LU Talent on Display in H-SC Theatre Production
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Entertainment
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Rotunda Reporter
The play was successful: a supportive audience, provocative humor, charming cast and crew were all components of their achievement.
The cast recreated Bertolt Brecht's play "The Caucasian Chalk Circle Saturday" on Saturday, Nov. 8, with a diverse mix of students from both Longwood and Hampden-Sydney. Longwood's talent included senior Joanna Shubert, senior Kristine Bender and freshman Katie Robey.
The play focuses on two main characters, but before their stories are told the play opens to a town meeting. Cast members took the stage, not from behind the curtain, but entering from the audience. Two groups of people began to argue over land distribution. Boring you might think? Far from it. The cast's main characters instantly stood out as they argued with charming appeal.
Only moments later, Matthew Jones, a Hampden-Sydney sophomore appeared on stage, guitar in hand. Jones had been introduced as a guest to the event who will entertain the townsfolk with a story. He began to narrate the story through song. The narration continues throughout the play.
The first act begins by introducing the dismissive governor and wife Natella, followed by two doctors caring for Natella's infant son, Michael. Accompanying the family is the governor's brother, Prince Kazbeki, also known as the "Fat Prince." Unknown to the governor, the prince had arranged a coup to overthrown him. Soon after their entrance, the battle begins and the governor is taken away in chains.
Natella re-enters the stage, panicked over what superficial necessities she must take with her as she flees the town. She and her many servants mistakenly leave her most precious possession, her infant son Michael.
An abrasive, self-serving Natella was played by Bender. Her performance crafted many laughable scenes in which the audience could mock the sheer egotistical nature of the governess.
As Natella flees, Grusha Vachnadze, a worker in the governor's home played by Shubert, stumbles upon the child and decides to care for him.
The seemingly natural motherly instincts of Shubert and her character couldn't help but be noticed by audience members (which included her supportive Alpha Sigma Tau sorority sisters). Her performance was full of emotion as she displayed the character's devoted and selfless nature.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
kristine bender
posted 11/19/08 @ 10:47 PM EST
We are so glad you enjoyed our production! Joanna and I both worked very hard and spend many long nights trapped at H-SC. We will be involved in Twelth Night in the spring. (Continued…)
Kathy Shubert
posted 11/20/08 @ 11:50 AM EST
I enjoyed the show immensely and I would drive from Fairfax to Farmville to watch another production. All the cast members were great but I especailly enjoyed watching Joanna on stage and hearing her sing. (Continued…)
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