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Show H Summer Clnmii.!. liuLn. Aliens! h. I"g- 'j C7 entertainmen i g theater. FUCT1U i August 12 i-- IS. 1977 MARRIO LIBRARY NORTH PLAZA rr i J 1 With the sunrise came Greek classic entertainment and art COLLEEN REICHERT Chronicle Staff It's dark, it's 5:45 a.m., and it's too early. That is all I t an handle thinking about as I drive to the I'niversity to see the sunrise production of "Electra" or "Breakfast at Tragedy." Classic or not. the Depar (mem of Theater really doesn't ex-t- i jxrple to show up at this ungodly hour on a Saturday? They must be joking. coming to see leftovers fiom Halloween wailing and slaving bec ause some git I has a with her father's death? hang-uConvinced that Sophocles is no competition for another two hours of sleep, I anie ai the north library plaza planning to see a ptivate iewing of the play. The hillside is packed with fxople. After watching the jxifoimance, I am tettain that if "Electra" is any indication of the quality of previous Classic Theatre Festivals, then a large audiente is no surpiise. "Electra" was excellent. The play ojxns with a prologue that sets the stage for the events that ate to follow. Oiestes. bi other of Elet tta, returns home to avenge the death of his father in the name of justice. He leaves after revealing his scheme. Elettra enters also plotting against her mother and lover. However, Elettra is alone, dressed in rags, and she speaks irt a lamenting tone. She is a sharp tonttasi to her brother, Orestes, and his imjxrsonal reasons for his actions. by e jx-opl- p Elettra tontrasts with her sister, also in apjx'arante and tone. The Chorus and her sister question Elettra about her reluctant e to forgive and forget the death of her father. After a gotxl deal of dramatic irony, hidden identities, and lamentation we disc over that in Greek tragedy two wrongs do make a right. Elettra's mother and lover are murdered and the house returned to it's rightful rulers. It's a happy ending as far as Creek tragedy goes. There was not one weak element in "Elettra." The acting, directing and costuming worked together to produce an exceptionally good pttxluct. Among all these gcxxl things. Chatlenc Bletson as Elettra stands out as something even Ix tter. Her resonant voite was easily heard and understood. Since masks eliminate fatial expression, gestures must be large. Her lamentations and frenied movement would have looked insipid if Bletson did not jk iloitn with sue h skill and conviction. At times it was difficult to concentrate on what she was saving; the sound was so taptivating. A single flutist picccded the at tots onto the plaa. In the gray morning light, the sound tteated a verv effective and eerie quality. You could almost forget that your were in the tenter of campus, sitting on a hill in front of the binary. The tibials wasn't only the setting, it was t leveily used as a piece of scent iy. It was an , from left to right, Barry Paulsen, Charle ne Bletson, Larry Robinson, Scott Wells, and exeicrse in imagination to remove yourself fiom the present so that references to Marriott Library as "the hallsof my father" did not bring a snic ker. When murders were taking plate on the steps of the libiary, all conceptions alxuit theater and scenery are shaken. The sie ami whiteness of the libiaty made it ideal for the role of a Creek palate. Direttor Kenneth Washington's batkgiound in choreography and dance was teitainlv needed and appreciated in "Elettia." The Chorus of nine moved fiequently, smoothly, and used a variety of movements and levels. All this was W p Kurt Thomsen in "Electra" performed on the Library plaa. accomplished without getting in the way of the character who was speaking. The costumes and masks designed by Sue Memmott were both simple and symlxlic of the characters who wore them. There weren't any hot pink Gretian robes. The cast had to work hard not be overrxjweied by Bletson. Some resorted to screaming in order to hold their own. Despite this and a couple of missed cues, the tast as a whole was strong. I don't plan to make a habit of arriving at sc hool at 6 a.m., unless it is to see the annual Classic Theater Festival. Associated Students of the UNIVERSITY OF UTAH Spring 1976 Winter 1977 AVAILABLE NOW Pick up at Bookstore, Union Desk, & ASUU Offices |