Newspapers / North Carolina Central University … / Dec. 18, 1956, edition 1 / Page 3
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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1956 THE CAMPUS ECHO PAGE THREE Poor Reception For Steinbeck Performance Here By THEODORE eI GILLIAM The best in lyceum programs turned out to be “The Best of Steinbeck,” a scintillating speci men of theatre, presented here Thursday night, November 29, 1956. A host of Steinbeck’s char acters were lifted straight from the pages of his books in all their stark realism — because of the brilliant acting of Constance Bennett, Robert Strauss, Frank McHugh and Todd Andrews. From the eight selections pre sented, Of Mice and Men and the “Molly Morgan” scene from The Pastures of Heaven remain most vividly in my mind. Constance Bennett as Molly, a young woman who refused to face reality, was^ superb, do i n g " some atmosph-' eric acting that'-' was extraordin ary. She gave evidence of a talent that is seldom seen in the movies where she reach ed fame whichT. E. GILLIAM tends to stereotype actresses. Ex cept for her voice, a bit refined . for the part. Miss Bennet’s por trayal of the hard-boiled waitress with a heart of gold in “Two-A- Penny” from The Grapes of Wrath exhibited an earthy real ism". In Of Mice and Men, she ex pertly captxired the mannerisms and character of a lonely .egois tic flirt. There was nothing mediocre about any of the group, but Rob ert Strauss was simply “par ex cellence” in roles running the gamut from the sensual Preach er Casey from Grapes of Wrath, Al, the cafe owner—a one-man Greek chorus—in “Two-A-Pen- ny,” the dog-loving Pirate from Tortilla Flat, the farmhand in “Molly Morgan,” to the mentally deficient Lennie in Of Mice and Men. His portrayal of Lennie was pognant enough to draw tears. Why his killing of Curley’s wife and his death at his buddy’s hand—one of the most heart rending and pitiably sacrificing acts in any literature or in actual life—^was laughed at by some of the audience raises a question of their mental status. One might well think that the mentality of those to whom the scenes were funny is not a whit above that of Lennie. Frank McHugh and Tod An drews gave meaningful and good interpretation to each of their roles. The parts for which they are particularly and respective ly remembered are Pilon and Danny in “Danny and the Pirate” from Tortilla Flat, a satirical comedy about the “paisanos” in Monterey. Frank McHugh also did a lively monologue of “The Mackerel” from Tortilla Flat. All the groups are stars of stage, screen, television and radio, Robert Strauss having been nominated for an academy award for supporting actor in “Stalag 17.” Their theatrical ac complishments and experience made them quite competent to bring to life some of Stein beck’s memorable characters, which literally cry from the pages to be heard. Another outstanding feature of the program was its sparse use of scenery, consisting of mere ly a few stools, chairs, a table and two border stands. Practical ly everything but the conversa tion was left to the imagination. This demanded a far greater creative effort on the part of the performers as well as imagina tive participation from the audi ence. Incidental music was appro priately played throughout the performances. One very notable feature of the music was that it perfectly matched each mood or idea being conveyed, thus en hancing the acting rather than distracting the attention. Once more praises must be given to the North Carolina Col lege Lyceum Committee which selects such topflight entertain ment for the student body. Let us hope that they will continue to select equally as well in the years to come. From The Senior Of The Month Clieniistry Major Likes Busy Life PRESIDENT’S DESK By BENJAMIN S. PAGE The Student Government As sociation is now preparing a code by which all student fimctions will be governed. The code will set forth rules and regulations in regard to decorum, etc. This undertaking has long been need ed at NCC, and President Char les Holland expresses hope that it will serve some useful pur pose. It is not aimed to destroy student privileges; rather, it is designed to protect the indi vidual student at all times. SGA is also working on a string of honors, which it hopes to bestow upon^p;:^ speedy Lee Cal-^| h o u n, N C C^' Olympic Cham pion. Since Lee ;i is bringing home the bacon from ; Melbourne, the, NCC Student Government and student body at large feel that PAGE the general population here owes Lee some sort of honor. It would naturally never' approach the honor that Lee has brought to us, but it would at least be a token of^ar gratitude. The tentative schedules in cludes a reception at the terminal when Lee arrives, a parade through the downtown By GWEN McCALLUM “1 like to be busy. Too much leisure bores me”. These are thq words of the December choice for Senior of the Month. These are the words that describe per fectly the author of the words— constantly busy. These are the words of Valeria Marcelettq Powe, (known around campus) colloquially as “Val”. Valeria, a Chemistry major, is a native of Cleveland, North Carolina and a graduate of Al-i len High School in Asheville, North Carolina. She first be gan her busy life as a student at Allen High where she was an active member of the school’s basketball team, debating team, Student Government, and Choir as well as the Crown and Scep ter Club. Following this precedent. and some sort of banquet and dance. The plans are as yet still tentative, but December 16 is un der consideration as a date for the honors. hope that the plans will materialize. The athletes’ banquet is still in the planning stage, but Presi dent Holland assures us that things are progressing satisfac torily. We hope this year to hon or our atheletes in a manner be fitting their gridiron perform ances. After all, the CIAA Cham pionship is not quite a small honor, and we would certainly have our footballers know how much we appreciate their un restrained efforts during the past football season. The Student Government, I am sure, wishes to take this op portunity to wish you an excep tionally Merry Christmas and a wonderfully Happy New Year. And when we see you again in January, please do not forget tJ^at the NCj:C Student Govern- irient Association is your organi zation and functions for your good. It needs, therefore, your area, undying support. VALERIA POWE “Val” plunged, immediately in to NCC’s host of extra-curricu lar activities once she became a part of NCC’s family. Her acti vities have included the Drama tics Club, which she served as treasurer, the Choir, of which she was also treasurer, the Stu dent Congress, the Student Wel fare Comnaittee, the Women’s Assembly Steering Committee, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Pan-Hellenic Council, and Grand Marshall. She has also been President of the Pyramid Club, Secretary of the Junior Class, and Vice President of the Sophomore Class. This year she is President of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, President of the Women’s Assembly, Secretary of the Pan Hellenic Council and a Senior^Counselor. JEve\ti with all iGfe'f >«liwipiR!Tii- vities, Val still finds time to en-» gage in her favorite pastimes (continued on page 5) HAVEAtEUCIGAIIEnE-UtiiGMii^j “I go for Camels because I Wtjnt a real cigarette not just fads and fancy stuf^. CameFs the one smok6 I've found that never lets me dow-n. , MANSFIELD 0^ B. 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North Carolina Central University Student Newspaper
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Dec. 18, 1956, edition 1
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