—The Highacres Collegian, Monday, December 19, 1977
Play Review
Molieres'
Draws
The first of three productions to be held
at the Highacres Campus was Moliere’s
satirical witty play “The Imaginary
that -was presented on four
successive evenings, October 26-29 in the
Highacres Commons’.
The large talented cast of 22 players
obviously pleased the capacity audience as
evidenced by the frequent hearty laughter
and loud lingering applause.
The comedy was brilliantly directed by
Jay Breckenridge of the English Depart
ment faculty at Highacres. He was
assisted by Randine Matthews. The
producer was Jim White, assisted by
Keller Taylor.
Paul Irwin was superb in the leading
role as Argan, the wealthy bourgeois, who
seeks more attention and giving vent to his
self-indulgence affects different severe
illnesses—hence, the title “The Imaginary
Invalid.” Irwin was dynamic in this
demanding role, alternating between
energetic health and an affected pose as a
languishing invalid. Bravo, Paul Irwin!
Argan is under the domination of his
physician Dr. Purgan, played with
professional authority by Steve Flynn.
Argan’s daughter Angelique, char
mingly performed by Sybil McGuire, is
secretly in love with handsome and
dashing Cleante. Cleante waS acted with
romantic fervor by Randy Hoffman.
Hoffman was splendid, especially his
exposition and romantic role within in the
play sequence, a “little impromptu opera”
in Act 11, scene 5.
Sybil M. McGuire was ideally cast in the
part of Angelique. Her rendition in Act 11,
scene 6 of “Why Girls Marry” was bright
and delightful.
However, in order to save money, Argan
insists that Angelique marry a doctor. He
favors Thomas Diafoirus who has just
graduated as a doctor. This silly looking
suitor, Thomas, was convincingly por
trayed by Butch Lamont. His studied
oratorical speeches were very funny. His
father Dr. Diafoirus was played with the
necessary pompousness by Brad McNab.
Rita Bell played the role of Argan’s
second wife Beline with effective
hypocrisy. While pretending to be a faith
ful devoted wife, she actually hoped that
Argan would be killed off by the doctor’s
so-called cures in order that she may
inherit her husband’s money.
As Toinette, the saucy and teasing
housemaid, Renee DiSabella was
remarkable. She played her part, in-
cluding her later disguise as an aged
ICE CREAM and SANDWICH
SHOPPE
32nd & N. Church Streets
Satirical Wit
Applause
Reviewed By
PROFESSOR ANDREW KAFKA
Collegian Play Critic
traveling physician, with unusually
brilliant comical virtuosity. Her energy
and sparkle contributed much to Moliere’s
lines when she was on stage. It was
Toinette who convinced Argan to pretend
that he is dead. Thus, he finally realizes his
wife’s duplicity, and his daughter’s
genuine love.
As foil to Argan is his sensible and
perceptive brother Beralde, played with
credibility by Ron Reinmiller. He tries to
persuade Argan of his doctors’
charlatanism and of the selfish intrigue of
his mercenary -wife. It is Beralde who
suggest’ that his brother Argan become a
physician and, consequently, gain better
insight into the medical profession and
then be able to diagnose his own physical
condition and to recognize the super
stitions of the “ancients” as distinguished
from the never developments in medical
science. Argan agrees to become a
physician himself.
This leads to one of the funniest scenes in
the play. An elaborate macaronic—Latin
(sprinkled with French, a little Italian,
and English) ceremony was performed by
a group of carnival masqueraders. Carl
Frankel played the Presiding Officer,
attended by make-believe apothecaries,
doctors, et al„ played by Wade Bullard,
Sandy Randis, Greg Rodgers, Karen
Weber, and Theresa Wielgorz. The center
of this mock-ceremony is Argan. He is
questioned repeatedly concerning prin
ciples of medicine in order to lead him to
believe that he is really being accepted as
a physician.
In smaller roles, Michele Baymor, as
Louison, Argan’s younger lovely
daughter ; Randy McKinstry as Monsieur
Deßonnefoe, the conniving rotary; and
Ron Sandrock as Monsieur Fluerant, the
apothecary, play useful roles in the un
folding of the action.
For additional variety in the play, Kitty
Dobash, Marcy Scanlan, Curt Wilkinson,
and Wade Bullard were the dancing
gypsies, who offered a charming gypsy
dance scene.
The transformation of the upper level of
the Highacres Commons into an effective
and comfortable little theatre with its
“apron” stage was accomplished by the
stage crew: Keith Bower, Mike Hutchin
son, Dave Reed, Agnes Urbasik, and Curt
Wilkinson.
