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Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a student and a librarian.
Librarian
Can I help you?
Student
Yeah, I need to find a review. It’s for my English class. We have to find reviews of the play we’re reading. But they have to be from when the play was first performed— so I need to know when that was . . . and I suppose I should start with newspaper reviews...
Librarian
Contemporary reviews.
Student
Sorry?
Librarian
You want contemporary reviews. What’s the name of the play?
Student
It’s Happy Strangers. It was written in 1962 and we’re supposed to write about its influence on American theater—show why it’s been so important.
Librarian
Well, that certainly explains why your professor wants you to read some of those old reviews. The critics really tore the play to pieces when it opened. It was just so controversial—nobody’d ever seen anything like it on the stage.
Student
Really? It was that big a deal?
Librarian
Oh sure. Of course, the critics’ reaction made some people kinda curious about it; they wanted to see what was causing all the fuss. In fact, we were on vacation in New York—I had to be, oh around sixteen or so—and my parents took me to see it. That would’ve been about 1965.
Student
So that was the year it premiered? Great! But. . . newspapers from back then aren’t online, so how do I.. .
Librarian
Well, we have copies of old newspapers in the basement, and all the major papers publish reference guides to their articles, reviews, etc. You’ll find them in the reference stacks in back. But I’d start with 1964. I think the play’d been running for a little while when I saw it.
Student
Oh, how’d you like it? I mean it’s just two characters onstage hanging around and basically doing nothing.
Librarian
Well, I was impressed: the actors were famous and, besides, it was my first time in a real theater. But you’re right—it was definitely different from any plays that we’d read in high school. Of course, in a small town, the assignments are pretty traditional.
Student
I’ve only read it, but it doesn’t seem like it’d be much fun to watch. The story doesn’t progress in a, in any sort of logical manner. It doesn’t have any real ending either. It just stops. Honestly, y’know, I thought it was kinda slow and boring.
Librarian
Well, I guess you might think that, but when I saw it back then it was anything but boring! Some parts were really funny—but I remember crying, too. But I’m not sure just reading it... You know, they’ve done this play at least once on campus. I’m sure there’s a tape of the play in our video library. You might want to borrow it.
Student
That’s a good idea. I’ll have a better idea of what I really think of it—before I read those reviews.
Librarian
I’m sure you’ll be surprised that anyone ever found it radical—but you’ll see why it’s still powerful—dramatically speaking.
Student
Well, there must be something about it or the professor wouldn’t have assigned it. I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

Narrator
Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question.
Student
I suppose I should start with newspaper reviews . ..
Librarian
Contemporary reviews.
Student
Sorry?
Librarian
You want contemporary reviews. What’s the name of the play?
Narrator
Why does the woman say this:
Librarian
Contemporary reviews.