THE ROTUNDA VOL. LV
LONGWOOD COLLEGE, FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1980
NO. 22
Players Production Of Classic Excellent house; the characters By DR. ROSEMARY SPRAGUE country are, seemingly, a mixed bag of Review of THE MOUSETRAP individuals who have no apparent THE MOUSETRAP, by the late connection with the terrible child Dame Agatha Christie, is most abuse case which occurred years certainly a classic of its kind. It ago on a neighboring farm. But has been running in London for trust Dame Agatha! Two of these over 25 years, and travellers to individuals were involved in it, that city have been known to and one meets her doom at the schedule their visits at a time end of Act I. By the end of Act II, when they can get tickets to that the "detective" turns out to be particular play. The reasons for the murderer, and — double its success were readily apparent whammy !-one of the suspects is to the audiences in Jarman revealed as the genuine Auditorium during the past week detective. The production by the end; THE MOUSETRAP is sheer entertainment and makes no Ixmgwood Players was excellent, apology for it! The old stage beginning with the eerie music as manager's decree— "Make 'em the house lights dimmed, which laugh, make 'em cry, make' 'em metamorphosed into a strident, wait!—was more than amply cacophonous rendition of "Three obeyed, at least in the first and Blind Mice," concluding with a blood-curdling scream. The set, third instances. Following her usual pattern, designed by Richard Gamble, Dame Agatha assembled a small was handsome—the hammer group of people in a place from beams looked really authentic, which escape is impossible, any rather than "stock-broker's one of whom may be the Tudor." The costumes could not murderer, all of whom are, at one have been better: Miss Who done it? Detective Sergerant Trotter (Randy Cook) was the time or another, prime suspects. Casewell's boots and jodphurs guilty party in Agatha Cristie's THE MOUSETRAP. Jxmgwood There is the inevitable clever helped to define her character Players staged the mystery last week on Jarman stage. detective, who somehow must visually in sharp contrast to Photo by Melody Crawley piece the hints together and Mollie Ralston's "British untangle the numerous skeins. married lady" dresses, and Mrs. The setting for THE Boyle's perfect matron's gown MOUSETRAP is a snowed-in and lorgnette. And what a relief
Press Conference
Emphasizes Future By DEBRA CUNNINGHAM Many issues were clarified at the Press Conference that was held Tuesday, April 22, in the I/)wer Dining Hall at 12:45 p.m. President Willett informed those who attended of the latest news on the decisions that had been reached on many issues. He made the announcement that the laundry operation will remain the same as it is now next year. There will also be an increase in tuition next semester which is common among the state supported institutions for the coming year. A decision to make a change in the noon dining for next semester has also been reached. This change is providing an alternative to family style dining which is what Longwood has now. There will be a fast-food line in the Lower Dining Hall, however, the family style dining will remain in the Upper Dining Hall. Also ARA is giving Longwood two soft-serve ice cream machines. These machines will be in the Upper Dining Hall. There was a question raised asking how close the number of Therapeutic Recreation majors were to the number of Physical Education majors. The answer was that the numbers were about even. Female and male athletes are allowed to register early. This is because they may be away from school at the time of regular registration due to an athletic event. Athletes also need to
schedule classes around their practicing times. It is not uncommon for athletes at a college to be allowed to register early. Another issue asked about was—where does the money from parking tickets and fines go to? The reply was that it goes into the budget with the rest of the funds for the college. A big issue discussed at the Press Conference was that Longwood is presently and will be in the future making more and more facilities available for the handicapped. This is due to a law that has recently been passed by the Federal Government requiring that all state supported institutions make their buildings accessible to handicapped individuals. Twelve students will be employed to monitor activities held by student organizations. These students will be hired under the student wage. The hiring of these Auxiliary Police will cut down on the cost for the organizations when they need to hire police for certain activities. These Auxiliary Police will be trained in a special training session.House organized by Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Couture and several history students. . Another question that was raised came from the Rugby team. This question pertained to what training field could they use. They are presently using a field that is across from the President's estate.
