University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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..:- - ' :c -: VISITING MERRICK after he ' s set- tled into his new rooms, Treves (Terry Pace) talks to Merrick Qona- than Seay) while he bathes. (Photo by Stephen Anderson) THE LONDON ACTRESS Mrs. Kendal (Suzanne Tidwell) is star- tled by the strange, disflgured man (Jonathan Seay) she confronts. Director Robert Allen Holder opted not to use complicated make-up for Merrick, choosing instead to rely on the actors ' ability to convey the affliction. (Photo by Stephen Anderson) CARR GOMM (Scott Adams) dis- cusses Merrick with Bishop Wal- sham How (Joel White). (Photo by Stephen Anderson) Spring PIqy 19

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The Department of Speech, Communication and Theatre presented a sensitive performance of ' Tlephant Man I OT fREAK QHOW Ifie spring play was a production of Elephant Man, the story of a man named John Merrick. Merrick lived during the late 1800s and was afflicted with Elephant Man ' s disease, a disease which caused his head and body to be horribly disfigured. Merrick, who for most of his life was ridiculed and labeled a freak, eventually became one of the most popular figures in London society when it was revealed that he was extremely intelligent and was normal in every way except his physical appearance. It ' s a story of man ' s humanity toward man, said Robert Allen Holder, the direc- tor of the play. [Merrick ' s story] showed the world that a man can be critically afflicted and still have a very bright and 3- It ' s a story of man ' s humanity toward man 1 ? ? I FREDERICK TREVES (Terry Pace) meets the Elephant Man (Doug Kruse) for the flrst time at the car- nival where Merrick works. Jayne Anne Miller, a theatre alumnae, painted the elaborate backdrop used in the production. (Photo by Stephen Anderson) vital mind. This year ' s spring produc- tion featured something that has never been done in a campus play — alternating leads. An alternating lead is a lead played by two different people. The alternating leads in this play were those of John Mer- rick and the character Ross, played by Jonathan Seay and Doug Kruse. Each actor played each character on two occa- sions during the four perfor- mances of the play. According to Holder, play- ing two different characters in the play was beneficial to both actors and was also a treat for the audience. It gave them [the actors] a much greater insight into the good and evil aspects of the play, Holder said. This type of thing is done in repertory theatre and is good for both the actor and the public. The rest of the cast included Terry Pace, Scott Adams, Ronnie Calvin, Stewart Chai- kin, Jann Hammond, Lynn Cook, Barry Cochran, John Harris, Amy Flippo Mont- gomery, Joel White, Suzanne Tidwell, Lou Galbreath and Nicole Massey. Holder said that the play received a favorable response from the university community as well as the Shoals area, despite the fact that it was somewhat difficult to understand. The language was quite British and that was difficult for some people, he said. [However] once people settled into that they appreciated it and were able to understand the play without any rej trouble. Also, despite the fact that did not have as large a audience as previous plays Holder said that he thought th production was a quality pe: formance and cited an exan pie of an 11th grader who sai a matinee performance a evidence. A young 11 th grader cam back that night and brougt her parents, Holder said. ' think the fact that a high scho( students enjoyed the perfoi mance so much that she woul bring her parents to see : attested to the value of th show and the credible job wit which the cast presented th show. by Vincent Toney 18

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THAT ' S ENTERTAINMENT! The SOAR Cabaret featured talented stu- dents performing in the Great Hall for the SOAR freshmen. (Photo by MoUie H. McCutchen) EVEN LEO II got into the act during the SOAR session this summer. Leo n is the unoiHcial campus mascot. (Photo by Larry Robertson) FOOD is on the minds of these par- ents and university personnel. The summer SOAR package included an all-day session for the SOARees ' parents with a picnic lunch provided. (Photo by Mollie H. McCutchen)