THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING

Amateur theatricals when amusing are usually so through previous acquaintance with the actors. The audience is seldom enthralled by a remarkable performance; it derives its pleasure from seeing old friends in strange guises. Even more so is this the case when those old friends are completely out of their element; when boys take girls' parts or vice versa.

The fact that a boy masquerading as a girl can be counted on for a goodly number of laughs has always insured the success of Hasty Pudding plays to their audiences. In the last two or three seasons this staff was leaned upon rather heavily, and although playing to full houses, the Pudding shows were rather weak.

The recently concluded season has seen a recuperation, and "Not Now,--Later" deserves to be ranked with the best of the Pudding opera. It was tuneful, well staged, and had its moments of humor. With these elements to support it, success was within its grasp. The unanimous opinion of those who saw it was, that far more than in recent years, had that success been achieved.

It is a not unwelcome pleasure, therefore, to see an amateur performance which for its success rests not on its amateurishness but rather on its sound theatrical value. The Pudding shows will draw them in regardless of real merit all along the tour and in Cambridge because of their appeal to Harvard followers. They do not need to be hits to have full houses. In view of this, it is gratifying to witness at the hands of this organization a production which can be placed with the best of college theatricals.