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THEATER REVIEW Merry Wives offers light fun THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR Starring Eric Hoffmann, Karyn Johnson and Jackie Coleman ★★★★ out of ☆☆☆☆☆ BY LAUREN VAUGHN THE GAMECOCK Shakespearean comedy takes the stage across the world in various fancies and fashions, with each director, cast and crew adding new dimensions to the productions. The Merry Wives of Windsor makes no exception, but rather expands Shakespeare’s comical characters to a seemingly tarcical level. , Legend tells us that, after watching the debut of the character Falstaff in Henry IV, Part I, Queen Elizabeth demanded that Shakespeare write another play to include him. The result was The ^ Merry Wives, and USC Theatre South Carolina is presenting the play under the direction of Jim O’Connor. A grant from the Bicentennial Commission made the USC performance possible, and several guest actors and artists added to the perfomance’s excitement. i lie main piui sui i uunua Falstaff, played by guest actor Eric Hoffmann of Washington, D.C.’s Shakespeare Theatre. Falstaff, in desparate need of money, devises a plan to woo Mistress Page (Karyn Johnson) and Mistress Ford (Jackie Coleman) in hopes of getting their husbands’ money. When the two mistresses compare the love letters Falstaff sends them, they realize the letters are identical and vow to seek revenge on the plump knight and make a mockery of him. Their husbands, Page, played by guest actor Bob Hungerford, and Ford, played by guest actor Todd Denning, pursue the possible courter upon Ford’s jealous whim. In a separate story line, Anne Page (Fannie Hungerford), Page’s beautiful daughter, is in love with the handsome gentleman Fenton (Danny Hoskins). Mistress Page, however, wants Anne to marry Dr. Caius, a French physician played by guest actor David Wiles, who thinks himself extremely worthy of Miss Page’s hand. Slender (Scott Bellot), Page’s choice for his daughter, is an uneasy character who rarely thinks for himself and can only manage small talk in Anne’s company. He pursues the relationship because of encouragement from his uncle, Shallow (John Patrick Driscoll). Sir Hugh Evans, played by guest actor Hunter Boyle, is a Welsh parson who interjects his decadent humor into both plots. His animated and exaggerated action brings his character to the forefront, leaving the audience awaiting his next uncanny remark. i lie iiusi ui me uai iei mil, played by guest actor Larry McMullen, adds yet another dimension to the eclectic range of characters. The host instigates a duel between Haius and Evans, a sprightly latch for a fight. The Merry Wives is msidered one of bnaxespeare s most accessmie performance comedies because it lacks difficult language. Viewers unfamiliar with the exaggerated comedy realistically seen in several of today’s sitcoms would | most likely understand and appreciate the humor in The Merry Wives. Nothing in the play is more serious than the scene in which Falstaff, dressed as a deer, is terribly frightened by a swarm of “fairies.” Intermittent moments of witty humor make the l audience laugh hysterically, k Falstaff; Mistress Quickly, Dr. