Salt Lake Telegram | 1928-07-15 | Page 4 | Utah University Student Plays Compiled in Book

I Utah University Student Plays Compiled in Book Wide Vide Variety of Subject Matter Marks Compositions of Contributors By HELEN GARRITY University of Utah Plays the first volume of original student compositions to be published In the state came from the press recently a compact and illuminating Index to the capabilities of the young writers whose works are Included The publication of the book is due entirely to the untiring efforts of B. B Roland Lewis Leiis professor ot of Englis English En- En glish glis at the university In a scholarly Introduction Professor Protessor Pro Pro- fessor L Lewis wis explaIns his Ideas on the purpose and essential elements of play writing stressing the value alue ot of emotion In dramatic productions The seven pla plays s 's used in the book illustrate the various points lie he wishes to mal make e clear Two allegorical plays plas by Althea Thurston are prInted In one T The Exchange several characters realIze realize real real- ize too late the fallacy ot of the latitude lati- lati tude the grass In the other persons person's persons person's per per- sons son's garden etc The falls to the sound of glee from an Imp who has been doing clerical work throughout the brief disclosure on human frailties for the judge identity unknown In And the Devil Laughs the same ame idea Is carried out only this time the more picturesque version of Satan red suit horns and tail Is used Why Is the devils devUs sense ot of humor so unvarying But perhaps it is all for the best for tor who could bear up under the shock of hearing that the Prince of Darkness instead of emitting an Ironical laugh smiled whimsically or chuckled with kindly amusement Brutal injustice Is the thought Robert Edwin Stoker wishes to get over in his effort The Boomer Black Luke the guide for a pioneer pio- pio fleer neer group uses bad grammar and refuses to argue with young Hugh In fact he shoots him down in cold blood bloo Oh God I 1 did it cries beautiful Betty who illustrates the l la femme theory But Black Luke is presed and stands glaring with fierce cruel satisfaction a as' as the curtain falls The Turkey GIrl by Sarah M. M Williams is set among the ancient Zuni Indians and depicts a disobedient disobedient Cinderella who was reduced again to rags Her fairy godmother er was a a. turkey gobbler and her prince became surly and hateful upon discovering her identity To quote Professor LewIs If We descend descend de- de to didactic we ive might say If the Turkey GIrl had only remained true to her trust she would not have suffered di dig grace But this is insipid This is moralizing Art is above that sort of thing The Gray Switch a pitiful depIction depiction de- de of illiterate economy by Sam Keener J. J Douglas Cooks Cook's A Man Manof Manof of Temperament giving a new light on Edgar Allan Poe and Olive Frank Wooleys Wooley's Sara complete the volume Miss Woolley with artistic ar- ar perception creates from an Old Testament myth an appealing portrayal of human nature Only four other universities throughout the country have encouraged en encouraged en- en amateur wrIting by su such sucha h ha a publication as this Professor sor Lewis is to be commended for his splendid service In promoting student student stu- stu dent talent In Utah John W. W Luce Co publishers Boston Mass 1