Life, 1927-11-17 · page 28 of 48
Life — November 17, 1927 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This one-act play parodies the rigid class anxieties of early 20th-century American high society. The plot mocks upper-class obsession with social rank: a wealthy mother forbids her son Gregory from marrying a ballet dancer (Esther) of "humble birth," insisting he marry the socially appropriate Miss O'Hara instead. The satire's twist: Esther is revealed to be the *true* Miss O'Hara—switched in infancy by a nurse—while Suzanne is actually the ballet girl. This reversal ridicules the notion that breeding and worthiness depend on birth rather than character. The nurse's Irish brogue ("Begorra") and final stabbing add melodramatic absurdity. The page's title—"Clean Comedies for Church and School"—is itself ironic, as the play gently critiques the vanity and moral blindness of the society matrons who would approve such material for wholesome audiences. It's educational satire about the foolishness of class prejudice.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CLEAN COMEDIES FOR Pex | CHURCH SCHOOL “A Matter of Breeding” -eee An Elegant Drama of High Society CHARACTERS Hon. Grecory Deroy, A young swell Mrs. Detroy, His mother, a Society leader Estier Tancay, A ballet dancer, beloved by Gregory Miss Suzanne O'Hara, A young lady of fashion Brivcer..... «Suzanne's old nurse Scene: A Fashionable Drawing- Room in New York. RS. DELROY (to her son) Gregory, it is now hig time you were married and established, and after careful search I have at last found a young person your equal in family fortunes and accomplishments. She is a Miss Suzanne O'Hara. You will espouse her. It is my wish. (Enter Sv- ZANNE.) Gnecory; Nay, Mother, I cannot. My affections are already bestowed upon a girl of humble birth, a simple ballet dancer. (Enter Estuer.) Why, here she comes now. My Mother—Miss Esther Tangay. We are engaged to be married. Mrs. Detnoy (examining Ester through a lorgnett Married ? But think of the difference in your stations. Think of our rank, Think of our box at the opera. Svzaxxe: And what would So- ciety say? A ballet dancer, indeed! No decent house would receive her. Mrs. Detroy: Suzanne is right, Gregory. You cannot marry this creature. Garcony: But, Mother, I love he She is like wine iny veins. Mrs. Deroy (to Estien): And do you love my son? Esture: True love is all a woman has to give. I do. Mrs. DeLroy (aside): The best blood of New York is insulted by this match, I must ex- pose her. (To Es THER.) I me, my child, who was your mother before Mrs. Detnoy: It is as I feared. (To Grecory.) See, Gregory, what disgrace you would have brought upon our proud name. Your en- gagement to Miss O'Hara will be announced to-morrow. Greoor It is so. I will perform my duty though it break my heart. (Ile em braces Suzanne.) Suzanne Ah, happiness. Mrs. DeLroy: Spoken like a man, my son. (To Es turn.) Woman, there is the door. Go! Esturr: I go. I have learned my les- son and in future I shall try to be co! tent with that stal in life to which it has was married ? ' pleased God to call Esturr (aside): MY SOCIAL POSITION me. (She starts to Alas, my secret is go.) out. (Aloud, drawing herself up to her full height.) My mother was DIVORCED! Mrs. Detroy: Ah. And was your father in trade? Estuer (hanging her head): He He owned a steel mill. Buiwart (rushing in): Begorra, me ould conscience has been a-troub- lin’ me. (Pointing to Esturr.) She is no ballet girl. She is the rightful Miss O'Hara. Suzanne (turning pale): Then I am not what I seem? V I then a spurious child changed in the cradle by an unnatural nurse? Brit changed you meself. You are a bal- let girl, begorra! Esturr: Then shall I be a lady? Grecony: No. You shall be my vife. (He folds her in his arms.) Suzanne: But what is to become of my social position? Brivert: Kind hearts are more than coronets and simple faith than Norman blood, begorra. (She is stabbed by Suzannr, and falls R. C. as, Tue Curtain Gors Down.) Begorra, you were. I “WE ARE ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED.” W.W. Scott. comicbooks.com