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daily nebraskan
Wednesday, april 15, 1981
New play by UNL playwright opens Thursday
By Sioux Braun
A new play at a new theater space will
be tested this weekend when the Glass
Onion Cooperative Theater presents its
first independently produced play, Bing-sley-on-Sea.
Director Phil Stone describes the play
as a "black absurdist comedy, in the sense
that we find ourselves laughing at things
that kind of hurt."
Bingsley-on-Sea, by R. Dale Wilson, is
a story about an English minister and his
wife, Sidney and Cicely, who are vacation
ing at a beach resort, and who spend an
afternoon and evening with a half Poly
nesian waiter boy, Sammy.
Stone said Bingsley "deals with the
walls people build around themselves to
deal with the facts of their own existence."
The play is a study of these three charac
ters, he said, and what they become.
"The play," Stone added, "is about the
compromises people make in order to sur
vive in this world as they grow older."
Even though the university is not direct
ly associated with the production, lighting
equipment, costumes, and the cast are
all from UNL.
The playwright, Wilson, the director.
Stone, and actress Judith Pratt have been
in the same doctorate program at the
theater department for the past three
years and became close friends.
Pratt said their close relationships
account for the cast all being from the
university. "We know what's going on with
each other from working together." She
said Wilson confronted her about audition
ing for the role of Cicely. "It's a fine role,"
said Pratt, "and there aren't a lot of good
roles for women nowadays."
Todd Berger, a full-time university stu
dent and employee of the Lincoln
Exchange, said Wilson and Stone asked him
to audition for the show after they saw
his performance in Cowboy Mo. 2.
In response to why his play was picked
to be produced at the Co-op, Wilson
replied, "when people in Lincoln are look
ing for original scripts, they inevitably
come to me,"
Bingsley was chosen from Wilson's re
pertoire because of its small cast require
ment and unchanging scene. "We tried to
select a play with material to fit here,"
said Wilson.
"The closest cousin theater has is
poetry," he said. "I'm always trying to
get closer and deeper into the poetic
nature of the material." Wilson said the
language of this play is comparable to his
own and thus appeals to the intellect, as
compared to his most recently produced
play, Penny Dreadfuls.
The play has no foul language but
Wilson said "because of three lines," the
actor originally chosen for the role of
Sammy quit after their first rehearsal.
Berger, who then had the role of Sidney
switched to taking on Sammy's part, and
Wilson stepped in as Sidney.
Berger said he was satisfied with the
role changes because he felt more comfor
table with the character of Sammy. "I
think Dale's much more suited for Sidney
than I am."
Wilson said director Stone had wanted
him to do Sidnev from the vjry beginning.
And he said, "Because of rehearsal sche
dules and limited time, it was the most
practical thing for us to do."
Stone said he hoped that "the process
is helping Wilson learn more about the
script."
By seeing the play through Sidney's
eyes only, Wilson confirmed that he had
learned plenty. "Instead of forcing my
ideas and thoughts on other people, I must
now concentrate on my own material.'
All the cast members agree that Wilson
is taking on the job as an actor only, and
not as a playwrightactor.
Pratt, who will portray Cicely opposite
of Wilson, said "Dale's kind of dashing be
tween hats." But he is primarily partici
pating as an actor, not a playwright, she
said.
And director Stone said he doesn't
feel intimidated by the playwright when
giving directions. "Dale is basically just
acting," he said. "His playwright persona is
somewhere else when we are performing."
This will be the fourth show in which
Stone has directed Wilson. Stone said
Wilson accepts his decisions about directing
the play. "He will try anything on stage
that I suggest. And Dale leaves it up to me
if it (the staging) is working or not."
Ihougn Stone admits he senses that
Wilson feels an extra bit of pressure by
acting in his own play. "It goes along with
the thought that if he can't (develop the
character of Sidney on stage), then maybe
no one can.
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Thus far, the Onion's Co-op Theater
has acted as a sponsoring facility for other
organizations and their productions.
Starting from a budget of zero, artistic
director Sharon Grady said, the theater
is financially "going in the hole" for its
first production.
Gjady's position as artistic director
fuses into one of producing director once
the co-op changes from a sponsoring to
a presenting organization. So she is respon
sible for the personal loans which have
accomodated pre-production costs of Bing
sley. The co-op is relying on ticket sales to
cover their production expenses. There
fore, according to Grady, "everything must
Photo by Jon Natvig
Stone
be kept to a minimal " Bingsley's total
budget has been estimated at $200 and so
far that amount has been met.
