'Hostage' performances excellent
By GENELLE RICHARDS Kansan Staff Writer
One tends to want to classify "The Hostage" as either a comedy or a tragedy, but it can't be done, because it is both.
That is one thing along with the style and script that makes the play unusual. The fact that the two are mixed at times tends to hinder and disrupt the play's totality.
The Hostage is a play of today "showing that modern drama tries to become different and shy away from the classic theater.
Again the same old comments are made that war is bad followed by "That's the way it is." Many of the plays today tell us how bad war is and we already know this.
The acting for the most part was very good. The principal roles of Pat played by John Young, Meg played by Barbara Berman, Leslie played by Richard Gillilan, and Monsewer played by Michael Rapport were all excellent.
They all presented characters which were polished complete with accents, movements and gestures to convince those watching that they were these people.
The other actors played stereotyped roles and therefore weren't able to display much of the individual. But Meg played by Patricia McGill and Mr. Mulleady played by Tim Caley displayed a talent for their character role.
The constant interruption of the minor characters, in mass instead of individually, hindered the total effects of the play because it wasn't convincing. They enter on cue, say their lines and then depart—not adding much to the play.
The use of songs in the play at times helped but there were several times when the scene was ruined by an immediate switch into song.
For instance, when the soldier realizes that he is being used as a hostage and what his fate may be, he breaks into a song which is not depressing but happy.
But there are times when the music is good. The beginning of
Middle Ages art exhibition wins acclaim
By RUTH K. ZISER
Kansan Reviewer
"Huiziga in Lawrence, or Hitting the Top of the List Deep in the Heart of Kansas" was the headline of a review of the current exhibition at The KU Museum of Art in Sunday's "New York Times." This show, "The Waning Middle Ages," organized by J.L. Schrader, brings together one-hundred thirty-eight objects of Franco-Burgundian art from 1350 to 1500 from museums across the United States. It certainly offers a unique opportunity to the University of Kansas.
This exhibition, the most ambitious ever undertaken by the museum, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the publication of Johann Huizinga's book, "The Waning of the Middle Ages." Huizinga's study of medieval culture expounds the thesis that the
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Nov.14 1969 KANSAN 5
the play is terrific-with everyone on stage singing and dancing, and at other times, the songs for the characters are good.
A great addition to the play comes from the set and costumes. The set constructed of wood slabs is magnificent and the costumes help the characters to be more convincing in their roles.
The script was different for there were times when the feeling was tragic or comic and then interrupted with song and dance
which was the opposite of the mood. This device can be good but many audiences aren't prepared to accept such a technique.
So for those who think that perhaps they didn't like "The Hostage" perhaps they should look again at the play itself, where the fault may lie, and not with the acting and directing which was good.
"The Hostage" runs through Nov. 22 in the Experimental Theatre.
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