A Satire for the Invasion Season

Southland Times, Issue 24545, 20 September 1941, Page 9

A Satire for the Invasion Season

WISHA, GOD HELP US! An absurdity. By Henry Jellett. The Caxton Press, Christchurch. Price 2/-. The scene is the “Operations Room” at the Headquarters of the Irish Army. A lively discussion has been taking place between General Dooly and a handful of officers. There are rumours, even reports, that Germany intends to invade Ireland, and that British soldiers may be landed to anticipate the attack. The dialogue which sparkles around these subjects, or turns briefly aside to deal with such matters as the painting and the ultimate destination of The Tank, is the substance of Henry Jellett’s one-act play. There is a sharply-pointed moral beneath the humour, easily to be traced in the vain wash of opinion and suggestion against the solid complacency of the Com-mander-in-Chief. The climax arrives with three telegrams from Mr de Valera. Number one reads: “Germans landed this morning at the mouth of the Shannon. Stop. Attack them at once and drive them out.” Then comes number two: “The English army landed today at Roslare pretending to oppose the Germans. Stop. Attack them at once and capture the lot.” And finally, number three: “The Orangemen from the Six Counties arc crossing the Border tonight pretending to oppose Germans landing. Stop. Attack them at once and annihilate them.” After that it is not surprising when violent explosions accompany the fall of the curtain. Dr Jellett appears to have written his little satire more in sorrow than in anger, yet with an underlying

cheerfulness which should allow the play to retain its freshness after the invasion season is over. The dialogue is excellent.