THE BOY DAVID

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22355, 19 March 1938, Page 20

THE BOY DAVID

BARRIE’S LAST PLAY *

The Boy David. By J. M. Barrie. With a Preface by H. GranvilleBarker. Peter Davies. 170 pp. (5/- net.)

Sir James Barrie had for 15 years written nothing considerable for the theatre. Last year “The Boy David” was produced, and though its general popularity was great, the coolness of critical opinion disappointed the playwright. Twenty-five years ago he would not have had to complain of this, for the play is better and stronger than others which were almost universally approved. There is a reaction, and it is justified, against Barrie. More and more is his weakness being discerned: his inability to represent a really high or great' emotion, and his inability to represent more than one or two kinds of character. It is unjust now to notice only the failures and not the successful moments of “The Boy David.” Barrie tried, and still tried, in the words of his eulogist, Mr Granville-Barker, “to wed fancy and poetry to the actualities of his realistic modern stage.”, It is because his purpose was no wider that his dramatic fame is no higher. His “sense of the theatre” is acknowledged, his power of suggesting to actors what he desire was great, and his skill in domestic dialogue was unusual; but the twang of the heartstrings is monotonous and the escape from sternness too persistent. “The Boy David” has one good act, the first; the second is unconvincing, and the third, a representation by visions of the boy’s future, might be successful if no part of the production failed. The first act, the homely conduct of David’s parents and brothers and the appearance of Samuel, is moving and lifelike. Speech and actions are real, and the rise of emotions plausible and effective. In the second act David’s meeting with Saul is a decline;; 100 soon David and Saul become little children together, and both are too boyish. The mingling in David of boy and man, of boy and divinely appointed one, is too obviously revealed, just as the King’s madness is made known without subtlety. Barrie is better seen and heard than read, and it is possible that Saul appears stronger on the stage than in the book. The quality of Mr GranvilleBarker’s preface and of parts of the play may be judged from the fact that the following speeches are quoted with approval. David, is speaking to Jonathan just after his first glimpse of Goliath;

David—He is of a size even more huge than they said. Jonathan, I am not quite sure now that I shall win. Jonathan.—Fly with me quickly, David. I can save you still. David.—No.

Goliath (off)— Now shall Israel be shamed for mocking me with such a champion. Look, insect, upon Goliath of Gath.