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Show "The Land of Heart's Desire"The first annual play of the "Order of the Gleam " o N the evening of February 15, 1909, the students and friends of the University were entertained by the "Order of the Gleam" in an admirable production of Yeat's drama, "The Land of Heart's Desire."In this little play the author has proved the contention, which has long existed between Irish writers, that there is sufficient literary material in fairy tales for dramatic purposes. The plot of "The Land of Heart's Desire" is derived from the well known folk legend that the souls of newly wedded brides may be stolen by fairies after twilight on May eve. In addition to this main legend, Yeats has also employed several minor folk superstitions, such as the flinging of primroses for good luck and the fateful coming of the "good people" to ask for milk and fire.By the use of this folk lore the author revives the old Celtic sentiment and procures a general atmosphere so wierdly charming that it appeals irresistibly to men of any nationality. The marvelous simplicity and beauty of the language, combined with the skillful interweaving of sentiment, stamps "The Land of Heart's Desire" as a delightful piece of pure literature.Obviously this is the type of drama which the "Order of the Gleam," as a literary society, should attempt to produce. By presenting a play of such high literary standard, instead of a frivolous production, the "Gleam" performed its duty both to itself and to the students in general.The quiet approbation with which the audience received the play proved that they both liked and appreciated it. The "Gleam" and the other students are directly indebted for this production to the following persons:Maurlein Bruin-a peasant............Maud L'AmphereShawn Bruin-his son................Nora NoallFather Hart-a priest...............Laura GardnerBridget Bruin-Maurlein's wife...........Nora PendletonMaire Bruin-their daughter-in-law.........Miriam ThurmanFairy................... Welthea Learned(135) |