“THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY”

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 18

“THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY”

Of "The .Second Mrs. Tanqueray,” Sir Arthur Pinero’s world-famous play, which Leo du Chateau is to produce for tlie Wellington Repertory Society for five nights in Hie Town Hall Concert Chamber, starting on Tuesday, a distinguished London critic said: “It is without doubt the’ most original and startling piece of work which has been seen on the Loudon stage in our time. One is not likely to forget the intensity of the interest with which’ the whole theatre bung upon every word of the last act nor the stillness —I almost said the stupefaction—which followed the great climax of lhe tragedy. For indeed it is a tragic story whjgh Pinero has unfolded with a power, pathos, a simplicity and directness, a mastery of technique, and. above all. an uncompromising reality unexampled in the whole range of Hie modern English drama. Mr. Pinero has chosen it theme which society knows very well, lint which doos not usualh discuss. Treated cynically. ignorantly or in an atmosphere of sentimental eori-uption. this subject would be intolerable on our singe. Mr. Pinero lias made none of these blunders mid " i'he Second Mrs. Taiiquci-ay" fulfils Hie greatest purpose of tragedv by exciiing profound pity. That tlie mural of this drama enforces itself with grhi) e.-iriicsl Hess is beyond dispute.”