Kansan Reviews
THEATRE: It's odd—but good
By CANDACE OSBORNE
The primary purpose of any theatrical production should be to entertain. Last night's opening performance of "The Odd Couple" certainly fulfilled that goal.
The play is about two poker-playing buddies—one estranged, the other divorced, who seek companionship from loneliness. Unfortunately this "marriage" is also doomed. Oscar is a sloppy beer-guzzling hell-raiser and Felix is just his mismate—a domesticated gourmet with a neurotic penchant for cleanliness.
As with many opening nights, the actors often did not hold for their laughs and as a result it was impossible to determine the humor of the numerous lines subsequently lost. Too many of author Neil Simon's witticisms were smothered by laughter.
James Hawes is to be commended for his thoughtful direction and avoidance of presenting a copy of the popular movie. His realistic set design aided the actors in maintaining the pace needed for the comedy.
The cast was great. Neil Fenter as the anxiety-ridden Felix was excellent. The comic techniques employed by Fenter were quite realistic, seeming to come from an inate feeling for the character.
As Oscar, Roy Sorrels did a fine job of overcoming the handicap of portraying Oscar, a role which sends most of us thinking of Walter Matthau's movie character. His feeling for the character was good although he could have done more in creating the slovenliness of character through arrangement of costume and mannerisms.
The show was enhanced by a fine supporting cast. The performances of Bill Meikle, John Myers, Eugene Casassa and Steve Reed as the poker-playing buddies were all excellent.
The two British birds the "Odd Couple" invite to dinner, as played by Shari Roach and Irene Ballinger, did not yield the performances which could have been the highlight of the comedy. Miss Roach's vocal qualities were too affected in comparison with those of the other actors.
Off to a slow start, the comedy began to gain momentum with the early arrival of the despondent and suicide-prone Felix.
After that you can sit back and laugh.
Feb. 6
1969 KANSAN 5
More than 100 varieties of plants provide food or cover for animals in Wyoming's Red Desert.
"I was in love with a woman once—she drove me to drink. I'm forever indebted to her." W. C. Fields stars in "Old Fashioned Way" at 7 and 9 tonight in the Union Ballroom.
Kansan Arts Calendar
Todav
4 p.m.—Poetry Hour—W. S.
Merwin reading his
poetry—Forum Room, Union
7 & 9 p.m.-SUA Special Film—"Old Fashioned Way"-Union Ballroom
8 : 20 p.m. — "The Odd Couple" — University Theatre
7 & 9:30 p.m.-Popular Film-“Raisin in the Sun”-Dyche Auditorium
7:30 p.m.—Folk Dance
Club—173 Robinson
8 : 20 p.m. — "The Odd Couple" — University Theatre
Saturday
7 & 9:30 p.m.-Popular Film"-'Raisin in the Sun"-Dyche Auditorium 8:20 p.m.-'The Odd Couple"-University Theatre
Sunday
2 : 30 p.m.—"The Odd Couple"—University Theatre
7 & 9:30 p.m.-Popular Film—"Raisin in the Sun"—Dyche Auditorium
Go Big Blue, beat University of Oklahoma
FREE SCHOOLARSHIP WILL BE AWARDED
AT EACH MINI LESSON.
FREE TIME you can have more FREE TIME too! enroll today
N. B. This is a seven-week course. All sections end before spring vacation.
First Spring Series 1969
Sat. 1-4 pm beginning Feb. 8
Mon. 3-6 10
Tue. 7-10 11
Wed. 7-10 12
MINI LESSON SCHEDULE
JANUARY
29th Wesley Foundation Bldg. 4:00 & 7:30 pm
30th Wesley Foundation Bldg. 4:00 & 7:30 pm
31st Wesley Foundation Bldg. 4:00 pm
31st Holiday Inn 7:00 pm
FEBRUARY
3rd Holiday Inn 7:00 pm
4th Wesley Foundation Bldg. 7:30 pm
5th Wesley Foundation Bldg. 4:00 pm
5th Holiday Inn 7:30 pm
7th Holiday Inn 7:00 pm
MINI LESSON SCHEDULE
A. Ford Maurer-KU Graduate Student Reading Dynamics increased my confidence in rapid reading and therefore my interest in increasing available reading time.
VI 3-6424 1314 Oread Road, Lawrence, Kansas 66044
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