University of Wisconsin River Falls - Meletean Yearbook (River Falls, WI)

Page 27 text:

Orion Larson King Lear King Lear King Lear was the first Shakespearean play to be presented in the new college Little Theatre and was the fifth in a series since 1950. The staging was modified Elizabethan with proscenium doors, outer, middle, and inner stages. The play was shortened to a two hour presentation which retained the major scenes and the meaning and poetry of the drama. Especially effective was the lavish costuming with authentic dress and armor. Special lighting effects presented a continuous, smooth flowing production of one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies. The scope of the action, the plot complexities, and the emotional violence heavily taxed the cast and crew who nevertheless presented a sweeping and effective performance.

Page 26 text:

Plays . . . presented in the Little Theatre % I Laura Gordner Candlelight Candlelight On September 29, The Falcon Players Summer Theatre group presented a comedy, Candlelight 7 by P. G. Wodehouse. It is the story of a prince's valet who masquerades as the prince to win the affection of a young lady whom he believes to be a society girl but who is really a maid. This group was organized to give summer students opportunity to leorn the many aspects of theatre with special emphasis on trouping, for the plays of the summer theatre group were presented in several neighboring towns, as well as at the college. The Crucible The first major drama production of the year was Arthur Miller's The Crucible , a ploy based on actual accounts of the Salem witch trails. It is an intense story of strict Puritans who, with religious zeal, invent devils and witches to explain all unnatural phenomena. Innocent people are condemned to death by power crazed and self-appointed apostles. Neighbors turn on neighbors to settle old scores and grasp more land. The intensity of the play is obtained through having the characters realize fully the tragedy of their errors. Although the cast was quite large, good characterization, settings, and costumes were combined into a distinguished interpretation of o fine dramatic work.

Page 28 text:

Cafe ♦ ♦ ♦ Mr. and Mrs. John Gage do a great deal for the college students by employing at least forty students who otherwise wouldn't be financially able to attend college. The cafeteria, other than being a place to eat, is a popular spot for relaxation and conversation. There is always a group of students drinking John's well known coffee and talking over the latest gossip or, on rare occasions, studying. Two over lightly Cofeteriology 24