BRITISH DRAMA. By Allardyce Nicoll. (Harrap. 12s. 6d. net.) PROFESSOR
Nicou.'s new survey of the British Drama is not likely to increase his reputation. Apart from its summaries of the author's previously published works on Restoration and early eighteenth-century drama, and some important little- known illustrations, the book is of small value. The account of the nineteenth century is confused. The author seems out . of touch with the mental processes of the modern world, and brings a naivete to his discussion of recent native, and foreign plays that leads us to suspect his opinions on earlier work. There is profusion of comment, but hardly a sign of critical capacity. Professor Nicoll may be fond of drama and may understand the nature of dramatic and theatrical activity, but there is nothing in his book to tell us so. A Professor of English Literature may be forgiven for telling twentieth-century readers that " Marinetti is a pronounced modernist," and that " The art of film-making is a high one," but scarcely for saying that a certain revival was due " to a series of various causes."
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