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

Page 27 text:

An exciting and emotional debate over women ' s suffrage and echoes from a past love affair made Votes for Women by Elizabeth Robins a night to remember for audiences. The production ran from Novem- ■ber 5-8 in Norton Auditorium. For the first time, the stage was set up in an arena-style setting. Rather than seeing the actors through the frame of a proscenium archway, the audience was seated full circle around the stage, which made for an interesting variety of viewpoints. The action, based in England in 1907, hinges on the debate over women ' s suffrage. Miss Vida Levering, played by Kim- berly A. Fuller, is working to help women gain the right to vote. While trying to convince the people of London of the necessity of voting rights for women, she is confronted with poignant memo- ries of a past affair. Geoffrey Stonor, played by B.D. Peace, has to face the pain and agony that he caused Miss Levering years ago. When she became pregnant with his child, Geoffrey left her in order to keep his inheritance. Now. in 1907, Geoffrey, a mem- ber of the law-making establishment of England, is confronted by the question of women ' s suffrage, and by his past with Vida. In the final act of the production, Geoffrey admits his mistake and asks for forgiveness. He seems to favor women ' s suffrage, perhaps in order to ease his own conscience. According to Dr. John O ' Connor, director of the pro- duction, The campaign for women ' s suffrage represents a semi- nal political and social development in both the United States and England. Votes for Women!, first produced in 1907, is one of several plays written in early 20th century which uses the suf- frage campaign as an impetus to explore many issues beyond the demand for the franchise. Elizabeth Robins anticipated the ' new ' feminist movement in the 1960s. Robins represents one of the many ' forgotten ' women who, throughout the centuries, have provided a ' voice in the wil- derness ' in women ' s struggle for equality. My use of the religious allusion is not accidental. Robins and women like her have ap- proached their commitment to feminism with the zeal of Biblical prophets. The ' end ' finally came for the English suffragettes in 1928, when all women over the age of twenty-one were given the franchise Dy Kevin Whisenanl LISTEN UP. (center) Mr. Trent listens care- fully as Miss Levering tries to sway Lady John to her view of women ' s suffrage. Photo by Christopher Kohling. HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Miss Levering ad- dresses townspeople about the necessity for women to have the right to vote. Photo by Christopher Rohling. 23

Page 26 text:

Voles lor Women CAST LIST Lady John Wynnstay Pcmaela D. Williams Miss Jean Dunbarton Keri Haynes Mis. efl ■rr.Ambe Joly Mrs. Freddy Tunbridg 2f fi .Amber Boles Miss Vida Levering Kimberly A. Fuller Working Woman Christina Heline Miss Ernestine Blunt Candy Grissom Suffragette Colleen McNabb Women in the Crowd Chessy Blackford Kirstie Decker Laura L. Holt Housemaid iHMEfe Kelly Ryan HousemaKLj J. ...... . 4 HMBElii ■ i Sara Black Mr. Richard Famborough D. Evan Tucker Lord John Wynnastay Michael F, Reynolds Mr. Freddy Tunbridg . ?. 1 . 1 Lee Henderson Mr. St. John Greatorox Steven D. Gross Honorable Gepffrff ftJ orl. . .B.D. Peace Mr. Allen Trent Mark Spencer Hampton Mr. Pflchem . Al - - I .Collin Martin Men in theCrWdWO M .E-N- !. . . J| J. J. Harmond I HAVE NO VOTES Chris ° wens Adam Taylor EMOTIONAL DEBATE. A working woman tries to convey the message of women ' s rights to a crowd. Photo by Christopher Rohling. HEART TO HEART, (right) Geoffrey Stonor and Miss Levering discuss the love affair they shared. Photo by Christopher Rohling. 22

Page 28 text:

Habitat fa Hmmmhi IF I HAD A HAMMER. Milton Glor volunteers his time at the Habitat House. Photo by Chris- topher Rohllng. FORTIFYING FLO- RENCE. Jennifer Wesley helps former Habitat House recipient Henry Jackson hit the nail on the head. Photo by Chris- topher Rohling.