Dave Orbin was in charge of lighting,
Continued on page 8
DAIRY
Audio Insight
’Punk Rock' Causes Uproar
By DOC
Collegian Staff Writer
Britain’s premiere punk rock band,
“The Sex Pistols,” are here with their first
album. Punk rock in England is more than
just music. It is a form of expression to
show youth’s dissatisfaction with the way
their lives are fun. Born in the
economically depressed areas of Britain,
punk rock surveys anger, hopelessness,'
and the want for anything better. This
album is filled with anger. Anyone could
see that just by looking at the song titles
“Anarch in the U. K.,” “Pretty
“Problems,” (not Donnie and Marie
material)
Now for the music itself. High on energy,
high on distortion, low on melody, and one
wonders if the band really has any idea of
how their instruments should be played.
The album consists of twelve songs, all
fast, reocking, energized, but droningly
repetitive. I hope someone -teaches the
guitarist, Steve Jones, a new chord for
their next album. The lead singer, Johnny
Rotten, often sounds like he is trying to do
a bad imitation of Jan Hunter (singer for
the late Mott the Hoopls). Don’t expect
harmonies, much less singing, from the
band. Don’t look for imaginative in
strumentation or any original chord
progressions. But most of all, don’t expect
anyone who is “supposed” to know music
to like it. It just wouldn’t be cool to say you
actually like something so non-musical. I
like it. It’s about time someone eives rock
Movie Review
“Oh God:” Possibly one of the most The survivors try to m ak e their way to
captivating films of the year. Excellent Albany, New York from Cahfo y
casting was a major reason for success in traveling along a strip ot*® n ? tnat „
this satirical film, George Burns is at his to drive on. Their ‘ tank is
best in the portrayal of God in tennis shoes right out of “Star Wars and t P
and a golf cap. John “Thank God I’m a “old hat.” The only part I enjoyed wasthe
Country Boy” Denver, is also excellent as attack of the armor P*® 4 ® 0 .
the supermarket clerk who witnesses the roaches.” This is hardly wort
appearance of God before him. The plot is dollars per person admission price, it you
easy to follow but the finale could have have something else to do, don t g
been better. Another reason for the sue- “Damnation Alley.’ ,
cess of “Oh God” is that it deals with a Piece of the Action: This is my pej s o«®‘
unique situation and a novel idea about a favorite of the year. This 1 »
very controversial subject. I recommend unknown, is one of the most en
this"movie very highly. The film plot S
1 Other Current Features Poftier (superb) and Bill Coshy isen
Damnation Alley: This is another world - sational) as two high-class con •
ending catatastrophic film, This type of; movie resembles the twop „...,,
film idea has been overdone and is tures entitles uptown Satur y ghi
beginning to become boring. The only and “Let’s Do It Again , but JP
tangeable acting is by George Pappard casting, acting, and direction
and even his acting is disappointing. The one of the funniest and enjoyable J
plot deals with a nuclear catastrophy in ever will see. The story centers aro
which the United States is reduced to a
barren waste land with all types of honors.
. , : S’’ . 4.
469 W.BROAD ST. 455-6521
a good kick in the ass. When they start
spitting out four-letter words, they aren’t
just there for coloration; they mean it. As I
said before, Johnny Rotten is anything but
a singer. But he doesn’t need to sing. He
growls o.ut how he feels with more anger,
sarcasm, and dissatisfaction than anyone
I’ve ever heard. At the end of “Pretty
Vacant” when he says “We’re pretty
vacant, but we don’t care,” you just know
he doesn’t. He couldn’t care less if
everyone in the world just dropped over
dead and didn’t even hear the album.
They mercilessly put down the Queen in
“God Save the Queen.” That song caused
such an uproar in England the British
Broadcasting banned it and numerous
record companies either refused their
contracts or dropped the ones they already
had with them. The song made it to Top
Ten anyway. In “New York” they put
down, homosexuality. In “Anarchy in the
U. K.” they ridicule government. “No
Feelings” just plain puts down everyone.
You may not like these guys but have to
give them credit. It’s not every band that
goes around and openly insults the people
that are going to buy their records. Even if
punk rock doesn’t catch on, I still have to
thank the Sex Pistols for hating
everything. It shows there still are a few
rebels around who want a change.
P.S. Hang in there, Keith.
By CRAIG OSWALD
Collegian Staff Writer
ALBUMS:]^!
TAPES :
A I QO CELEBR,TY
mirrors
Continued on page 8