"A vivid play of the primitive" is Leon Gordon's description of his play, "White Cargo," in which he is now playing the leading role at the Selwyn Theatre. The author-actor adds that he has made no effort to create or eliminate sensationalism. Mr. Gordon hits the mark. The play is vivid, it is primitive, and both those who hope for and those who fear sordid sensationalism are disappointed.

Mr. Gordon says what he has to say in language that has only one meaning, yet any but the most puritanical auditors can leave their shock absorbers at home with perfect safety. The play deals with the debilitating effect of the West Africa climate on white men, who, it appears, must inevitably take either to drink or to native women. The subject is not one which lends itself to dainty dialogue, but Mr. Gordon exercises commendable restraint. Moreover, he proves conclusively that the proprieties are offended far less by calling a spade a spade than by hinting darkly of certain unnamed agricultural implements.

The first act is disappointing, largely because everyone except Mr. Gordon, who never fails to give just the right touch, insists upon speaking in unconvincingly melodramatic tones upon undeniably commonplace subjects. Thereafter the action becomes more brisk, and the melodramatic blah-blah, if not absent, is at least inconspicuous. The appearance of Miss Annette Margules as Tondeleyo, the white man's alternative, revives the waning interest of the audience no less than it does the lonely Englishmen. She shares with Mr. Gordon the acting honors of the evening.

Mr. Gordon is cast in a part of ample opportunities, opportunities which he realizes to the fullest. He plays the role of Witzel, an Englishman who has spent seven years at his African post at the cost of most of his ideals and all of his illusions. He renews the repetation as an actor which he won with Boston audiences at the Copley Theatre a few years ago, and he establishes himself for the first time as a successful playwright. For after all is over, it dawns upon us that the author of "White Cargo" really has something to say.