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Show 'Exorcists' premiers on Newman stage P ... ', '--,. --ijit few i - ! "The Exorcists," a new drama by Alan Heaps, premiers Friday at the Newman Theater. The play is set in Russia in 1920 and is centrally concerned with the clashing of three forces: the Russian revolution, religion (in the form of the Russian Orthodox Church) and the teaching of Sigmund Freud. One of the play's main characters, (Katrina, played by Kathy Winters) believes that she is possessed by the devil. "However," stated the play's director Harry Diavatis, "it's not made clear if it is the kind of 'devil' that religion would have us believe in, or if her 'devil' has political origins. Perhaps it is all three. 'The play takes place during a time of chaos in Russia when all these forces were at work. And the play shows one person, Katrina, on whom they are concentrated." Religion is represented in the play by Father Cyril, played by Bill Petty, the Communist revolution by Vladimir, played by Dan Barwick and Freudian psychology by Alexi, played by Rand Murray. The action of the play centers around each of these characters trying to exorcise Katrina of the particular "devil" that they believe possesses her. "In the end," stated Diavatis, "she is exorcised on all three levels." The play is being produced by Newman Theater to give students a chance to become involved in theater work, and to give people like Diavatis a chance to do the work necessary to graduate as a theater major. "It all works out pretty well," commented Diavatis, "1 get to graduate, students get a chance to act and Newman Theater makes some money." It might be added that the play is working out pretty well also. I got a chance to see a rehersal Thursday night, and the production showed great promise. Rand Murray was excellent as a pompous pseudo-intellectual, and Kathy Winters is very convincing as the possessed Katrina. "We have a few technical problems to work out, but we'll be ready for the opening," staled Diavatis. The Exorcists will play Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 p.m. at Newman Theater in Newman s Hall on 1327 East and 2nd South. ' Dan Barwick, Rand Murray and Kathy Winters star in "The Exorcists" at Newman Hall. |