student Government Association LONGV/OOD COLLEGE
rarmville, Virginia To members of the Ixmgwood College community and other concerned individuals: From this date forward I, Sally Lowe as Chairman of Judicial Board, and Judicial Board as a whole will no longer investigate or try narcotics cases on the Ixmgwood College campus. It is the purpose of this letter to stipulate and explain our reasons for taking such action. A. The purpose of the Judicial Board is to uphold the Honor Code. Possession and or use of illegal narcotics is not an Honor Code offense. The handling of such cases imposes a policing function on the Judicial Board which renders the function of safeguarding the Honor Code less effective and lowers the respect shown by the student body to the Judicial Board. B. tack of effective aid by Campus Police: Because of the limitations set upon them, Campus Police are not a useful aid in the searching of rooms and the protection of students. C. Lack of professional training: Students are not professionals trained in the detection and confiscation of illegal narcotics. D. Danger to Judicial Board members: There is a danger to both Judicial Board members and investigators, not only during investigations, but also as long as any student who is vindictive or poses a possible threat remains on this campus. E. Violation of student rights: Most students at Ixmgwood are of adult age and should be subjected to the laws of the state of Virginia above and beyond those of Ixmgwood College. F. Administrative Intervention: It seems to the Judicial Board, and, we believe, to many members of the student body as well, that some cases are not handled in a fair and impartial manner by some members of the college administration. The Board feels that in certain cases their decisions have been overturned without clear or substantial reasons being given. In closing it should be noted that repeated efforts to change the system through the proper channels have been made; however, the results of the changes made were not substantial enough to effectively improve the system. On behalf of Judicial Board, Respectively Submitted, Sally D. Lowe Chairman of Judicial Board
to see the men wearing hats— and looking well in them, too! The cast, under I-ockwood's expert direction, performed extremely well; they paced their lines properly, they listened and reacted to each other, and gave the impression that they were really enjoying their work. Frank Creasy, as Mr. Paravacini, displayed a hither to unsuspected talent for comedy; his Continental manner provided many moments of comic relief, while his sinister laugh at times made him suspect number one. Jeff Sledjeski, as Major Metcalf, was properly military and stuffy, until his unmasking during the last moments of the play; and Vicki Mann, as Mrs. Boyle, playing a role which could easily have become a caricature, was as superb a British matron as ever cut a ribbon at a church bazaar. Chris Conner was right, too, as the bogus architect Christopher Wrenn, with his selfpity and macho bravado. Dale Roller and Melanie Hudnall, as Giles and Mollie Ralston, the beleagured husband and wife who operate the guest house, were both sympathetic and completely believable. Lisa Hughes, as Miss Case well, had perhaps the most difficult role— on the surface where is a brash, liberated young women, a "pale pink Socialist"- but she harbors a secret fear that her brother may be a murderer. Miss Hughes' performance was splendid, especially after the moment of recognition in Act II, until she finally prevents him from strangling Mollie. And Randy Cook, as Detective Sergeant Trotter, turned in an equally good performance in the schizophrenic role of the dominating detective who gradually disintegrates into the murderer. There were many moments in this production which deserve special mention: for example, the instant antagonism generated at the first meeting between Giles Ralston and Christopher Wrennthey reacted like strange bulldogs in a small parlor. Ralston's imitation of Wrenn was a comic highlight, as were Miss Casewell's Amazonian handshake and Mr. Paravacini's appreciation of Mollie. Especially good was the quiet moving scene between Mollie and Christopher Wrenn in Act II. And those ridiculous anniversary presents! These were the nuances, the "grace notes" as David Belasco called them, that raised THE MOUSETRAP from claptrap to theatre. Perhaps the reason that the audience reacted so enthusiastically, indeed volubly, is because we need more theatre of the kind that this play, and the also excellent CAROUSEL, have brought u.s this year. Somehow we occasionally need escape from a world that is 'too much with us," and what better place than in a "two-hour traffic of a play?"