f -13-. Thereafter the play develops into a houseparty run by the young folk, with the customary quarrels, (Selina and Vane being particularly "catty" to one another), and with the anticipated series of accidents. The housekeeping money is used up on the first night with a dinner and a show, leaving the party to walk most of the eight miles back. An intended party is cancelled, owing to lack of funds, and the guests are driven away by ingen ious "spontaneous" excuses from Puddifer. The parrot passes peacefully away, thanks to someone's liberality with the ham. A game of cricket results in the smashing of an irate neighbour's conservatory,of his prize orchid, and of his gardner's head. In a shooting bout the oil-painting of grandfather loses an eye,and to crown all, cock leaves, after some "fireworks". At this critical stage Mr. More11, a fearsome looking gen tleman, arrives, to take away his son and daughter, -who, it appears,wearied by parental oppression, have run away from home. Just as Viiarwick Entv/histle is in the midst of a loya1harangue on the virtues of his father, the latter returns, with his mother. The misfortunes of the past days are outlined, somewhat to Mr. Entnrhistle's amuzement. Breese somewhat awkwardly explains that he (aged 16) and Winnie (aged 15) have just decided that it would be jolly fine to get married - his chief qualifications, for her hand,apparently, being his leadership of the 2nd XI, and his ability to waggle his ears. The father kindly disposes of this idea, and.realising that they have all had a lesson, brings the play to an end with the startling suggestion that h® will give a party I A play of this nature is more difficult for amateurs than appears at first sight. In many ways the modern play.is harder to present than the classical play. In the:lattetrhe costumes, the dignity of the actors, and the polished speeches:combine to create an atmosphere that prevents the play from ever becoming a complete failure. On the ot.her hand, "The Rising Generation" has a modern setting, there is no "atmosphere" and the conver sation is such as one might overhear anywhere.. The actors were acting theirown lives - as schoolboys -and this is a very dif ficult task. It is easier to project oneself into an unfamiliar role than to be oneself on the stage. And it is for this reason that the older characters of this play were more convincingly
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