PAGE EIGHT
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1949.
Big Plays Are Rare For Us But Not For The Berliners
By CARLA EDDY
(Special to the University Daily Kansan)
Berlin—This is Berlin—where one of the happier sounds, along with the coar of C-54's, is the enthusiastic acclaim of German audiences for American drama. According to military government's theater officer, it has grown into an actual demand for new ideas from abroad.
It seems that traditionally, Germans looked upon the theatre as a
from public funds. The idea of the stage existing for its own sake—purely for entertainment or the completely free expression of ideas—was a novel one, especially to Nazi-imbued youth.
Likewise, German audiences had always tended to put the greatest emphasis on tragedy, while Americans liked satire and comedy. The realization that one can learn as effectively from comedy and satire as from tragedy is dawning, however.
A German said recently, "Had we been able to put ourselves on the stage and laugh at ourselves, there peer could have been a Hitler!"
Most of the 45 modern U.S. dramas available to German theaters have already been performed. In Germany, it must be understood, each city has its own theater with its own company of players. Touring companies are rare. If a play succeeds in one city, others are likely to want to produce it for themselves, which takes some time.
The most amazing success to date has been "Voice of the Turtle," which has been produced in 55 cities of Germany and has played precedent-breaking runs in all of them. In the hero's role, an actor of a defeated nation wears the uniform of the conqueror. A nice point—of little significance to Americans, but having a decided effect on German audience—is that this soldier puts on an apron and washes dishes.
Second in popularity has been "Three Men on a Horse," which played 42 cities. The explanation seems to be that it brought to German audiences the unfamiliar but apparently irresistible elements of fast-playing comedy, lively repartee, and the ridiculous situation.
Robert Ardrey's "Thunder Rock" was popular in 41 cities here, as it was in England, although not a success on Broadway. Its philosophy, coupled with the realities of threatening war, causes it to speak with directness to German audiences.
Wilder's "Our Town" delighted critics and audiences alike in 25 cities, and set off spirited controversies as to whether this play is "typically American" or "universal." "The Skin of Our Teeth", produced in 16 cities, received by far the widest critical acclaim of any production. Saroyan's "The Time of Your Life" is also having great success.
The appeal of "First Legion" in 24 cities, hinges on the projection of an idealism for which German audiences like to search these days. "Monsignor's Great Hour" falls in the same category. "Biography" played to enthusiastic audiences in 24 cities. And Germans who like the supernatural elements were delighted by "On Borrowed Tune." "The Patriots" by Kingsley has been well received.
There have been a number of surprises, "Family Portrait," so well liked in the U.S. was totally unsuspecting. The Germans prognounced it sacrilegious.
"You cannot put the Holy Family on the stage—as just ordinary people!" they protested in horror.
Another failure was "Ah Wilderness." Germans fail to find children
City Managers Here In April
Eighty-seven city managers, from a five-state area, have been invited to the Second Annual Regional City Manager school to be held from Wednesday, April 27 through Friday, April 29.
Also attending will be several interns, now in, the training program of the city manager classes, and city manager aides.
Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Nebraska have been asked to furnish delegates for the school. The main sessions will be held in the Pine room of the Union.
The school is for city managers who are now established in that practice. It will give them an opportunity to meet and discuss their problems.
Orin F. Nolting, assistant director of the International City Manager association, will be a discussion leader. Mr. Nolting was formerly secretary of the Bureau of Governmental research at the University, and was a member of the faculty of the political science department. He left the University in 1927.
William F. Anderson, professor of political science at the University of Minnesota and director of the Institute for Intergovernmental Relations at Minneapolis, has been invited as a discussion leader.
Hugo Wall, chairman of the department of political science at Wichita university has been invited as a discussion leader for the intern's program. E. O. Stene, associate professor of political science, and other members of the University faculty, will also lead discussion groups.
or adolescents significant dramatic material.
"How can a child's problems be important?" they have asked.
With a glance to the future, "Lady in the Dark" will soon go into production. Germans have also set up a clamour to produce "Oklahoma". Americans in Berlin are looking forward to hearing in German "Surrey with a Fringe on Top" and "I Cain't Say No."
"Kiss and Tell" was not approved because of its "lack of social significance." "Ethan Frome" was decried by Germans as too heavy, was "Mourning Becomes Cries," was popular "Of Mice and Mice," recently introduced, has been highly praised as "a study of social and metaphysical significance."
While some German critics are still loathe to concede that drama which causes laughter is worthy of the stage, American satire and comedy are nonetheless packing the houses.
A St. Patrick's party will be held by the K. U. Disciple Fellowship at 8 p.m. today in Myers hall auditorium.
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"The Luck O' the Irish" will be the theme of the party.
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AWS Sponsors Leadership Day
Associated Women Students will sponsor the annual High School Leadership day tomorrow for outstanding senior women from Kansas high schools. Fifty schools will be represented.
The purpose of Leadership day is to acquaint women leaders in Kansas high schools with the responsibilities of university leadership.
The program for the day will include registration at 9:30 in the Union lounge; a welcome from Chancellor Deane W. Malott at 10:30 am. in the Pine room, Joann Ruese presiding; leadership panel discussion at 11:00 a.m. in the Pine room with Betty van der Smissen, Hilda James, Dorothy Scroggy, Jeanne Cooper, and Margaret Meeks.
Miss Martha Peterson, assistant dean of women, will speak on "College Life" at a noon luncheon in the Kansas room.
The afternoon schedule is: A discussion group on "Ideals of Leadership" led by Miss Margaret Habein, dean of women, at 1:30 p.m. in the Palm room, Sue Webster presiding; a social period at 2:30 p.m. in the Palm room; and 4:00 p.m. adjournment.
Song Contest Will Be Sunday
A cup will be awarded to the winning quartet of the U.N.E.S. C.O. council foreign song contest Sunday.
The contest will be in Frank Strong auditorium at 8 p.m. Judges will be Meribah Moore, assistant professor of voice, and Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Wilkins, instructors in voice.
Admission is 20 cents. Tickets may be obtained from U.N.E.S. C.O. council members or at the door Sunday.
The contest is open to all students. Songs may be in English or foreign languages but must be foreign popular or folk songs.
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