Robert E. Sherwood, a playwright of significant influence, was known for crafting plays that, although not always profound, often resonated emotionally with audiences. His works consistently mirrored his pacifist ideals and tackled social issues with a blend of urbane wit and idealism. Yet, despite their initial impact, many of Sherwood's plays seem slightly out of step with contemporary sensibilities, reflecting the shifting cultural context from which they emerged.

Recurring Themes in Sherwood's Plays

A dominant theme across Sherwood's body of work is pacifism, a topic he explored in various plays, including There Shall Be No Night. While grappling with the futility of war, Sherwood's plays often depicted characters caught in moral dilemmas, torn between idealism and the harsh realities of an aggressive world. In this particular play, Sherwood was compelled to advocate for resistance against genocidal aggression, marking a departure from his typical idealism.

The Road to Rome

Sherwood's early play, The Road to Rome, exemplifies his approach to pacifism and human conflict. Set against an ancient Roman backdrop, the play daringly incorporates modern slang and themes into its narrative. It humorously speculates on why Hannibal retreated from a potentially decisive victory over Rome, attributing his withdrawal to the charms of Amytis, the wife of Rome's dictator, Fabius Maximus. This subplot, alongside the love story of two slaves, Meta and Varius, satirizes post-World War I American society, contrasting rigid social conventions with individual daring and wit.

The Love Nest and The Queen’s Husband

Despite its promising source material, The Love Nest failed both critically and commercially, possibly due to its unconvincing psychological depth and uneven dramatic tension. Sherwood's subsequent play, The Queen’s Husband, found moderate success by offering a whimsical critique of monarchy and military power. The play humorously subverts authority through the wit of its protagonist, Eric VIII, who undermines the military's authoritarian plans, ultimately orchestrating a fairy-tale resolution.

Waterloo Bridge and This Is New York

The play Waterloo Bridge struggled to captivate audiences, only finding greater success in its later cinematic adaptations. Its plot, rooted in Sherwood's personal experiences in London, explores themes of innocence, love, and societal constraints, but devolves into sentimentality and lacks the wit that characterized some of Sherwood's more successful works. Similarly, This Is New York offered a commentary on provincialism and hypocrisy, juxtaposing Midwestern rigidness against the vibrancy of New York's underbelly, underscoring Sherwood's evolving ability to create engaging dramatic microcosms.

Reunion in Vienna

Sherwood's Reunion in Vienna marked a return to form, achieving both popularity and critical acclaim. The play showcased Sherwood's signature wit while addressing themes of nostalgia and the passage of time. Set in Vienna, it pits the romantic past of an exiled Habsburg archduke against the practical reality of the bourgeoisie, deftly exploring the tension between emotion and reason in human relationships.

Acropolis

Acropolis was Sherwood's attempt to grapple with deeper philosophical themes of human dignity and freedom, though its execution fell short. Largely a commercial failure, the play underwent multiple revisions and remained unpublished, representing Sherwood’s struggle to align his writing with his shifting ideological stance during the early 1930s.

The Petrified Forest

The Petrified Forest became a notable success, both on stage and as a film. Set against the stark backdrop of Arizona's barren landscapes, the play examines themes of societal stagnation and the fading pioneer spirit. Its characters, trapped in a desert café, symbolize the broader existential struggles of the era, with Sherwood reflecting on the decline of traditional ideals amidst modern uncertainties.

Idiot’s Delight

In Idiot’s Delight , Sherwood again orchestrated a diverse ensemble within a confined setting to explore tension and...