University Daily Kansan
Page 3
English Lord Caught In Moral Vise In Bolt's "Man for All Seasons"
By Karen Lambert
Rea describes his role as "an immense one." "I think the role is certainly centered around Thomas More," he said, "but there is also a great universality about the play."
Spare settings and somber-hued, period costumes—Rea refers to his as "my basic black"—complement the tension of a struggle between two powerful men. A cobweb of interweaving ropes suspended over the stage symbolizes the underlying conflict in the drama.
A Broadway hit two years ago, the Robert Bolt's play presents KU's actor in residence, Tom Rea, as Sir Thomas More. As Actor in residence, Rea, instructor of speech and drama, becomes the first member of a permanent repertory company of faculty members. The company, being established by the department, will be supplemented by national and international stage personalities, Rea said last night.
The play illustrates the moral battle between More, the English chancellor, and Henry VIII. More refused to approve Henry's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and was rewarded with death for standing by his convictions.
The historic struggle between Sir Thomas More and Henry VIII comes alive tonight in the University Theatre's season opener, "A Man For All Seasons."
"Truth to oneself, the central theme in the play—this is the universality of appeal," he explained.
Working from a flight purser with Trans World Airlines to a television emcee in Hutchinson, Rea has a varied background. He has appeared in "Twelfth Night," "Hamlet," "The Fastasticks." "Juno and the Paycock," and "Harvey."
"My favorite role is always the current one," he said.
Although his acting experience is wide, Rea has no favorite past performances.
on
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He prepared for his role as Thomas More by reading English history of
Before a performance opens, he tries to get some rest, eat a good dinner and have a little time to himself. He thinks actors sometimes pamper themselves by relaxing too much.
the period and biographies of More and Henry VIII.
Paul Broderick, Overland Park junior, Wolsey; Vince Angotti, Independence, Mo., graduate student, Dromwell; Bruce Levitt, Kansas City, Mo.; freshman, Chapuys; Robin Huggins, Olathe sophomore, Chauvy's assistant:
Appearing on stage with Rea tonight are Dennis Dalen, Lawrence graduate student, Common Man; Tom Behm, Wheeling, Ill., graduate student, Norfolk; Nancy Vunovich, Arkansas City graduate student, Alice; Gigi Gibson, Independence senior, Margaret; Joe Kaugh, Houston Tex. graduate student, Rich;
Larry Ketchum, Kanopolis junior,
William Rope; Steve Callahan, Law-
rence graduate student, Henry; Pat Melody, Miami, Okla., senior, A Woman, and Thomas Winston, Dallas, Tex. graduate student, Thomas Cranmer.
MOMENT OF CONFLICT—Tom Behm, Wheeling, Ill., graduate student, as Norfolk, and Tom Rea, actor in residence, as Thomas More, grapple in a tense scene from "A Man For All Seasons," opening tonight in the University Theatre. The drama, by Robert Bolt, is set in 16th century England during the reign of Henry VIII. Jack T. Brooking, associate professor of speech and drama, directs the production.
The play runs tonight and tomorrow night and Oct. 23 and 24, Tickets are on sale at Murphy Hall.
Court time is 8:15
FILMING FROM AROUND THE WORLD
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