The New York herald., 1922-11-05
By ALICE RoHE.

- A LII society-is divided into three
~ parts, those who understand
Luigi Pirandeno, those vine
think they do and those who do not.
AS a matter Of fact. the last named
should come under the second heading.
But all three keep talsing about him.
Whenever new Pirandello play is
rut on" continued the Italian intel
lectual with whom | was discussing
the modern Italian drama. watch out
for excitement. Why. sometimes they
have to call out the policel"
Is it any wonder | hurried, all an
tic.pation. TO the Rome premiere OF
Pirandella's Man, Beast and Virtue?
With the knowledge that Brock Penn
Nberton was to produce SIX Characters
in Search of an Author" and that sew
cral managers were negotiating over
Henry "" and ITS So Uf You
Think It Is)," ! felt l should go in
training for Pirandefio premiere.
But though diversity of opinion
reached violent expression there We're
no fatalities. And at Milan the crop
OF duels which sprang up after the
opening of this play caused Pirandello
10 withdraw it! Such Is life in coun-
try where they take their drama seri-
ously,
Having read the extraordinarily cere-
bral plays ST this founder of anew
dramatic movement, ] realized that an
interview would unqucstionably afford
a fair degree OF mental excitation. A
writer Ia search of All interview, APP
preached the Piraudello villa on the
~ s...I.. 4 s1.z..
os my knowledge OF Italian to help me
through the intricate maZes l knew
;1vaited me.
Although | met pirandeilo icany times
after that first interview ] can never
forget tho first impression of amiabii-
Ity. of friendiness-anJ the shock of not
finding younger man. For had for
gotten that this most modern influence
IN the drama, this mind OF a new 1tal-
ian rienascence in literature-is a man
of co. who never wrote play until he
yas 80 I had visualized coldly ana
lytical intellectual and instead | found
an intellectually human being, alive
with interest and sympathy for man
kind
I'm only too glad to discuss my
thcater with you since you are inter-
csted," Pirandello was saying as we sat
In his study. Books lined the walls; an
Infinite number, IL seemed TO me, bear
ing the name of Luigi Pirandello. Man
uscripts were everywhere. and on his
desk the ink was still wet on the pages
OF the play upon which he had been
working
yes. these are my works." he said.
following my gaze. 81 work all the
time. Indeed don't live. write! L
had written SO ronances before ! ever
wrote play. My first play waG writ
ten at the age OF So In the last five
years I have written twenty-five plays.
you know it's mistake TO call my
plays grotesques." he continued. AL
though my novel The Late Matteo
Pascal inspired the grotesque move
lnunt, l have not followed 1t in my
drama
looked in anazement at this alert
man with the gray Van Dyke beard, the
fright birdlike eyes. eyes that question,
penetrate. look through you and past
you as though seeing things no orJi-
narv human could glimpse.
LISTENING TO his quick comment real
ted that interesting and original as Is
the impulse which Plrondello has given
the drama. the man himself is one of
tho most interesting and unusual psy-
Geological studies IN the world OF let
tors.
The "Pirandello Conscience" is ac-
ccpicd IN Italy and throughout intel
lectual Europe. II Is Il state of mind
expressive of the basis OF the Piran-
delian plays II is the contrast be-
tween reality and make believe: between
truth and fiction-the eternal iiiterroga-
ton OF life.
II have heard 1t said commented.
''that your plays rob the stage, life
itself OF its Illusions
"But right there you must face the