Cloth, 12mo., $1.00
In Europe Mr. Ervine is perhaps better known for his contributions to the theatre than for his fiction, a number having been presented by the Irish Players at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. "John Ferguson" is as serious and important a piece of work as he has ever done. In the development of his plot Mr. Ervine not only evidences a skill in characterization, but he shows also a knowledge of technique and a marked ability in the creating of suspense.
"Never have the tragedies of everyday life been presented in dramatic form more truthfully or more poignantly."—The Dial.
"The conspicuous merits of the play consist in its perfect naturalness, its progressive interest, the consistency, variety, and vitality of its personalities, the deep emotional interest, of situations arising out of contrasted character, and the easy action of its hidden machinery. This work puts Mr. Ervine in the first rank of living dramatists. It may be commended confidently to all discerning readers on its literary merits. In the theatre it would be irresistible, if a competent cast could be found for it"—The Nation.
Four Irish Plays
Cloth, 12mo., $1.00
The plays are "Mixed Marriage," "The Magnanimous Lover," "The Critics," and "The Orangeman," first produced in 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914, respectively, the first three at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, and "The Orangeman" at the Palace Theatre, Maidstone.
"Establishes the author in the front rank of the realistic dramatists of the Irish Theatre.... As a veracious study of life and character among Irish working classes ... it is superior to anything written by Synge, Yeats, or Shaw.... The piece, in its realism, earnest purpose, and dramatic force, is worthy of John Galsworthy, and has the additional merit of being almost entirely free from anything like special pleading. Never prolix or oratorical, the compact and homely dialogue is full of shrewd observation and sage comments, pertinent to the contributory causes of a conel private and public tragedy.... The play is as able as it is significant, one well worthy of the boards of a National Theatre."—The Nation (Commenting on "Mixed Marriage," the first of these plays.)