University Daily Kansan Thursday, Dec. 6, 1950
(Daily Kansan photo)
SURVEYING THE RUINS—Jack Brooking, assistant professor of speech and drama and director of "The House of Bernarda Alba," left, talks with Nat Eek, instructor of speech, after Wednesday's opening performance of the play.
'House Of Bernarda Alba' Tumbles From Foundation
BY TOM SAWYER (Of The Daily Kansan Staff)
Several demolishing factors contributed to the partial razing of "The House of Bernarda Alba" in Fraser Theater Wednesday.
The play itself, by the moody Spanish poet, Federico Garcia Lorca, is one of deep-rooted peasant traditions, of which the audience had little cultural understanding. The play is basically a realistic study of rural Spain and it is incongruous for us in its emotional explosions of poetry. These national idiosyncrasies persist as better in reading than in viewing. The piece itself demands either an interpretative Spanish cast or an appreciative Spanish audience.
The heavy, somber drama studies the sexual frustrations of the five daughters of the recently widowed Bernarda Alba, who has barred them from the world of men for mourning purposes. The tragedy is twofold. The first was the youngest daughter's break from bondage and ultimate suicide. The second was the audience's bursts of laughter during this and other crises.
Some of the scenes did seem ludicrous, but it must be remembered that great demands were being made on young actresses. When all the characterizations required hysterical displays, embarrassment is permissable for the audience. Audible laughter is out of place.
Poor Interpretation
Nancy Nixon, Concordia junior, as Bernarda, forbore "acting" and thus presented a tower of strength on the stage. Unfortunately, she seemed more a melodramatic villian
than the representative of a philosophy and tradition. However, the lack of grandeur was a matter of the director's interpretation. The larger portion of her supporting players, acting more normally, seemed to be performing in an altogether different play.
Unwritten comic relief through vocal emphasis was provided by Lois Quaid, Norman, Okla., graduate student, in the role of the old servant Poncia. Though much of the conflict between the two characters was lost, Miss Quaid and Miss Nixon certainly furnished the most assured and dynamic scenes in the play.
Since little was required of the two quarrelling sisters, Martirio, played by Sonja Flournoy, Olathe freshman, and Adela, played by Paula Cado, Kansas City, Mo. freshman, until late in the third act, their final battle was a surprising and refreshing climax.
The three remaining daughters, Nancy O'Brien, Great Lakes, Ill., freshman; Barbara Richards, Hays sophomore; and Moneyley Asher, Barbourville, Ky., junior, presented a variety of accents; namely inaudible, impeccable and affected respectively.
Design Is Good
Architectual authenticity was artfully provided in a setting rich in Spanish atmosphere designed by Virgil Godfrey, assistant professor of speech and drama. The sometimes subtle, sometimes blanton tone of Lorca's situations were faithfully traced and reflected in the lighting created by E. Arthur Kean, instructor of speech and drama and lighting designer. Charming incidental folk music was sung and played by Cesareo Pelaez, Cuba, graduate student. The collaboration of these three did much to pave the way for the uninitiated observer.
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The problem of overcrowded dances and parties will be presented Friday and Saturday by KU representatives of Student Union Activities at the regional conference of the International Assn. of College Unions at Kansas State College.
SUA Representatives To Attend Regional Conference
About 200 persons from most of the 41 member schools in region eight of the IACU will attend. The conference theme will be "The College Union and Expanding Enrollment."
Bryce Cooke, Overland Park senior, is chairman of the region, which includes colleges and universities in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska.
Frank Burge, Student Union director,
will preside at several sessions
Lorca's earthly commentary on the disastrous effect of false social values on basic drives and desires was well at home in the mood of lyric tragedy. It is doubtful, however, whether the same may be said for the all-female cast which lost much dialogue through lack of vocal control in scenes of raving, swooning and hysteria.
Your Campus Radio, KUOK 630 Spot.
and will lead a staff session on plant modification and improvement. Edward Maser, director of the Museum of Art, will speak to a staff group on "Fine Arts and the Union Program," Miss Katherine Carr, Union activities adviser, will speak at the same season.
Dean Graves, Kansas City, Kan. senior and president of SUA, will lead a student discussion group.
Others of the SUA board who will attend the conference are Leo Lesage, Concordia, Allo Berg, Topeka, Marilyn Priboh, Wichita, Marion Pelter, Port Hueneme, Caif., Susan Baker, Kansas City, Mo., all seniors; JoAnne Beal, Lawrence, John Zoellner, Tonganoxie, Jerry Buchanan, Wichita, and Sandra Falwell, Kansas City, Kan., all juniors.
Elected AAC District Head
District six of the American Alumni Council elected Irvin Youngberg, executive secretary of the University Endowment Assn., chairman at the district meeting in Des Moines, Iowa Tuesday. Mr. Youngberg will begin his term as chairman a year from now and will hold the office for one year.
FOR STUDENTS CAR LUBRICATION $1.00
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