New Theatre Workshop: II

Production of student-written plays by student actors is not only a great step in the revitalization of Harvard theatre; in the hands of the New Theatre Workshop it promises many afternoons of excellent entertainment. With yesterday's presentation of two notable one act plays, Stan's Girl, by Robert Schwarz, and The Eighth Day, by Andre Gregory, the Workshop scored another marked success.

The choice of the two plays was well-considered. Schwarz' compact, realistic drama and Gregory's more experimental work set each other off to advantage and provided opportunities for a considerable range of dramatic expression.

Stan's Girl was the more workmanlike of the two, although the less ambitious. With every superfluity chopped from the dialogue and action, the play had a fresh spirit which held the constant attention of the audience. Schwarz' portrayal of a tough, young worker, in the role of Herbie, was straightforward and extremely convincing. He avoided the exaggeration which could easily have spoiled the role.

Elinor Fuchs handled the part of Millie, his girl friend, with the nervous intensity necessary to the situation, Burdened with some maudlin lines, Tom Whedon did a reasonable job in the somewhat poorly integrated character of Stan.

Lack of understanding or vigor on the part of two central characters--Arthur Loeb as the Captain and Colgate Salisbury as Bellamy--weakened The Eighth Day. Self-consciously experimental to begin with, the play relied heavily on these two roles for continuity.

Although it failed to convey a rather ambitious religious message because of the weakness of these performances, the play was saved as a piece of theatre by Gregory's witty dialogue and a series of excellent characterizations. Pippa Scott, Dean Gitter, and Courtlandt Gilmour spoke their lines with obvious relish and enthusiasm. Miss Scott's delivery as the Mother was delightful, and Gitter did especially well in the role of a businessman. Gilmour handled his part with suitable levity.

Gregory's handling of a complex idea, while not finally successful, made The Eighth Day the more interesting of the two productions.