Newspapers / North Carolina Central University … / March 31, 1965, edition 1 / Page 3
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March 31, 1965 THE CAMPUS ECHO PAGE THREE 'J. B/ Hailed In NCC Production Student Self-Evaluation Calls For Introspection By Harrison Willoughby Just what can be said about a play such as “J. B.?” And, most of all, how do you say best that which has to be said? This play, written by Archibald Mac- Leish, was presented in B. N. Duke Auditorium, March 18, under the direction of Miss Mary Bohanon. “J. B.’j is surely one of the author’s finest plays and is perhaps his most difficult. In the first place, “J. B.” is a different type of play. It is different in dramatic struc ture—^which is somewhat unique, and different in its theme—which is grand and searching. MacLeish, in a piece to the NEW YORK TIMES, says of his work: “A man may be forgiven for dramatizing an in cident from the Bible, and even forgiven for modernizing it a bit ... I have badly needed an ancient structure in which to build a contemporory play which has haunted me for the last five years; and the struc ture of the story of Job is the only one I know into which our modern history will fit. I have therefore constructed a modern play inside the ancient majesty of the Book of Job.” “Job’s search,” continues the author,” was for the meaning of his afflictions—the loss of his children, the loss of all of his material possessions, and the loss of his wife’s kindness, who turned upon him in his agony with those ineradicable words: ‘Curse God and Die!,. And in this agony Job cries poignantly again and again, ‘Show me my guilt O God!’. He wants justice of the Universe. He needs to know the reasons for his wretchedness.” Job seeks, like us no less, reasons for his suf ferings when he asks to be shown his guilt. He can even be shown pity for his lack of re calcitrance, and for his remon- strations to his comforters who imdertook to persuade him against his own inner convic tions that he was—indeed, had to be—guilty of transgressions against God. If he could not be guilty, then there could be no reasons for his punishments. The setting for “J. B.” is the broken-down remnants of a traveling circus. The play is put into motion by two “has-been” actors who are now circus ven dors, and who, upon stumbling upon an empty circus stage, believe that the play being pre sented there (J. B.” is a play within a play) is the Book of Job, and that one of them should assume the role of God and the other Satan. To stage the kind of action that follows much stagecraft is demanded; and here is where the difficulty begins. The action has to ensue and wrangle itself in between two, and perhaps three sets of focuses. On the one hand, we have the discus sions and arguments of God and Satan. On the other we have the presence of the hero “J. B.” and those about him. Added to Social Protest (Continued from Page 2) have contributed toward creat ing the image we now bear. Since we all share the guilt, we should all share the task of re construction. This is not the task of one office, but the task of stu dents, teachers, administration, and staff. This is our final hope for unity and preservation. If we cannot accept this challenge \^ithout vindictive measures by those who disapprove of this column, then we are truly “in our darkest hour.” these two focuses, we have a prompter whose voice booms in from the rear of the auditorium or playhouse. The action on the stage jumps from one set of characters to another and in doing so the forces play upon each other. Since “J. B.” as a stage ve hicle calls for a relatively full floor of characters—employing not only several focuses of action but for stills, imagery, and even bits of pantomine, a very smooth and facile group of actors is needed. Just how well did the North Carolina College Thespians handle themselves in this difficult play? The hero, called “J. B.” after the current fashion in business, is one of those vastly successful American business men. He is not a particularly devout man But he is, at the beginning of the play, prosperous, powerful, and possessed of a lovely wife and fine children—everything a man could desire. As the hero of this story, Rufus Horton is to be roundly applauded. In a role that demanded quite a range of emotions he managed to bring it off very impressively as he demonstrated strong vocal control and remarkable facial and body expression. In his lat ter scenes as a prostrate, shatter ed and torn figure, he was able to generate genuine pathos. Nor ma Sutton, as his wife, Sarah, has once more demonstrated her deftness, her versatility, at as suming a role and bringing out the very best with it. Her abili ty to bring forth the subtleties, the nuances, of whatever charac ter she has assumed is com mendable and rare in the Thespian group. One is pleasantly surprised at the performance by Gary Grant. Indeed, one has watched Grant, with pleasing regard, grow from his shallow performances in other Thespian productions to a very fine performance in hig portrayal of Nickles (Satan). He had just enough Satanic villiany to cause you to hate him a little; yet you could not help appreciating his cynicism, his despair with the seemingly in- (See ‘J. B.’ Hailed, Page 6) Track Team (Continued from Page 2) concerned. Their concern is summed up in the following statement: “We are inquisitive about the matter of finance for the reputation of the track field.” It is doubtful that mentors of our thinclads would invite other colleges to this school to com pete on such a “tried” track in its terrible physical condition. Where (if it has been appro priated) is the money that the state has allocated for the im provement of athletics and the maintenance of existing facili ties? It is the Administration which has the answer to the problems; however, untU action is taken, Tate, Roberts, Johnson, McCrae and those “winged footed” Eagles to fol low, have no where to nm. Garrett-Parkcr Drug Store Prescriptions Filled 702 FAYETTEVILLE ST. Phone 682-1715 W. P. Wimberley, Phar. By Bob Seldon The following statements may or may not have meaning to you ! If they do strike you as being worthwhile, let your everyday actions, show it, but if they do not have any signi ficance to you, then maybe an analysis of your whole state of being as an individual is in order. The following statements could have been made by any one, anywhere, and at anytime. The values and concepts that are involved are well-worth pro claiming time after time. 1. “You have come here with many ambitions and goals— what will you be .. . Dare dream!” 2. “Whatever your past may have been, you are united in the present with a common wish for the future—to live the best possible life you can.” 3. “How can North Carolina College best help you fulfill that ambition?” 4. “What might you expect to receive here (NCC). 5. “North Carolina College ex pects that its students will be first of all men and women. students have respect and appreciation for scholar ship.” 7. “... you came here to learn, then leam well!...” 8. “. . . a good education is essential for the new oppor tunities which the physical bread and the social revolu tion have opened up.” 9. . . give them (your pro fessors) a chance to let you show them how good you really can be.” 10. “You will find that get ting an education is like putting money in the bank —you get out what you put in, with interest.” 11. “ . . . you will find that here we expect NCC stu dents to be responsible peo ple.” 12. “This sense of responsibility then carries on into life.” As was stated in the begin ning, these are worth-while statements that may be put to very good use. The student body as a whole takes a definite stand for its state of being. Thus, each individual student must begin to realize his ambitions and goals in life and propagate lowman for the interest of all concerned. N. C. C. can fulfill these desires by exposing you to as many of the technical, in tellectual, and cultural aspects of this civilization that it pos sibly can. Your attitude toward these properties of an advanced people will in great part deter mine whether or not your life—and in many cases the lives of others-are vigorous and fruit ful or sluggish and barren. This is nothing more than a sophisti cated extention of the “survival of the fittest” role. A realization of one’s true meaning and purpose will auto matically better equip one for the newer, greater responsibili ties of our society. This is in keeping with the universal con- stant-CHANGE, (assuming you realize that everything changes) it is on this basis that the stu dents of today’s N.C.C. can, de mand extended hours, partici pation in more off-campus acti vities, and tear away from the decaying “apron-string-ideas” of the Administration. In closing this columnist wishes to instill in every indi vidual a drive to better the in- you will find that NGO them by working with his fel- (See Self-Evaluation, Page 6) Win a Honda just for being liorn Your own birth date may have already won you a Honda in Parker Pen’s Birthday Sweepstakes! For example, if your birth date is December 1st, 1942, your entry is 12-1-42. Just fill in the coupon below-take it to your Parker Dealer for his signature-and then send it to us. And you might as well know this: you winners have your choice of Hondas . . . the powerful C-110, or the deluxe CA-102. Congratulations! PARKER New Compact Jotter. 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March 31, 1965, edition 1
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