Plays That Mock at Marriage.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1923, Page 1

Plays That Mock at Marriage.

(By William Pollock in Daily Mail.) i wonder if the theatre has ever so generally conspired to hold up marriage in a worse light than is the case just now ? Ignoring lareo, musical comedy, and revue, we have had but two plays this autumn depicting matrimony as a state to be desired or sought. Even in “Secrets,” the most beautiful play of the season, the wife has to buy happiness at the price of overlooking her husband’s infidelities. The only plays of the last- few months that could he guaranteed not to disturb the fair dreams of devoted young lovers are, perhaps, “The Man in Dress Clothes” and “Tho Way of an Eagle.” All tin* rest can be rerecommended to set their contented minds wondering and questioning. If any collection of plays is caleuInlcd to upset romanco, to keep young people away from altar steps or registrar's office, it is surely this autumn's hatch. Consider these themes: The Second Mrs Tanquerav: Complete failure of marriage bet-weeen a man of the world and a woman with a past The Scandal: Lapse from virtue on the part of a seemingly perfeetly happy w ife and mother. Dear Brutus: The hungry longing fur children on the part, of a man married to a wife with whom lie does not get on. The Return: Incompatibility between husband and wife after the war. An entirely false “happy ending.” East of Suez: Intrigues and marriage failure. Wife to blame.