LAXDALE HALL

A gentle simmer of a Scotch broth is a far cry from the sinister Mr. Byculla and has for its theme (among others) the clash of an established way of life in the Western Highlands with the impact of present programs for living, about to be forcibly imposed. General Matheson's daughter, Catriona, is putting on a ""heathen"" play, and Euripides' work drives the minister from the cast; Swanson, a novelist in hiding, ruffles the minister because of a ludicrous mishap during the war; there is a band of commercial poachers who have bought out Matheson's gamekeeper; and Pettigrew, M.P., and his group that have been delegated to inquire into the necessity of a new road for Laxdale, together with his amorous wife add to the confusion. Pettigrew, who brands Laxdale as an ""insanitary snachronism"", is all for its abandonment but is well chivvied by the old woman and completely broken when connivance with the poachers threatens his reputation and Laxdale routs threats to its contented security. There's Swanson's solution to his need for anonymity, the gamekeeper's chance to get away from his thieving masters, the crazy chase after the gang, the climax of the play's production -- all a-bubble with good conversation and bright commentary. Linklater fans.