Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Nov. 17, 1995, edition 1 / Page 11
Part of The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Comic precision makes slapstick performance an enjoyable hit PAIGE MCRAE staff writer Directed by Jack Zerbe, "Noises Off," Michael Frayn's classic farce about the pitfalls of a touring the ater company, kicked off the Guil ford theater season last Friday. After plays dealing mainly with serious social issues, we now have over-the-top hilarity. We first see the actors rehears ing a play called "Nothing On," which just happens to open that very night. As "Nothing On" hits the road, a barrage of problems, both personal and professional, af flict the actors. Props are mis placed and at one point 3 actors appear onstage as the same char acter, and this is only the show the audience sees! With a turn of the revolving stage we see the actors backstage, tension at its peak. I don't wish to give too much away, but I will say that they make use of an axe and a cactus. This was probably the fastest moving play I'd ever seen at Guil ford. "Noises Off' requires preci sion to make the elaborate gags come off, and the cast kept right on top of it. The slapstick and comic timing would've made the Marx Brothers proud. After seeing "Noises Off," you're likely not to watch a play in quite the same way. Events on the Town November calendar for Reynolda House Friday, November 17th at Bpm - "O'Keeffe and Nevelson" per formed by Helena Hale. Tickets will be $7 for this one-woman show from Santa Barbara, Califor nia. Call 725-5325 for reserva tions. Saturday, November 18th at Bpm - "Mary Cassatt Speaks" per formed by Helena Hale. Tickets cost $7. Call 725-5325 for reser vations. Thursday, November 30th at Bpm - l4 Music of William Grant Still". Tickets for this lecture/ concert will be $5. "Nutcracker" tickets now on sale Tickets are now on sale for the Greensboro Ballet's production of November 17, 199! Hi TiWlMiw - n*M v Guilford theater turns to the lighter side with 'Noises Off' NIKOLAI RUDD contributing writer This year's Guilford College theater program will include two comedies, which theater majors consider a welcome change. Pre vious seasons, they say, have heen too serious and intense, which hin dered their versatility. The reason for the change was not only for the actors but to give the audience a break from all the serious topics of the plays that have been performed over the past three "the Nutcracker." The show will be presented De cember Bth and 9th at 7:30 pm and on December 10th at 3:00 pm at the War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro. This production fea tures the talent of the Greensboro Ballet, the School of Greensboro Ballet, the Southern Piedmont Children's Choir Ensemble, and the Greensboro Symphony Or chestra. Tickets are sl9, sls, and sll with a $2 discount for senior citi zens and children 12 and under. Tickets are on sale Monday through Friday from 12 noon until s:oopm at the Cultural Center Box Office and the Carolina Theater Box Office. Be sure not to miss this seasonal tradition. a&e years. Charles Boniface said "It is important for people to be used to being in and also seeing different kinds of theater." Jack Zerbe, chairman of the the ater studies department said,"There has always been a working assumption that we should be doing plays of different styles and periods. In the past, as Ellen [O'Brien] and I got more 'politicalized,' we tended to pick plays with more powerful social relevance." This year students wanted to do something lighter,"so ARE you REAP? FOR THISPP Student Union and the Office of Student Activities are ashamed to present... jfe Featuring these forgettable x /"/1 - -yet classic - wastes of celluloid... From 1938, an all midget-musical western. Js \j (We We make up anything that ever made. Come see for yourself/ _ m j=J PLUS F RID AY, NOVEMBER 11 A short at the beginning that will S:3OPM " MAPNESSr. THE UNDERGROUND The Guilfordian we looked at plays that would be educational and still challenge the actors, but would have a greater interest to someone looking for a social event on Friday, Saturday, or Thursday." Zerbe stated that a guest direc tor will be directing Marivaux's "La Dispute," a classical French comedy in January. He predicts that the production will be contro versial. The third production of the year is going to be an experimental piece, consisting of a collection of Photo by Abigail Blosser "Where are we in the script?!' Derriil Smith, Mauri Wilke, Biz Harrison, Brian Kilpatrick, and Jon Fero in action in "Noises Off". twelve one-act plays directed by Zerbe's directing class. "The rea son this is happening is because Ellen didn't want to direct and 1 didn't want to direct two...and we needed a third show." Zerbe added/This will give them a more practical experience..." Something he feels his class needs more of. With the physical comedy of the contemporary farce "Noises Off" and the French classical comedy "La Dispute," you can be sure that laughter will pervade the theater. Completing this ensemble with the experimental one-act plays should meet all of vour theater needs. 11
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 17, 1995, edition 1
11
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75