Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Vincent By Jeffrey Charnev Assistant Entertainment Editor "The first and only duty in life is to enjoy it," once remarked British playwright Oscar Wilde. Nowhere was Wilde's v comment more evident than in' Diversions and Delights, starring Vincent Price, Friday at the Township Auditorium. IT IS RARE for such a legendary stage and screen performer to be brought to Columbia and Vincent Price's performance as Oscar U/i Mn mac nntKinrt cKnwt nnno Tf iiuc nuo iiuMiiug ciiiui l W1 ajiCV" tacular. The aiidience sat in utter amazement as they witnessed 90 minutes of polished "acting" in the true sense of the word. Diversions and Delights, written by John Gay, basically concerned the diverse, yfct humorously witty nature of British playwright, Oscar Wilde. " 0,V?l^^^^**V<? ! !H $ *>~*t&Qs& Price makes a point during an the Columbia Airport Doc and ft footstom %I ------- J By Tom Travte Doc and Merle Watson brought their talented pickin' to the Quarter Moon last Thursday night and electrified a foot stomping audience with a smooth combination of bluegrass and blues. From the opening number of "Black Mountain Rag," until the traditional Watson rendition of Jimmy Driftwood's "Tennessee Stud," Doc and Merle established themselves as masters of the Blue Ridge ballad. Watson's versatility was mgnugniea wim an easy transmon from the bluesy "Summertime" to a rocking version of "Deep River Blues," one of the best songs of the set. MERLE'S LEAD GUITAR and banjo were fine compliments to Doc's tight flat top picking. Doc Watson has often been referred to as the finest flat-top picker in the country, and he reaffirmed this claim during the number "Wendy 1 ? ? > ? w i # * ? < ? Magnificent on Price div In flHHitlAn tn Kin , wiMVMuvli W * 1110 OUVVVOd lci*5 a playwright, Wilde was the most celebrated conversationalist ofliis generation in the late 1800's. His most famous plays are The Picture of Dorian Gray, An Ideal Husband and The Importance of Being Earnest. With such brilliant success also came disastrous controversy, for Wilde was accused of homosexuality. Although he denied this, he was ordered to be imprisoned for two years. IT WAS APPARENT that Vincent Price could meet the challenge of portraying such a complex character as Wilde from the moment that he appeared on stage. His presence added an unexplainable aura which elevated the set from its drab simplicity, consisting of only a chair, table impromtu press conference at terle Wotsc ping bluegi and Warren," in which he and Merle "traded licks" and got the crowd moving. The excellent sound system at the Quarter Moon, which could expose the slightest musical mistake, seemed to spur the Watsons to an extreme level of musical precision. BOB DYLAN'S "Don't Think Twice" was one of the mellowest and most moving songs of the night, and Watson's voice seemed stronger and more mystical than ever. Watson, who has been touring for more than 18 years, likes to play smaller clubs and "shows no signs of slowing up/' according to his son Merle. "We don't play for just the money," he said. "Money don't always get us places." ACCORDING TO MERLE, the entire Watson family, from Deep Gap, N.C., plays a wide variety of musical instruments, from bank* to autoharps. "We don't really play le man performanc erts and < and a lectern. Throughout the performance Price utilized each of these props to their fullest, without summing nis movements to only one part of the stage. It wals evident from the play's forceful beginning that no topic would be barred, as Price stated, "If I offend you don't feel bad, for I offend everyone." This statement was certainly not an exaggeration, for during the course of the performance, he attacked everything and everyone ranging from Southerners, to the Church and finally a vicious attack on the press. However, absolutely no one was offended, which is a credit to a clever script by John Gay and a subtle, yet sarcastic delivery by Price. DURING THE FIRST half of the performance, Price allowed the audience to become familiar with the humorous, yet brilliant personality of Wilde. His eccentric and cynical nature was basically brought to the forefront, with his intense feelings toward his past prison sentences concealed inside. For this reason the audience did not lose touch with the play during the intermission and realized that there must be something more The second half of the performance was deeper, delving into the seriousness of Wilde's ailments and more importantly stressing the confusion involved in his love . for another man. Wilde's cynical success expressed in the first half of the performance had now been transformed into a wretched and resentful bitterness toward life, as he approached death. Through these dynamically emotional recollections of prison, Price conveyed Wilde's feelings of punishment, depravity, and isolation that resulted in the end of his writing and ultimately the end of his life. However, the performance refused to end on such a somber and negative tone, but closed as Price laughingly sighed, "Give me the luxuries of life and I will despense with the necessities." THE CROWD SAT in silence until the incomparable Price returned to the stage where he was mperjurm rass, blues bluegrass. We play more of a wide spectrum of music," he said. Merle's talents include lead and slide guitar and banjo, and he admits to being influenced mainly by black blues singers along with a heavy preference to Allman Brothers' tunes. Doc, who has been blind since birth, complements his exceptional guitar picking with harmonica and 'smooth, almost unearthly vocals. Watson led in to his legendary version of "Tennessee Stud" near the end of his set, and the crowd was screaming. This mountain ballad is Watson's trademark, and the tight picking combined with the lighthearted lyrics had the audience hanging on every word. Rob Crosby, a well known local talent, opened both shows for Watson with' solo performances. Crowby provided fine opening shows, which included his "Santee River Song," which set the mood for a great night of high quality music. e as Oscar Wilde delights 1 ammumuwunu la'l^ I ;V..-*4 Vincent Price expresses his ia/;I^? W W ffMV* immediately greeted with and enthusiastic standing ovation. Diversions and Delights ap peared as if John Gay had writtei the play especially for Price. A first this seemed surprising, foi Price was most noted for his ap pearances in over 100 horror films. In a brief conversation with Price, I discovered that he is enjoying his stage career, just as much or possibly more than his career on screen. "I think Diversions and Delights is the best thing I have ever done in my life. It's wonderfully funny, witty, moving, touching, and a joy to play," Price confidently stated. PRICE IS A MAN who is able to reflect on his years in horror films wnn no quaims and regrets, out basically sees a difference between his style of horror film and . The sincere vocals of Doc V "ownship ? ; ' WlB||yi |JWi|l|i''i|l| 'l' 1 II I I In ili/lfi1 I I' l' |I|| '''"i I'll, / jfrWm^m^^tr jp' : ,*ii$:fo*?mWM efesqg^Br jflf jjflr . ''.rtriL^k:ljrf4^B^^M$Si&i /jaBPF^jcS^'V it^T^Bteiirali^Blillil ^^j|MM|^^^W|Wh^?|g||| feefings on portraying Oscar I those of the present. "Today sex and violence detracts from the really entertaining quality of the i genuine thriller and are only done t to get people into the theatre." He > continued to explain that his favorite film was Laura. He feels that his primary involvement with horror films does not have much bearing on the way people react to him on stage. He adds, "I have done many Hollywood Squares and various television shows, which really don't relate in one way." AS HE LOOKS toward the future, Price will continue to tour with D iuprsinnc nnri Tloli rthtc fnn ? - . ~ V4..M Jb/Vligiuo 1UI another year, performing in Australia, New Zealand and hopefully going to Japan. After this he will make a film in England. Out of the many places that Sm Price, pege 8 v i > VatSQn at the Quarter Moon.. ..... ^ .