STAGE AND SCREEN
THE THEATRE
" The First Legion." A Drama of the Soziety of Jesus. By Emmet Lavery. At Daly's Theatre Tins is a sincere and straightforward play. It raises a number of deeply interesting problems, which, even if they are left unresolved, are at least presented in moving and dramatic manner. Almost all the action takes place in the Community Room of a Jesuit house. One of the Fathers is cured of nervous paralysis by a seeming miracle : the cynical, worldly doctor can furnish no other explanation. The lives of the Fathers change their course. The Father Rector pushes forward his long-conceived dream for the canonisation of Blessed Joseph Martin, the founder of the house, who is believed to be responsible for the miracle ; two younger Fathers find their faith rekindled : the halt and the maimed flock to the shrine ; the house becomes a nine days' wonder.
All are convinced of miraculous authenticity except Father Ahern, a young priest of great accomplishment and greater promise : like a good Jesuit he wishes to believe with his head as well as his heart, but fmds the evidence incomplete. Nevertheless he is chosen as advocate to plead the cause of Blessed Joseph Martin at Rome. And now, at the end of the second act, comes the thunder.
Under seal of the confessional, the doctor admits to Father Ahern that no miracle cured Father Sierra, but simple sug- gestion conveyed by him (the doctor) when the patient was delirious-. He has misled the Fathers to gratify a private grudge, and is now appalled by the far-reaching results of his mendacity. Ahern is trapped by conflicting loyalties ; the seal of the confessional is unbreakable, so is his vow of obedience to the Order. Yet how can he plead the creation of a new saint on grounds which he knows to be a lie ? A great dramatist might answer this question and cut the knot of conscience. Mr. Lavery is content to introduce a (rather too literal) dens ex machina, which, while bringing down the curtain with dramatic effect, leaves the mind unsatisfied.
Acting and production are both first class. The author appears to have a close knowledge of the daily details of Jesuit life, which we are permitted to share. There is not a weak performance anywhere, while one or two are of outstanding merit. Mr. C. V. France presents the Father Rector's accumulated tolerance and wisdom with gentle tact. Mr. Franklyn Dyall's doctor makes a good foil—a difficult part finely handled. But chief praise must go to Mr. Colin Keith- Johnston's lovely performance as Father Ahern : to convey intense spiritual eagerness, intelligence and honesty without for a moment seeming priggish, or employing what Mr. Desmond MacCarthy calls " the voice beautiful," is no mean accomplishment.
For the sake of the acting, and despite the final compromise, The First Legion is well worth a visit.
RUPERT HART-DAVIS.
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