It is strange that appreciation of Federico Garcia Lorea, one of modern Spain's greatest poets, has been mostly academic in this country. Lorea wrote for performance: he was a poet of the people, giving voice to their emotions and raising their language to poetry. The Harvard Dramatic Club's production of one of his farces is commendable both for its success in being true to the folk spirit of Lorea. This success is mainly due to the superb acting of Joanna Brown, the leading lady, who is on stage for all but a few moments of the entire evening.

The play tells the story of an elderly shoemaker, whose young wife's flirtations and shrewishness anger him into desertion, while she battles with sinters and adverse public opinion. He later returns disguised as a puppeteer to re-enact their marriage and separation with puppets. After the shoemaker is assured of his wife's fidelity, he removes his disguise. The status quo ante bellum is then resumed as the shoemaker's prodigious wife is provoked to throw a fit at the final curtain.

The piece is a fairy tale. Although Lorea employs many local color expressions in his language, it is still easy to enjoy and understand the play.

Joanna Brown has a demanding role as the shoemaker's wife which she tills quite fetchingly. She screeches, dreams, and flirts most convincingly. Sherman Hawkins, as her husband, acted very well, but he did not seem old enough either in voice or make-up. His performance, however, in the puppet scene was delightfully witty. Richard Heffron was hilarious as the pulsive suitor, and Roger Butler as the youthful sympathiser of the shoemaker's wife was highly amusing. The chorus of "over-pious women" and neighbors, who periodically pass by the window of the shoemaker's house to pass moral judgement, was extremely humorous.

In addition to the novel choice of play, the HDC also displayed ingenuity in building their outdoor theatre in a most unlikely location -- in the courtyard between the Hygiene Building and the Grant Study. The area is not only well insulated from the wind but it is very tastefully decorated, in keeping with the charm of this particular play.