8
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, February 22, 1968
Comedy Japanese style
Actors defy language wall
The Nomura Company of Kyogen Players from Tokyo, Japan, proved Wednesday that universal values and emotions transcend language and cultural barriers.
Even though performances were in Japanese, both afternoon and evening audiences at the University Theatre had reactions ranging from a chuckle to a grin to exuberant laughter.
"The audiences didn't laugh at the outlandish situations, but rather with them. Persons could see universal feelings and experiences portrayed by the Japanese actors—humiliation, pride, egoism, fear, curiosity, procrastination and temptation," said Richard McKinnon, troupe director and afternoon lecturer from the Center for Asian Arts, University of Washington.
McKinnon presented a lecture on Kyogen theater Wednesday afternoon and defined the nature of Kyogen.
"It is situational comedy in which the moment of crisis occurs when the disparity between appearance and reality begins to show," he said.
The Kyogen playwright avoids pretension and reveals frailties to which all persons are subject, McKinnon said.
"The Monkey and the Quiver," demonstrated in the afternoon performance by the Nomura family, featured Saeko, five-year-old member of the troupe who fascinated the near-capacity KU audience in her portraital of the beguiling monkey which softened the heart of the cruel fuedal lord, portrayed by the child actor's father, Mansaku Nomura.
Mkinnon said. "Each actor must sense the feel of total expression and relate rhythmic choreographic movements to his style."
He said the test of a Kyogen actor is whether he can "walk the thin margin separating the comic and the tragic. This kind of interplay gives the play tremendous strength."
The first copy of the first book published by the new University Press of Kansas was presented to Governor Robert Docking in his office in Topeka Tuesday.
Docking gets first copy of book
The book was "Art at the Grass Roots," edited by Bruce Cutler, nationally known poet and professor of English at Wichita State University.
John P. Dessauer, director of the University Press of Kansas, and Mrs. Willis Anton of Topeka, a member of the Kansas Cultural Arts Commission which sponsored the book, made the presentation.
The University Press of Kansas, successor to the University of Kansas Press, was formed last summer as a joint publishing venture of KU, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University.
Individuals at the performance reacted differently. For example, Clayton Corbin, professional actor at KU playing the lead in "Macbeth," said he particularly watched their sylized movements since he will be playing a Japanese bandit in the play "Roschiman" in Atlanta, Ga., when he leaves KU.
Others expressed delight at the "ensemble acting" of the troupe.
March 1 deadline for Tri-Delt scholarship
The annual Delta Delta Delta sorority Service Projects Scholarship Competition will end March 1.
Craig wants KU to rejoin Association
The paperback volume records the proceedings of the September, 1966 Kansas Cultural Arts conference, the first of its kind in the nation. It was a working conference concentrated on community problems in promoting the arts.
The All-Student Council (ASC) is considering a move which could result in KU's reaffiliation with the National Student Association (NSA).
At the ASC's regular Tuesday meeting, Kyle Craig, Joplin, Mo., junior and student body president, introduced Janet Berenson of NSA. Miss Berenson explained the organization and its program.
Acacia selects nine new officers
The NSA is a student organization which fosters intercampus cooperation nationally and which represents the United States in the international student world.
Acacia fraternity Monday installed its newly-selected officers
Elected to one-year terms were David F. Flora, Kansas City, Mo, sophomore, venerable dean (president), and Gary C. Davis, Prairie Grove, Ark., junior, vice-president.
KU left the NSA in October, 1961, a reaction against the NSAs liberal stand on major national and international issues, and also because the organization insisted that all member schools follow Association policy.
Craig would like to see KU reaffiliate with NSA.
One of the programs advocated by the NSA and rejected by KU was a book exchange program with Russia.
"I don't think we (the students at KU) will agree with many of NSA's stands on national and international issues, but at least we will be kept informed as to what others think," Craig said.
Elected to one-semester terms were Paul Getto, Lawrence sophomore, senior dean; Robert Capell Jr., Brewster, N.Y., junior, junior dean; Larry S. Chance, Merriam freshman, rush chairman; Lee R. Polson, Ft. Worth, Tex., freshman, treasurer; Thomas L. Bauer, Harper freshman, corresponding secretary; Robert Fox, Lawrence junior, recording secretary; and Steve Marcy, Topeka freshman, Interfraternity Council representative.
The month long competition is open to any full-time undergraduate woman. Tri-Delts at KU will grant one award of $350 and the local winner will be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship in the national competition.
Bank of America has a spot for you:
Campus Interview Date:
March 8 & 12
If you're interested in a career in California, we're interested in you. Bank of America has a continuing need for young men with ambition and executive potential to help in the development of new markets and new banking services. No matter what your degree or major field of study, we may have challenges to match your skills. As the world's largest bank, we serve every aspect of business, industry, and agriculture in the nation's largest, most dynamic state.And since Bank of America is not only
a state-wide bank—it's world-wide, too-you'll find opportunities in the field of international finance as well. Why not learn more about what a career with the world's largest bank can offer you. Write to the College Relations Officer, Bank of America, One South Van Ness, San Francisco 94120, or 111 West Seventh, Los Angeles 90014. And make an appointment to see our recruitment officer when he's here.
Bank of America
NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION - MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION A Bank of America recruitment officer will be at your placement office soon. An Equal Opportunity Employer