THE RADCLIFFE REFUSAL

The decision of Dean Brown of Radcliffe in refusing to allow the amateur actresses of that college to cooperate in the Harvard Dramatic Club production of Molnar's "Olympia" is quite natural and expected under the circumstances. Molnar's brilliant and finished comedies are not likely to be considered suitable for undergraduate production by the Dean of the average woman's college. In this case motives of prudery were perhaps bolstered by the thought that "Olympia" is not one of Molnar's outstanding plays.

The final argument against Radcliffe participation advanced by Dean Brown, to the effect that the play is too difficult for amateurs, should not and will not be accepted by the Harvard Dramatic Club. The dramatic organization of a university community should produce plays of artistic merit which, lacking commercial value, are not generally produced. Supposedly Cambridge will support such plays. The ability of the Harvard Dramatic Club to produce them effectively is tested by that support, not by preconceived ideas of what amateurs can or cannot do.