THE BOOKSHELF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE BOOKSHELF.

A GALSWORTHY PLAY.

PRODUCTION IN PARTS.

For the general plan of bis latest play " The Roof," Mr. Galsworthy is clearly indebted to Thornton Wilder's " Bridge of San Luis Ilqy," except that instead of (be breaking of the bridge as the culmination of the action, Mr. Galsworthy substitutes a.firo in a Paris hotel at midnight. Each of the early scenes runs un tho curtain on the human comedy, timing place in flie various rooms of tho hotel, for the most part little tales of selfishness, or self-indulgence; a young boy in charge of a bearleading major taking" his first fling at life; an elderly couple apt to bicker at one another; a runaway pair not very sure of themselves, wanting to eat their cake and have it; two mischievous and wholly dolightful youngsters; and typically sombre Galsworthy scene between a dying man and his family.

Up to a point Mr. Galsworthy's intuition enables him to visualise human conduct perfectly; beyond-that point ho is as blind as a bat. From his fixed preconceptions he has built up a world of his own, so complete and plausible that he has almost foisted his puppets on the public in exchange for their real world. In this plav, side by side, is the scene botween the elderly couple, where Mr. Galsworthy working in a medium well within his scope, achieves a minor triumph; and tho scene between tho runaway pair, who so obviously belong to a sliam world that, while. they bear the stamp of tho same creator, seem to have strayed from the world of bis dreams. In tjie main, however, each little picture is capitally drawn, and each is an excellent comedy in itself. It is the final denouement on the roof which is the unsatisfactory part of the play. Ihe idea seems to be that in the presence of something real, some danger, something awry, people behave better than when evervthing is smooth and easy. But this theory still leaves some loose ends to tho story, and tho action « not quite convincing or natural. Mr. Galsworthy almost caught himself out writing a pleasant play; just in tunc lie dragged in a sombre note, but too late to give it a necessary place in the drama. It, is quite conceivable that, lhe Roof," would play better than it reads. " The Roof." a play by John Galsworthy. (Duckworth). WHIGS AND TORIES.

ROMANCE OF REGENCY DAYS. There are many readers who will, find pleasuro in turning from the familiar scenes of the modern.novel to one that recalls days once popular in fiction and biography, hut lately almost neglected. " Regency Windows," by David Emerson, Is a novel of the days of Pitt and Charles'' James Fax.' Mr. Emerson has made a special study of the period, «'ind his knowledge has guided his pen ably throughout. It is most entertaining to step backwards through the centuries on Mr. Emerson's arm into a busy world of Whigs and Tories, into social whirl of tho brilliant Belgravia Houso set led by Fox and tho Duchess of Belgravia The book marches steadily with an effect of pageantry, marshalling before the eyes some vivid portraits, loyal, political and social, nearly all well sustained and finely conceived. His outstanding character, Lady Langley, shines like a fixed star in (his London of 1770. From her marriage to her death she -is a power in lier world, and it is in the briiliant portrayal of her character that one feels that although modes and customs varv. human nature persists, the mastei link between the ages. She belongs indissoluble to her period, wlnle her favourite* son, Richard, an idealist and ;i romantic, winfi tlio renders sympathy, and adds warmth and a charm that is most necessary to the success of flic slorj.'. His wife, Katherinc is Mr. Emerson s one failure: she is often Tedious and unconvincing, tliougTi Ihcro is a bright spot when she becomes a devotee of the wait/.. A most interesting and entertaining novel.

" l{c;;cncy AViiulowfl," by Dnvid Ellicr son. (Sampson Low).

AN AUSTRALIAN POET.

NEW BOOK Ob 1 VERSE. It may bo a good augury that colonial poets are no longer so universally famous as of old. Good poetry usually needs a little application, a little study, more than the average man is willing to give, to yield the secret of its beauty. When every man is shouting a poet's praises, all too often he will be found to be merely a Kiplingescjuo rhymstci, healing tho same relation to poetry that the writers of most best sellers do to literature. , XT „ There are in Australia and New Zealand a number of young poets turning out tolerably good verse. ' One oi these, I?urnley Maurice, has just published a volumo of verse, "The Gully, and other Verses, named after tho first and most important poem in the book. His chief inspiration is one that has inspired many poets, a love for tho sights and sounds of his country. But ho lifts up a mellower voice and a less tugged rhythm than the earlier Australian pools, telling of a land which has emerged from tho pioneer stage: — •

J Thcm y breathes" a 3 ° tremulous sadness in . •tiB CS ?iof r cruei: 'lis the radiant fear That hovers round whatever thing man loves.

Mr. Maurice can write simple little lyrics which sing merrily along: Children, children 011 tho green, ■ Say. how often have you peon T.illle loves with lips of laughter Dunging where tho dews have been.

Perhaps the best poem in tho book is jolin Donne" which unusually mixes tho macabre and the sentimental in delightful simplicity. It is Mr JlfV'Tiim simplicity and sincerity which lift him above many of his fellows. <. T h6 Cully, and Other Verses,". by Furnlcy Maurice. , (Frank Wilmot).

LONSDALE'S NEW PLAY.

"JUST SILLY NONSENSE."

" Canaries Sometimes Sing," a play by Ihe lending playwright, Frederick Lonsdale, which has met with . co " s ! c,cr, success in London, and is thcrefoc worthy of notice, has a cast of o i people, who all unhappily married, who would always be unhappily mar nod, who all thoroughly deserve to bo unhappily married, '"because they are < able and undistinguished n quarleUo as ono could expect to meet. J.hoy all tend to bo attracted by tho others m.ito,all repent in time, and nothing whatever happens—even tho canary is dumb. It is not serious drama-there is no attempt to deal seriously with any serious queslion It is not farco —it is not 111 tne least funny. It is just silly nonsense And onco Frederick Lonsxlalo could bo fairly amusing.

, " Canaries Sometimes Sing," a, play by Frederick Lonsdale. {Metkucn.)