HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16953, 15 March 1917, Page 6

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

"DAMAGED GOODS." . Opinions concerning the suitability of subjects to be placed upon the/theatrical stag© are frequently, and permissibly, formed beforehand, and generally differ very largely. The views regarding the appropriateness of staging a story such as is contained in " Damaged Goods" must necessarily have a wide range, and, no doubt,' there are many weighty arguments for and against such a production! After seeing the stage version of tho story performed bv the Williamson company last evening in His Majesty's Theatre, many who stop to consider would probably ask themselves the question whether the subject was not more suited to the lecture room than the theatrical stage. Frank outspokenness is'very desirable in tho abstract, yet the calling of a spade a spado may not always be the best course to pursue to arrive at a certain end. It may be productive of harm as well as .of good, and in curing one evil-there may bo a danger of cultivating another. And so, giving every credit for the good intentions and honesty of those who, from purely philanthropic motives and a sense of duty, institute a crusade to disseminate information concerning some social evil, the initial question that arises is as to the best ( to be adopted.' From that p-tint of view it 1 , does seem that tho subject matter in Damaged Goods" is one for tho lecture room rather than for the theatrical stage. It may be fairly contended that the story gathers force, and is more convincing when presented as it was last and causes ;a much deeper and more lasting impression than if put in lecture form, but it has to be admitted that the facts are brought forward in a rather startling form in some instances. There is no beating about the bush, though, as stated in tho few remarks made before the rise of the curtain, " there is not a single obscene word." That does not, however, entirely relievo the situation. As to the mainor in which "Damaged Goods" was performed, which is one'-- of the principal matters for comment, very little fault can be f6und. It was not only admirably played, but there was a . careful avoidance, so far as tho subject would allow,, of anything to which exception could be talc6n. The keynote to the wholo thing is: "Ho did not know," and tha lesson, driven homi with great force, is that "he ought to know." The outstanding character is a doctor who is' Oracular, and a great moralist; and it is he who enunciates tho doctrine of disseminating knowledge concerning the evil, and denounces what he calls a conspiracy of silence."- Ho introduces some shocking examples of the results of tho disease to M. Loches, a member of tho Chamber of Deputies, with the object of enlisting his sympathy and support in legislating for the suppression of the evil, and in doing so hits the old gentleman very hard by including him with those who have escaped by luck, and not through any virtue they possess. Tho doctor was presented by Mi_ Stephen E. Scanlan with exceedingly satisfactory results. Mr Scanlan played with quiet force, and his incisive delivery of the ideas and opinions of the specialist was very effective. Indeed, his impersonation could scarcely have been improved upon. The George Dupont of Mr Lewis Willoughby, whilo commendable, did not reach tho same standard, but he managed to bring out the utterly selfish side of the character very successfully, and that was probably tho main point. Dupc-nt, it must' be_ remembered, is determined to marry despite the doctor's warning as to the result, and, .with his mother, is quite prepared to sacrifice the country woman who is -'.ursing his child. Neither Miss Gwen Burroughs nor Miss Alma Rock Phillips had very much to do as Madame Dupont and Henriette, wh-m George Dupont marries, but both appeared to advantage. _ Miss Gertrude Boswell is to be credited with a really go 41 impersonation of i'no nurse small part, it is true, but one that requires ability t > fill. Minor characters were takea by Miss Molly Taylor, Miss Josephine Ray, Miss Gwen Dorise, Messrs George Hanbury, Sidney Stirling, and J.' B. Atholwo<-d.

" Damaged Goods" will be repeated this evening.