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

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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.

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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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iiic : cnooi For Scandal ( sprightly comedy of courtly man by Richard Brinsley Sheridan ; lie School for Scandal was presenteci at the University Theatre March 10-15 The eighteenth century classic thai first ran in England in 1777 was dir- ected at Tech by Ronald Schultz. The School for Scandal pokes fun at sentimental comedy and shows the comic results of scandalmongering The tone of the play is set by Lad Sneerwell (Janey Burgess) and her unscrupulous band of scandalmong- e rs who gossip and spread rumors about everyone. Central to the plot are Charles Surface (William Carter), the likeable prodigal and his brother Joseph (Doug Cummins), who is held up as a model of prudence and virtue. Both pursue Maria (Laura Clay), the ward of Sir Peter Teazle (Tom Francis) — Charles for her love, Joseph for her money. The real point of the play — the distinction between true virtue and pious remarks — is treated with such humor and sophistication that it ' s more serious aspects never quite come to the fore. Much of the humor of the play results from the way in which the plans and methods of the rascals serve as traps in which they are caught. l.efl: Lady Teazle (Heather Hollingsworlh) ga.sp.s al a tidbit of gcssip from Sir Benjamin Bacltbilc (Sam Thompson). Below: Charles Surface (Bill Carter) gathers with friends for :: rouml of drinks in liis house RS ' W f jr S