Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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Albee ' s Cafe W The University Theatre opened its 1977 fail season with Edward ' s adaptation of Carson McCuller ' s novella. The Ballad or the Sad Cafe. Set in a small town outside Society City, the play revolved around the lone- liness of society ' s outcasts. William Carter narrated the emotion-packed play. The production is focused on three characters. Amelia Evans (Diantha Pennington Roberts), the proprietor of the town ' s only store and cafe, marries Marvin Macy (Mark Walters). He goes to prison, and during his absence she falls in love with Cousin Lyman (Bill Durham). When Macy returns, the re- lationship becomes a sharp-pointed triangle — the focal point of the play ' s action. The Ballad of the Sad Cafe pre- sented a view of the longings of the human spirit to escape the imprison- ment of loneliness and to achieve identity. Ronald .Schiilt directed the play. From above left: Cafe patron.s stare unabashed at a confrontation between Cousin Lyman and Miss Amelia. Crazy Merlie Ryan (Jim Tolland) speculates on the outcome of a battle between Marvin Macy and Miss Amelia. Cousin Ly- man (Bill Durham) rushes from the porch to keep Miss Amelia (Diantha Pennington Roberts) from killing Marvin Macy (Mark Walters) in a fit of r.igc. 24Lh VenUna

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La Ventans-23

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r. V Elizabeth r The Tech audience experienced a confrontation with total theatre, according to director George Sorensen, when the University Theatre presented Elizabeth I Nov. 18-22. Using a theatrical device known as a rake (a raised platform often set at an angle), the cast performed as a company of actors in Elizabethan England, acting out the life of Good Queen Bess. There is a sense of contradiction in the play, Sorensen said. Actors in the play represent a period in English history, but as the play progresses they become very contemporary, especially in dialogue. We took the image of street theatre, with boards, mikes and scaffolds, and juxtaposed them with a traditional scene. Frequent problems with props, es- pecially microphones, hindered the play ' s success. However, a brilliant per- formance by Donna Dorsett as Eliza- beth, aided by an outstanding cast, made Elizabeth I a worthwhile en- deavor. Above: The troupe scrabbles among them- selves as they prepare to act out another scene from the life of Queen Elizabeth I. Left: Eliza- beth (Donna Dorsett) is sourrounded by her counsel (Brian Nobles, Tommy Culpepper and Matthew Posey) as she signs the death warrant for Mary, Queen of Scots.