SUPPORT FRESHMAN PRODUCTION
THE ROTUNDA VOL. LIV
LONGWOOD COLLEGE, FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27,1979
No. 17
Classic Enlightens Jarman Stage REVIEWED By ROSEMARY SPRAGUE Of all the plays written by William Shakespeare, THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENARK is the acknowledged theatrical favorite. From the moment of its first production, it was recognized as a superb vehicle for actors, and the title role has been essayed by almost all the greatest actors at some time in their lives. Even Sarah Bernhardt included it in her repetoire, though it was not one of her greatest successes. The complexity and depth of the play, stemming from a single, apparently simple question—i.e. what does one individual do when he is the only one who knows 'what is rotten in the state of Denmark—" can lead to a variety of interpretation, including the rather amazing recent production in East Germany where Hamlet is presented as a young proletarian confronting a corrupt establishment! And then there was the John Barrymore production of the early 20's which gave full attention to Earnest Jones's oedipal interpretation as the source of Hamlet's dilemma. However, inevitably the play itself triumphs, and even those members of any audience who are thoroughly familiar with the play find themselves caught up in the magnificent language, the exciting intrigue, and the "tragedy of blood" finale.
Audiences who viewed the Ix)ngwood Players production, staged at Jarman auditorium this past week, were no exception. The set, which was immediately visible upon our entering the theatre, was properly gloomy and sinister, highly effective, though this reviewer found the mossy, or was it seaweed?, festooning a trifle disconcerting, more reminiscent of the domain of the "Forsaken Merman" than of a royal castle. Fortunately the necessary opulence and power for which Claudius committed his crime were provided by brilliant lighting effects and even more by the gorgeous costumes. That is, with one exception; Osric's pink page-boy outfit with its Robin Hood hat was more appropriate to the Forest of Arden than to Kronberg Castle. Osric is certainly intended to be a silly fop, a fashion-plate, but he also referees the duel, so he should look as though he were capable of that task. Mary Diller who played the role, deserves much credit for attempting it in the first place, and then managing to overcome a first visual impression that was so at variance with the scene. The acting overall was competent, at many points exceptionally good, at times excellent. Leon Young and Buddy Bourne, as Rosencrantz and Gildenstern, did nobly by their "knife and fork" roles, and Kit Orsi was consistently believable and interesting as Polonius.
Frank Creasy, too, did a good job with Horatio, though he did not always maintain that quality of sophistication and worldly wisdom needed to balance the guards' credulity in scene one, and to make his own reluctant acceptance of the ghost seem really reluctant. The ghost was well played by Ged Oakley, and I liked his entrances from the pit. Christopher Conner, as Claudius, was not as dominating in the role as the play demands. Theatrically speaking, neither the audience nor Hamlet is aware that he is a "smiling villain" at his first entrance, so he should exude immediately a sense of power and penache. This Connor did not provide, nor did he indicate any of Claudius's sensual qualities which would explain why Gertrude fell for him in the first place. His gestures were too frequent and fussy. He was better in Act II, but Claudius's genuine terror at Hamlet's discovery of the secret could not, in Connor's performance, contrast effectively with the sauve selfconfidence which should have been visible in Act. I. Diahn Simonini and LB. Dent turned in their usual professional calibre performances as Gertrude and the gravedigger. Miss Simonini played the "closet scene" beautifully, and also the scene of Laertes' return, especially when she told of Ophelia's death. Dent's role was small, but he made the most of it;
his by-play when Laertes and Hamlet confront each other in the churchyard scene added that note of terror and tension that was needed, without detracting from the central action. Jeffrey Hux, as Laertes, filled the requirements of the role, except for a tendency to shout his lines, especially in the churchyard scene. Also, Laertes is actually a "junior villain" who, had he been allowed to live, might have been another Claudius, and Hux needed to make more of the sinister qualities beneath the veneer of courtliness. Diana Wright was properly pathetic as Ophelia, but somehow her performance never quite jelled. Shakespeare made her the good, obediant daughter and sister, but she also has
flashes of wit and spirit which did not come through last Thursday evening. Miss Wright was almost too casual about Hamlet's insults in the play scene, and while her "mad scene" was poignant, it was too slowly paced. In fact, the chief problem of last Thursday evening's performance evolved from the matter of pace and timing. Even Thomas Willis, who plays the title role extremely well, had a tendency to drag lines and prolong pauses, and to delay movements. Some of his exits were too slow, especially the one at the conclusion of the play scene, when the line "The play's the thing," etc. should be followed by a mad dash off stage indicative of Hamlet's nearly (Continued on Page 8)
SGA Day Is March 1
The presence of snow brings with It Joy and the lightening of spirits, through its silent eloquence. It livens the creativity of minds, young and old, and moves the hands of artistic talent to mold this frozen matter into forms of simple, yet wondrous beauty. Photos by-Bo Pnchard, Melody Crawley Sculptures by-*heila Craflum, Cricket Cordes and Linda Mall
By DEBBIE NORTHERN Student Government Day on March 1 will afford students the opportunity to meet with the faculty and staff on a one-to-one basis to ask questions and discover exactly what their function is. Around 40 administration and faculty members will be participating in the day's activities. At 9:30 a.m., all interested students are invited to a staff meeting in the banquet room. Sign up sheets will be posted on the bulletin board until 9 p.m. tonight in order to eat with a faculty or administration member at 12:15 in the dining hall or to attend the banquet in the Commonwealth Room from 56 p.m. Also students are invited to sign up to meet with an administrative and faculty member in order to find out exactly what they do each day The purpose of Student Government Day is to facilitate communication between students
and staff. "We need student participation," says SGD cochairman Christi I<ewis. "It is a good way to find out how the administration and staff feel," she added. The other cochairman for this event is Sharon Harrup.
Snow Davs According to President Henry I.Willett Jr., the two days that classes were cancelled due to snow will not have to be made up. The only change in the school calendar will be that the due date for estimates will be moved back. All other dates will remain the same as previously scheduled. He also added that individual professors might possibly schedule make-up dates for certain classes. (An example given was tabs.)