Centuries rolled back with the curtains at Agassiz Theatre last night, and onlookers were treated to a savory slice of Roman humor. The occasion was the opening of this year's Latin play, Plautus' "Mostellaria."

But besides pleasing lovers of antiquity, the Classical Players' latest, production contains situations so genuinely humorous that they have universal appeal. The story is about a young man who spends his father's money on a courtesan while the old fellow is out of town.

When the father returns, a crafty slave uses various gimmicks to hide the truth from him. The father is furious when he hears about his son's activities, until he learns that his son's friends will restore the squandered funds.

The east successfully overcomes its greatest handicap, making sure the people in the audience who don't know Latin know what's going on. This is done by providing program notes and exaggerating actions and tones of voice.

In doing so, however, the classical players tend occasionally to slip into some pretty low slapstick, For example a slave shows he is annoyed at his master by blowing his nose in his hand and snapping his wrist towards him.

Nathan A. Haverstock '53, as the father, was outstanding for keeping his acting comprehensible and avoiding vulgar hamming. Paul T. Broneer '51 gave a reasonably smooth performance as the crafty slave.

Rolaud F. Perkius '52 and Kenneth J. Rockford '54 were magnificent as a money-lender and old man respectively. This play goes on the boards at 3 p.m. today and again at 8.30 p.m. It is well worth seeing.