In an interview with the Daily Mebras
kan earlier this year. Grady emphasized
the importance of compensating theater
production workers. She said with the long
hours invovled, people feel more respon
sible and appreciated if they get some type
of financial reward.
So for the benefit of the participants,
any ticket income over the amount of pro
duction expenses, will be divided among
the actors, technicians, and director of the
show.
The receipts will be split only eight
ways; one cut for the theater, and the rest
for the cast and crew.
Coffee blamed for listener's disinter ested attitude
"It looks like a shaved poodle out there. Desolate."
Brian blows a slow whistle out the window to the
foggy streets. I squint across the table at him. There is
a milky wall of cotton candy between us. The fog pours
in from an open window by the kitchen and lays thickly
around the booths. I pour another cup of coffee like
concrete into my cup. "I really shouldn't have any more
coffee" I say.
"You shouldn't have had any coffee," he says, lighting
a match to guide the waitress to the table. She lands
like a goony bird. "How are things on fantasy island?"
she asks. Brian hands her the pitcher of coffee and says
"Under no circumstances are you to bring anymore coffee
to this table." She takes it and ambles into the fog like
Frankenstein's monster.
zangan
I nurse my last cup of coffee quietly. Brian divides
the remains of his omelet into five easy pieces and pops
them one by one into Lis mouth. He dabs at his lips with
the napkin, then with the opposite corner wipes the
moisture from his face. He takes a deep breath. Brian has
a habit of flagging comments that he deems important,
so I braced myself and wait.
ya.
"Great ooga booga can't you hear me talking to
"Temptations?" I venture.
"Ball of confusion" he says, "To be exact."
"Oh." I say. Actually I knew what song it was, but
hate to ruin Brian's choreography. He cracks his knuckles.
I am marginally attentive.
"The fundamental nature of the universe is goofyiness"
he says, "which will significantly put a damper on what
I have to tell you."
I wrinkle my forehead on cue. "Well . . .?" I say.
Brian joins his fingers and brings them to his lips. He
looks vaguely like a holy man meditating in the clouds.
He stittles a belch, then begins.
"I'm gay "
"Brian" I say, "I've only known you for three years,
I told you your first stupid stereo-typical art deco joke. . ."
"I know you know, would vou hold on for Christ's
sake. . ."
I had hoped I was going to get off easy. "Sorry" I
say.
"This woman" he says "Is in love with me."
"So tell her."
"Would you give me a chance?" he yells. "Coffee
makes you intolerable. . ."
I take a last sip and push the cup away. "Ok' I sav.
"Not another unsolicited word."
"She wants to change me."
"Are you wet?"
Brian picks up a knife and taps it repeatedly on the
table as he looks out the window. I almost feel guilty.
"May I speak?" I ask.
"Is there a way to stop you?"
"Beyond honesty" I say, "There's only so much you
can do. You are only responsible for other people up to a
point, then they have to do the rest themselves. .
"Thank you Jung man." he says sardonically. "She's
put her underwear in my mailbox."
"Oh" I say.
"My roommate is wearing them.
"Send her a thank you note."
Brian fans a clear spot through the fog and looks at
me. "You're not taking me very seriously" he says.
"I'm really sorry Brian," I say, "but this isn't the first
time this has happened. I think people find your disinter
est devastating. . . ."
"What do you want me to do, flirt'.'" he asks.
I smile. "It might work" I say.
"I'm perfectly happy doinc what I do" he ravs "whv
should I change?"
"Can't imagine. . ." I say.
Brian shakes his head. "You've been of ureal aid and
comfort to me" he says.
"Anytime" I say.
Music students to
give free concert
School of Music students at UNL will present a recital
o chamber music at H p.m. Friday. April 24. in
Westbrook Music Building. 1 1th and R streets
The concert is free and the public is invited
Whrks t be performed will include Paul Hinem.th's
Uuintet tor Wind Instruments Opus 2 No P " Moart's
"Quintet for Piano, Oboe. Clarinet. Horn and Bassoon "
and Pia'no " S "Cncer, ,n c; Mair ft,r Two Flutes
Performers will be Kathe Saathoff. Jane Osoorn and
Diane Pendrock. flute; Mark Turtle, oboe; Amy Peterson,
bassoon; Mark Benson, clarinet; Devon Park, horn
Margarte Cheng and Robert Rhein, piano
The llmdemith and Mozart works were prepared under
Bogar!'6 " L f F,U,e Dad
