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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, October 19, 1967
French theater critic discusses play history
By Linda McCrerey Kansan Staff Reporter
French theater has undergone considerable change since the days of miracle and morality plays.
In a French lecture open to the public, KU's Rose Morgan visiting professor this semester, Jacques Scherer, traced the development of the French theater from the 10th Century, when the Church controlled it, to the Theater of the Absurd of today.
The rise of comedy as a social criticism caused a break between the Church and the theater, and a new type of theater developed. This time the accent was on wordly interests.
The real invention of the dramatic theater, Scherer said, occurred in the 17th Century classical theater. No longer obliged to the dogma and restrictions of religion, authors such as Corneille, Moliere and Racine wrote for the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV.
In the 17th Century, theater became a major entertainment for commoners as well as nobility. Finally the bourgeoisie revolted against the nobility, and in the following century, nothing new of importance was created in the theater, Scherer said.
After a period of stagnation in the 19th century, people became so bored with the medicore plays and dull theater traditions that they began to demand new ideas.
Film featured in fourth church series
Film was the feature, and the people were to see where the lines in society are drawn.
The fourth in a series of services designed to "communicate
Christianity through modern art forms" was held Wednesday night at Trinity Methodist Church, 2141 Maple Lane.
The film, "Boundary Lines"
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Coming Soon
Friday
Oct.27
The "Walking the Dog" Man
Rufus Thomas
with SPIDER AND THE CRABS
Make Plans Now To Attend The
Wildest Junior Class Party of All Times
Free Beer and Admission with Class Dues Card
National Guard Armory-8:00 to 12:00
Non Junior Dates $1:00