Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 28, 1982)
‘Dizzy’ starts well, but... “Benjamin Dizzy” Pocket Playhouse April 24 The "world premiere" production of Terence Jones Benjamin Dizzy" came on strong, but didn’t quite finish the race in front. The elements of directing, acting, costuming, and scenery were impeccable in production, but the foundation for these elements, the script, left something to be desired. "Dizzy's" story line is quite simple: it recounts the life of Benjamin Disraeli, the nineteenth century British Prime Minister Yet his life was anything but simple. His father wanted him to be a quiet lawyer, while he wanted power and fame During his life he was a novelist, a poet, and one of the most influential men of his time. Controversy was Dis raeli's lifestyle, and a calm existence was non-exis tent for him. The first act of "Dizzy" is compelling. Disraeli wants power in the Parliament, and attends all of the required social functions and dinners, but is checked at each point by his enemies Dizzy 's personal life is also revealed. An "adored being," his mistress, and the true companion of his life, his wife Mary Ann, are introduced Disraeli’s outlet for his frustrations was his writing, and Jones develops this side, showing Dizzy's wit and intelligence through the first act. Jones' creation fails in the second act. Disraeli attains the pinnacle of power, he becomes Prime Minister and then Jones seems to lose interest in him The remainder of Disraeli’s greatness, his life and his final achievements are recounted in the span of a half of an hour Disraeli's triumphal entry into the office of Prime Minister, his diplomatic expertise in creating Queen Victoria as Empress of India, and the success he enjoyed in the handling of Bismark are dealt with, but with so little detail or humor that the audience is left wondering if they might have missed some of the show during the intermission Neither the most ingenious of directors nor the most gifted of actors could compensate for this flaw in the script Stephen Yarian, as director and actor, does create a wonderful show from the script provided. It is quite evident that Yarian is capable of directing and performing in the same production. In both capaci ties, he makes good use of four peripheral actors/ characters (Molli Fleming, D. Patrick Lawler, Sarah Lucht, and Mark Schwahn) in broadening the scope of the play and the depth of Disraeli's character. Yarian also makes good use of the props and costumes provided to produce his character revela tions. The University Theatre technical staff lives up to their normal high standards, and the elements of lighting, scenery, and costumes add greatly to the enjoyability of the production. The costume designs were particularly good. Kristina Shaughnessy creat ed costumes accurate for the period, yet in dividualized to explore the changes in Disraeli's social positions. Aside from the definite structural problems within the script, the University's production of "Benjamin Dizzy” is excellent. When you do see it, brush up on your late nineteenth century English history or you could get lost in Dizzy's monologues. by c. alien rylander Rare books at Museum of Art An exhibition of library memor abilia ranging from Babylonian clay tablets to a Renaissance en cyclopedia is currently being fea tured at the University Museum of Art The exhibition, lasting through May 2, highlights the joint cele bration of the centennial of the University Library and the 75th anniversary of the Eugene Public Library The show is funded in part by the Oregon Committee tor the Humanities The exhibit displays objects from the library's rare book col lection, including books, manu scripts, illustrations, maps and photographs in more than a dozen categories The “European Manuscripts" display includes one of the li brary's oldest books, an 11th century manuscript hand-written on calf skin Babylonian clay tablets in the exhibit of "Middle Eastern Manu scripts” are the library’s oldest items dating as early as 1900 B.C. The display of "Early Printed Books'' features the most visually appealing piece, a Renaissance encyclopedia containing illustra tions and fine printing. The "Oregon Imprint" display of Oregon publications printed before 1871 features some of the library's rarest items These pub lications provide a vivid insight into frontier life Another notable item from Oregon, the transcript of Ken Ke sey’s novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, " is included in the "Modern Literary Typescripts” section Also included in this sec tion is an original Agatha Christie mystery novel typescript april 28, 1982 The exhibit of "Print ed Books" features an unusual leather book with chains and iron fittings, which reflects the medie val practice of chaining books to shelves or desks because of the books' great value A collection of "Books of Hours," containing prayers and scripture, includes a richly illustrated book with a picture of the book's owner kneeling before the Virgin and Child "Orientalia," a collection of items from East Asia, features a Burmese text written on palm leaves and a Chinese scroll writ ten on cloth The display of "Illustrations'' features the original drawings by Hardie Gramatky for the children's book, "Little Toot.” The "Photography" category displays an important collection of photographs depicting people from Pacific Northwest Indian tribes Among the other library items are displays of sheet music, calli graphy, fine printing, geography and travel books, diaries and maps, and herbals or botanical books A catalogue on the library ex hibit containing approximately 32 pages of background information and illustrations is available. Cost is $3, or $3 50 by mail The museum is open from noon to 5 p.m. daily except Mondays and holidays. Free guided tours are given Sundays beginning at 2 p.m. in the main foyer. For addi tional information; ca!! 686-3027 by kitty mithen Motel G&, Restaurant • Close to Uof O campus • Large heated pool • King®.Queen size beds • Access to jogging® bike paths along the river • Monthly®weekly rates avail- . able on one ® two bedroom 1 efficiency units. • Fully air conditioned • Famous" Black Angus Restau rant'on premises • Non-smokers rooms available • 60 newly remodeled rooms jrt^VlsrOXT® XIV 1ST 2121 Franklin Blvd. Eugene, Oregon ()7403 342-1243 HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER STUDENT HEALTH CENTER 9:30-3:30 m-f • HEALTH LIBRARY • FREE POSTERS & PAMPHLETS • TEL-MED LINE • ALLERGY SELF CARE Disco Happy Hour prices for the ladies, all day. Sunday: beginning at 8 PM Happy Hour: 4 - 7 PM Mon.-Fri. Well Drinks: $1.00 Free Hor d’ oeuvres Only at the Holiday Inn Holidome «■ Mtrfik dance • music • films • food • poetry APRIL 28: The film ‘‘Loose Pages Bound” Forum Room at 3:30 Amerasia Book Sale in EMU lobby" FOR a schedule of events, contact the ASIAN AMERICAN STUDENT UNION RM. 12, EMU 686 - 4342 Sponsored by (be ASIAN AMERICAN STUDENT UNON U. ol O. 4
