THE CAPEKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 80, 25 June 1927, Page 22

THE CAPEKS

KAREL AND JOSEF, AUTHORS OF “THE INSECT PLAY,” WRITE ANOTHER FANTASTIC | COMEDY. 1

“ADAM THE CREATOR” Karel and Josef .Capek, the Hungarian brothers who were responsible for “The Insect Play,” have produced a new fantastic comedy entitled “Adam the Creator.” It was played at the National Theatre, Prague, and, like the Robot drama and “The Insect Play,” is a combination of old-time morality d?ama and modern didactic philosophy. The Brothers Capek describe how a new Adam invents a cannon whieh, with one shot, destroys ail living things. Having shattered the wicked world, Adam proceeds to recreate one “nearer to his heart’s desire.” This work of creation, indeed, is Adam’s punishment, and he sets to his task at the express command of God. Unfortunately, the second edition of the human race is no better than the first, and the old differences between the Creator and the things created arise, until a second destruction seems essential. Then the new Adam confesses he was in error, and the Capek philosophy that “whatever is, is best” justifies itself. The scenic effects, among them the destruction of the world at the end of the first act, are particularly telling, the scenery being of the impressionistic order. A stage picture of the planets being whirled through the heavens is striking in the extreme. So is the vision of the great sky-scrapers of the mechanical age. Some of the dialogue is also interesting, though more as philosophy than as drama. “Adam the Creator” is not likely to reach New Zealand in the near future in its entirety, but the book of the words will prove good reading. Even if the Brothers Capek cannot be seen on the stage, their ideas can be studied through the printed page. They represent enough in mid-Euro-pean thought to justify that amount of study. To some literary tastes there are no more pregnant thinkers, expressing thought of our time through the art of Euripides, Shakespeare and Shaw, than the Brothers Capek.

Mr. Kenneth Brampton, the.producer for the Little Theatre Society, has gone to a great deal of trouble to cast “The Cass#lis Engagement,” and his selection should meet with instant favour and result in a splendid performance. Mrs. W. H. Parkes, who has a striking personality, will admirably fit the part of the Countess of Renenham. Mrs. M. McCallum will play Mrs. Cassilis with her sterling appreciation of the part. Great interest has been aroused by the forthcoming appearance of Miss Ethel Rea and Miss Beryl Nettleton, both of whom have already made successes on the amateur stage. Miss Rea’s performance in “The Abbess of Whitby” is still remembered with pleasure by Aucklanders, as is also Miss Nettleton’s fine work in “San Toy.”

Wilykie Bard, the comedian who visited New Zealand some years ago, has recently been awarded £1.208 damages for injuries received in a collision with the trailer of a mo-tor-lorry. The comedian, who claimed £2,000 from the accident, which took place on a London street, said that the injuries had so affected his nerves that he imagined people were trying to kill him with a peculiar kind of smell.