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New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5802, 20 January 1906, Page 15

’So succosaful ifl "Captain Drew" proving nt the Now Theatre, London, that Sir Charles AVyndhnm is endeavouring to I«jstpono his American tonr, and to find another theatre to which ho may transfer the play when his season nt the New The.vtre ends. "Major Barbara." tho new play written bv Mr Bernard Shaw, and prodneed at the Court Theatre. London, at tho end of November, is described as "a discussion in three acta." Barbara, daughter of Lady Britomart Undorshaft, is a major in the Salvation Army; and in order to win her Adolphus Cusinu. a Professor of Greek, joins that organisation. Thus tho dramatist introduces various Salvation Army scones, and shown with what is described by one critic as an "excess of rcalinm" the character of tho people in the East End of London amongst whom the rescue work is carried oij, But Barbara finally loaves tho Army because its authorities accept two cheques of JCIOOO each from commercial men, whoso methods of business do not meet with her approval. Tho play is described by ono paper as "half a play and half a sermon." and the critic asks. "Is Mr Bernard Shaw being spoilt by success? Br all means lot Mr Shaw air ids views. He is a brilliantly clever man. and his views, are deeply interesting. But let him air them through the medium of the printed page, and not have them spouted in front of a paiulpd backcloth under tho pretence that peiple will enjov listening to them. The truth is that'when Mr Shaw writes to annate he is delightful but when ho writes to instruct he is dead I'* dull. Mo do not want to bo instructed by Mr Shaw, especially in tho theatre."