called
the program a fantastic comedy"
is in three acts. The first shows the
ible nat in The Bronx of the button
Ter, and succeeding scenes. revealing
re of the fantastic quality OF the
k, are in the subway. in an imaginary
ct with the high windows" and the
dences of the millionaires, which are
art of the protagonist's dream. There
title but a realistic study of the life
the impoverished expatriot in The
INK in the button makers humble
ne. His daughter loves a young
ter. The manufacturer ready to adj
,ce all the money necessary for a
ton factory woos her in vain. When
runs away to join her young
rothed after her sets out the unhappy
her.
Play Called Fantastic.
They agree in the symbolism which
tiles Mr. Dymow to call his play fan
tic. 1t is not very incisive symbolism
does 1t grow any more Ineligible
the second act progresses. Yet as he
ans in the train and reads his news
per in Hebrew the scene changes to
] house OF a millionaire which was to
lge by the lanrppost in front of the door
the corner OF Fifty-seventh street and
fth avenue. The idea of the subway
lin Is still dominant in his mind. for
this scene. clinging to straps sus-
nded from the ceiling. Then at the
1t OF the stairway leading to the pail-
ON there is turn stile.
rhe guests are the advertisements tnat
pear on the walls OF the trains. inc
neral waters are there. and the To-
eco and the cough drops. as well as
: women's wear. In his dream tne
ttonmaker talks and flirts with them.
ey mistake him for a man as rich In
Hons as they are.
All this shared the quality or extreme
ivete which most plays from the fid-
IN theater reveal in any other environ
mt Then the symbolism OF the scene
,med to grow weaker as 1t progressed.
Q buttonmaker proved to them at last
It he was richer than they. even with
,ir millions, in having happy home
lie could only think less of money.
all seemed very ingenious.
Actor and Author Recalled.
fr. Coburn was warmly recalled after
) second act. and so was Mr.. Dvmow.
10 made a brief speech. Mr.. Coburn.
10 had played very well the role
the buttonmaker. apoloeized for
absence OF Mr.. Davis. ne eHtHu
SIN of the spectators after the second
seemed altogether genuine. 1t may
that future audiences will take as
,ch interest in Bronx life and its in
bitants There is no other kind OF
crest possible in the play Its sue
IS before the audiences of the Yiddish
/ Theater Is easier to understand
in its success before any other pub
might be.
rhe numerous brief roles were in the
in adequately played. Mr.. Coburn
4 some OF the racial traits in his per-
nance. which was highly intelligent
plan. Mrs. Coburn's talents are bet
suited to other roles than irresistible
ems. She even smokes cigarettes with
ling propriety. Miss Hone Suther-
ia as the rebellious daughter was
pable and pretty. although her beauty
not suggest English descent.