Welsh Journals

make his protest through the medium of caricature, but he should not base his protest upon caricature. These remarks are not perhaps strictly relevant to a review of Beddau'r Proffwydi which contains nothing of an unfair or offensive character, but one cannot help feeling that Mr. Gruffydd has allowed his protraits of one set of Deacons to be lacking in faithfulness in order that they may be made the objects of his satire. They are, obviously, the villains of the piece. There is the less justification for this in that there is ample material for the dramatic element in a contrast between the past and the -present and still more the future-even of the "Set Fawr" which shall be based on truer and more faithful portraits than some of those given us in Beddau'r Proffwydi." In this connection it is interesting to compare the play with Ble Ma Fa," a very remarkable short drama by Mr. D. T. Davies. A young collier has been killed in a mine accident. During his life he had been an agnostic, whilst his wife was a member of the church. After his death the widow puts to several of his friends the question which is troubling her own mind and heart: "Ble ma fa 'nawr?" (Where is he now ?). The views of an old deacon and a young minister are brought into effective contrast, and the contrast is the more effective because both characters are portraits, not caricatures. You may agree with the young minister, but you are bound to respect the old deacon. The other characters are equally well drawn, and both the dialogue and the general atmosphere of the piece are admirably adapted to its central theme, which receives from the author sympathetic and even reverent treatment. This poignant little play, which may easily be per- formed within the space of half an hour grips you at the very commencement and commands your eager attention throughout. It deserves to be regarded and to be welcomed as a most notable and a most vital contribution to the foundations of a Welsh National Drama. E.E. "CHANGE." An event of great interest took place on Tuesday, December 9th, when the Stage Society gave a special matinee performance at the Haymarket Theatre of Mr. J. 0. Francis's play Change," which was last year awarded the Lord Howard de Walden prize. The play is a powerful drama of Glamorgan life in which the author graphically depicts the "change that is taking place in the industrial districts of South Wales. We see this in the history of one small family. The father is the deacon of a local Methodist Chapel and represents the "old brigade." He has worked hard and sacrificed much in order to secure for his sons advantages which were unknown in his younger days. But it was all in vain. The son who was destined for the ministry becomes an unbeliever and is turned out of home a second, an invalid, is killed in the course of some strike riots which had been caused by the young Socialist element, of which the third son is the recognised local leader. He, accused by his father of having on him the brand of Cain, leaves the home for Australia. The mother is left desolate having lost her three sons, for whom she was constantly hungry," and having discovered her husband to be a hard man." A relief from all this tragical element is supplied by an English lodger, whom the author has cleverly introduced, and who serves also to illustrate the difficulty which the average man has in understanding the commotion and tragedy to which the change" has given rise in the Welsh home, where there is "too much feeling." The play, it is true, cannot be said to be free from defects, but allowing for these, it is, undoubtedly, a moving and stirring drama, note- worthy for some excellent character drawing and much clever dialogue. The play was admirably acted by a company drawn, for the most part, from Wales. It is interesting to note that the reviews in the London papers were, almost without exception, most favourable, and Mr. Francis has every reason to be satisfied both with the production and its reception. Wales, in particular, owes him a debt of gratitude.