PLAY OF SPANISH ORIGIN

"The Savants of Villatriste", a comedy in three acts by Santiago Rusinol, will be produced this afternoon at 2.15 o'clock in the Copley Theatre by the University Italian Club. This is the first dramatic venture of the club since the war, and the proceeds of the performance will be used to establish an Italian Scholarship Fund to be awarded by the University on the basis of character and a desire for American citizen-ship to a needy Italian boy wishing to obtain an education at this College.

The play, translated from Spanish in- to Italian, in which language it will be given entirely, has never before been produced in this country. The plot opens in the home of Dr. Spinosi, a pompous professor of Philosophy who, has founded at the provincial village of Villatriste an "Academy" devoted to research of a ponderous and complicated nature.

Marcella, the professor's young daughter, though in love with Enrico, an automobile merchant, has been promised in marriage to Dr. Dalmou, a verbose and egotistical habitue of the Academy. But Marcella, lacking the courage of defying her parents, sees no way out of her predicament, and life holds promise of a gloomy future.

Then there bursts into the village the radiant Guila, sister-in-law of Professor Spinosi, a fascinating woman whose metropolitan dress and manners shock the slumbering inhabitants into buzzing activity. All the men, young and old, flock around her, and inhale new life from her glowing personality and energetic example. Deftly she deals telling blows at the smug complacency of the Academy savants and as a final coup d'etat arranges the marriage of Marcella to Enrico.

Guila's mission ended, she brings her visit to a close; while the youth of the village find new joy in the spirit she has awakened within them and the outraged savants with a sigh of relief return to their pondering.

The scene of the play is entirely laid at the home of Professor Spinosi. The first act is in the dining room; the second one week later in the garden of the estate; the third in the dining room again on the following Saturday.