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Review by Carh Enstrom
The impact a play leaves sometimes is hidden by cri
' ticism. It's the playwright's message, along with the final
production effort, that is on trial. The preparation and the
hours of work that go. into a play are irrelevant at this
point. The end result is ail that matters.
What matters in the production of The Rimers of Eld
ritch is it leaves behind a trail cf self-centered, omniscient
and tragic characters.
The characters' lack of concern for others is frighten
ing. And the air of desolation makes playwright Lanford
Wilson's characters "a mirror of human nature," as dir
ector Rex McGraw puts it. ;
The production run: through Saturday at Howell
Theatre.
The Rimers of Eldritch is a murder puzzle. The pieces
of action are given in reverse order. The play takes place
during spring, summer and fall. Seasonal, changes are
suggested by lighting, and the brief flickering of stage
lights gets the changes across: The fading out and fading
in of lights also allows concentration for scenes which
take place simultaneously. .
Groundwork set
The director's interpretation of having the dead body
on stage for the first scene (not in the original script) has
little impact. But it does establish the play's ground work.
And as it progresses, the realization of how Skelly (Cliff
Radcliff) was murdered becomes pathetically clear.
Radcliff s characterization is brilliant. The directional
and actor's interpretation of the town hermit-shutout
creates a bitter, mean old man. Yet in one scene, Skelly
reminisces about a past love. His recollection is humorous
and lewd, which only can be the result of actor interpre
tation of a social outcast. He ends the scene with a tender
cry of emptiness about his life.
Skelly made the audience realize outcasts probably are
more honest than the rest of the town.
The set design is staged with platforms that give an in
sight into life in a small, former mining town. The town
consists of a general store, a cafe and a church, which also
serves as a courtroom. Also represented are family homes
and a front porch, where women sit and gossip, or the
romantically inclined kiss goodnight after a date to the
4rive-in.
The stage design allows the audience to see all facets
of Eldritch. There are no set changes, which keeps the
flow of action going.
Costumes timely
The play is set in 1962 and the costumes suggest a fine
representation of this period. Cora Groves, owner of the
Hilltop Cafe, is played by Charly Miller. She is dressed in
shell, black stretch pants that come above the ankle and a
leopard-like sweater. All the costumes are representative
samples like this. ,
Miller can build up emotion and go into a crying scene
without the help of a scene that builds up to it.
Cora is having an affair with Walter (George Hansen),
but there should be more physical contact between the
two. They don't touch each other like lovers.
However, in one scene where Martha (Sherri Dienst
frey) and Cora encounter each other at the general store,
the cattiness and, self-righteouness of the town reveals
itself. 1 , '.
It is almost a stereotyped scene that is full .of snide
comments. But the pain me characters cause each other
is all too human,
' : , Cntndo effect ..
Hansen gives a Marlon Brando effect. He keeps the
thoughts cf his character secret. But in the final love
scene, where he is rolling on the ground with Patsy (Amy
Thelander), he touches her in true macho form.
Thelander's character is the epitome of a small-town
girl who wants to get out. Her characterization brings to
the surface the desperation of small-town life. And the
flighty way she is concerned with clothes and her future
marriage makes her well worth seeing. Yet, she did not
react enough in the scene where she tells Walter she is
pregnant. She is not upset enough about her situation.
The Preacher and Judge Parker, played by Douglas
Street, are cold and impartial characters. The preacher is
part of the town's callousness. -
One of his lines tells the audience that the murder is
the whole town's fault. The hypocrisy of his character
comes through well. But, when he gives sermons, there is
not enough of fire and damnation in them.
Mary Windrod (Stephanie KaHos) is one of the out
standing characters in the play. Her voice and body move
ments are excellent for an old woman. Her character is
crazy and omniscient at the same time.
Fists cf desperation
Kallos is consistently insane, but in the scene where she
tells God not to forgive the town, she should be waving
her fists toward heaven in desperation.
The murder scene revolves around the misunderstand
ing of a struggle between Robert (Joe McNeely) and Eva
(Melissa BserjT -
Eva is 14 years old and Baer plays the character of an
immature girl. The scene where she explains to Robert
about autumn is done with child-like wonder. And when
she displays anger, she does it without sophistication, like
a child. , f
However, Robert should have defended himself, or at
least put up a block to her punches a bit sooner.
McNeely's struggle with Baer was excellent. He
attacked her without grace and demonstrated how foolish
ly people can be egged into actions they don't intend
doing. .
The court scene " where Evelyn (Paula Langdon)1
collapses and cries over her misfortune of having a
crippled daughter (Eva) is spellbinding. The ser" re
peated several times for impact and she brought ihose
emotions spontaneously. "
The messages of the play may be seen differently by
other people, but The Rimers of Eldritch is well worth
seeing. It brings to the surface lessens from which we
can all benefit.
Adolf Hitler's home movies included
in Sheldon screenino of 'Swastika'
Home movies of Adolf Hitler?
This week's presentation at ths Sheldon Film Theatre
is a 1975 release entitled Swastika.
Directed by Phillippe Mora, the film intersperses
German propaganda footage from the 1930's with rare
home movies of Adolph Hitler; his high command; and his
mistress, Eva Braun.
The home movie footage (in color) of Hitler was dis
covered in the UJS. National Archives, where it had been
said:
film
r
'Distant Thunde
is UPC sstection
Distant Thunder, a 1973 film from India, will be
featured this week in the Union Program Council's
Foreign Film Series
Written and directed by Satyajit Ray, the film explores
the effects of war and famine on a small village. f
Showings will be at 7 and 9 tonight and Tuesday.
unexamined since being captured during the war.
7 he Daily Cdifornian critic William Bates
"Swastika is a potpourri 'of curiosity items, a
equivalent of the relics and souvenirs collected by war
fare buffs. But like these unpleasant items it may help us
not forget."
The film will be showing at 7 and 9 pjn. Wednesday
through Saturday. Friday and Saturday matinees will be
at 3 p.m. Admission is $2.
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