New Britain herald., 1928-12-12
AUSPICI0US START
 FOR DRAMA LEAGUE
Enthusiasm of Audience Marks
 Initial Presentations

Presenting three one-act plays. the New Britain Drama league made its bow to the public last evening in the auditorium of the Camp school on Prospect street. Several hun dred supporters and friends of men and women in the casts were pres ent. gathered, as it were. at clinic of the drama and prepared to ob- serve sharply all that transpired. Opinion expressed at the end of the evening was that the league had made an exceedingly suspicious be- ginning. so good, in fact. that there should be no turning back.
 The object of the Drama league is to foster the production of worth while plays which can be staged by non-professionals with the ultimate goal of developing whatever drama tic talent lies latent in New Brit ain. It is likewise expected that at some future day more pretentious entertainments will be brought to this city under the aegis of the league and presented in a theater. the Russwin Lyceum probably.
 But for the present the league will give two or three bills year. se- lecting those suitable to amateurs and containing the best elements of theatrical entertainment.
 In choosing the opening bill. the committee seemed to have an eye to variety. The curtain was raised-or drawn aside-with period play having the atmosphere of France in the erotic 18th century. The second presentation was a light comedy. The third was a drama. The fare suited all appetites and each was warmly received.
 Love Watches" adapted by Miss Ruth c. Bassette from the story by Ernest Goodwin. gave Miss Bassette an opportunity to express her emo tional talents. Her role. that of Adelesa, was ably handled. She was the central figure in the plot. Other members of the cast were Alfred Bengston. Robert Andrews, Thure Johnson and Dr. Richard w. Pullen.
 Comedy was provided in "The Dear Departed by Stanley Tough ton. This concerned the rivalry of two families for the earthly goods and possessions of Grandpa" whose demise was sudden. It showed hu- man nature at it's funniest. The sit nations were sharply depicted and the humor, of which amateurs us-
 
 done. The story was told and acted, but not clowned. This was offered by Mrs. J. H. Mulligan, Estelle Gould, A. M. Beardsley. Mrs. N. c. Avery, Rev. T. s. Dunn and Howard Y. stearna
 The locale of ''The Valiant" the third play, was in the office of the warden at Wethersfield prison half an hour before a condemned prison CT is to be hanged It was written by Robert Middlemas, professional actor whose home was formerly in this city. ip collaboration with Hol- worthy Hall, whose real name is something or other Porter. When MT. Porter was a student at Har- ward university he lived in build ing known as Holworthy hall. Later, when he began to contribute short stories to magazines. he adopted the name of his former domicile for his nom de plume. He and MT. niddlemas fashioned gripping dramatic gem in '"The Valiant" The casting committee of the Drama ieague-if there Is such a commit tee-did a splendid job in selecting actors for its production.
 Rev. William H. Alderson played the character of the condemned man as convincingly as it would be possible for a professional to do. He has good stage presence and a pro- ; per appreciation Of dramatic values. His characterization of the prisoner