Magic Flute' has air of the unreal
By NED VALENTINE
By NED VALENTINE
The place is any corner of the universe and the time is any moment from eternity.
These elements form the unusual setting for Wolfgang Mozart's "The Magic Flute" to be presented by the University Theatre and the School of Fine Arts April 21, 22, 28 and 30 in the University Theatre.
The seemey reflects no particular time or place and the characters reflect no particular members of the human race. The characters, like the setting, have an air of the unreal as they sing and dance their way through an unearly depiction of man's struggle for good.
Traditionally, the play is presented with a kind of Egyptian flavor, said Tom Rea, instructor in speech and drama and director of the opera." "We have changed the setting to be timeless and spaceless, with only the slightest suggestion of Egypt," he said.
The fantasy tells of the "queen of the night" whose daughter is
kidnapped by Sarasto, ruler of the day and chief of the unreal kingdom. A handsome prince and a "bird man" search for the daughter of the queen and endure great hardships until they reach "The Temple of the Sun."
The birdman, who is not a prisoner but a collector of birds, and the prince both fall deeply in love with their dream girls during the opera and the search.
The opera depicts man facing the trials of life and becoming a better person afterwards, Rea said.
Unhidden scene shifts and gardens represented by hanging pieces of fabric give the setting the unreal, theatrical flavor.
The play was originally written in German in 1791. It will be sung in English. "It is the most melodic of all Mozart music," Rea said, "and contains a great deal of light and simple music."
The orchestra will be conducted by George Lawner.
Pompon tryouts continue
Only eight women will be chosen next Tuesday out of the 130 women practicing for tryouts for KU pompon girls.
Preliminary tryouts will be held tonight and will be closed to the public. The women will tryout on two routines, "I'm a Jayhawk" and "Fancy Pants."
"The girls have really done well in practices." Vince Bilotta, pompon girls adviser, said, "I'm surprised that they have absorbed so much with only two nights of practice."
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12 Daily Kansan Thursday, April 20, 1967
PATRONIZE KANSAN ADVERTISERS
THIRD ANNUAL
Phi Psi "500" Tricycle Race
- Saturday, April 22nd,10:30 a.m.
- In N-zone, just north of Allen Field House
- See the crowning of the "500" Queen