"DAMAGED GOODS"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3002, 13 February 1917, Page 6

"DAMAGED GOODS"

A POWERFUL PREACHMENT "Damaged Goods," a play in three acts, by M. Eugene Brieux. Cast:— Geo. Dupont Lewis Willoughby The Doctor Stephen E. Scanlaa Henrietto Alma Kock Phillips Mine. Dupont Gwen Burroughs Maid Molly Taylor Nurse Gertrude Boswcll Student Kenneth Brampton M. Loches Sidney Stirling; A Woman Josophino Ka& A Man J. B. Atholwood. A Girl Gwen Dorisa "Damaged Goods," an English translation of M. Eugene Brieux's play, "Le3 Avaries," is one that is suTe to create a great deal of discussion, some serious conjecture as to the weight of its influence, and, perhaps, more than a suspicion of idle or morbid curiosity, according to one's temperament. Brieux is a strong, fearless writer on social subjects that are usually banned, and popular injustices that the full glare of ay,b» licity sometimes checks i£ it does not cure. His style is virile and forceful, and what dramatic strength is lent hvs scenes depend moro upon his salvage sincerity and tingling earnestness than upoß any theatrical striving or literary bri> liance. He says what he thinks, wh e ther you like.it or not. His play Ilaterkite," dealt with a subject that -has; !)(>»" strenuonslv dismissed of late. we> world over, and is the play which Iw given so many ideas to adventurous scenario writers for screen plays. HV* "The lied Kobe" tilts effectively at cmrent abuses in the matter of preferment in the Law Department of France.l* "Damaged Gcsds," M. Brieux flashe, a white spot light on the tragic social effects of venereal disease. It is obviously an-attempt to stir the fthonte. into such action as may check its to ages. Many will douDt .whether the performance of the play will «w«.the pw pose intended. Lovers of the stage mar seriously question whether the theatre should he made the medium. for Wo promulgation of such ™° ral but none will contest the truth of tto text or the moral of this *«W repellant piay. It is written in a spmc of righteous indication that such things as do exist in this social matter should be permitted to exist. With »»«* power Brieux strips the veil «» «S and presents the problem in all its repei lanthideousnessto the audionco. He depicts the case of a sufferer who, in a brief twenty minutes, veer* from .thoughts of suicide to those of war riage, and follows the latter bent, dear against the doctor's advice. lheir ■ f the inevitable train of misery and suffering. Save for the suggestion that young people should know of the, horrors of the disease and that paitiesto a marriage should exchange ■ certificates of health, M. Brieux proposes WD- 60 "™ solution of the problem involved ana does not even trouble to round off the play in the orthodox manner. Some or thY plays of Brieux have been interdicted, but in America Goods" was Produced, not without | great deal of trouble, by Bennett, and was there accepted as a production of benefit to the "£*»,* certainly not a play that the nnrnaturo should be allowed to see. .JJ™. ™ turity conies reason and a proper ap preciation of the good one feek sure u. Brieux is trying to do. .^mased As to the performance of /D*™ 3 ?," Goods" nothing but praise is due to tho highly . talented company which ■>■ J» Williamson, Ltd. has sent, over The cast has beer, selected with cstraoroi nary care, and always with due consweration'to fitness of miktendinc role is that of the aocioi.,. Sew to New Zealand), with a fine "lea of tomatic values. Mr. Lewis wm very happily cast as the husband, Geo. Dupont, and not a little of the success of the conversational first act was due to his admirable appreciation ot M 0 role. Miss Gwen Burroughs was admirable as Madame Dupont, illustrating with proper finesse the "unreasoning reason • of a woman hurt in her dearest affections. Another strongly-played part wasl that of the country nurse, by Miss Gertrude Boswell, whilst Miss Alma Eock. Phillips was satisfactory as Henricttc (tho wife). Mr. Sidney Stirling lent dignity and polish to the role of M. Loches (father of Henriette), and Miss .Gwen Dorise gave a clever character'sketch of a particularly repellant character—a, woman of the street-in the final act. Minor parts were capably sustained by Miss Josephine Hae and Messrs. J. B. Atholwood and Kenneth Brampton. Before the curtain rose, Mr. Herbert Leigh appeared in front, and made an announcement respecting the play, dwelling on the fact that it contained no scene calculated to provoke a scandal, nor was there in it any obscene word. "And it mav be witnessed by everyoue," ho said, "unless we must believe that folly and ignorance are necessary conditions of female virtue." There was no orchestra. The curtain rose at 5.20 p.m. and fell at 10.25 p.m. "Damnged Goods" will be played throughout the week.