YOUTH CLUBS READ THESE
The Vineyard. By the Earl of Longford. (Ilodges, Figgis, Dublin, Is. 6d.) Golden Priest. By Aodh de Blacam, (Gill, Dublin, 2s. fela Reviewed by a Priest Youth-worker
THOSE who are interested in drama should read The Vine)'ard, by the Earl of Longford, and Golden Priest, by Aodh de Blacam.
The former. which deals with the mission of Elias as denouncer' of judgment on apostate Israel, evinces characteristic differences between saints and sinners. After miraculously providing for the famine-stricken widow of Sarephta and restoring life to her son, Elias terminates the drought to the utter confusion of Baal's false prophets and the disgust of Israel's Baalite queen Jezebel, whereupon he flees to Mount Horeb and is granted a vision of God. Meantime Achab, king of Israel, anxious to eglarge his estate, obtains possession of a neighbouring vineyard by allowing the judicial murder of its rightful owner. Elias returns and recILICeN ACtlab to penance as the wicked Jezebel, overjoyed by her husband's acquisition but dismayed by his remorse, exuberates in the bridal procession of their daughter Athalia.
With eight male and four female leading characters, a cast of about thirty is needed for this three-act play which should take approximately two hours to perform. On the whole the production, including sound and lighting effects, should be simple. The script, sometimes very amusing. is in attractive modern English and manifests the author's profound knowledge of his subject.
GOLDEN PRIEST is essentially an Irish play which should meet with success in this country, for it throe s a rare light on the Trish character, provides a study of typical Irish humour, rightly portrays the loyalty to Catholicism of Erin's sons, and imparts lessons on the value of the Mass, forgiveness and humility.
Like The Vineyard, this play consists of three acts, requires a cast of thirty or so, and should last about two hours.
Unfortunately the thirteen leading characters arc male and eight of these, at least, need to be Irishmen. Apart from this no serious difficulties should arise and great help is given to producers by illustrations and notes contained in the present edition.
Both of these works are a source of great encouragement to those who understand the educational as well as the entertaining value of drama, and they come at a time when Catholic Youth Leaders need them. Let us hope that the standard and example set by these two authors will inspire other English-speaking playwrights to produce works on similar lines.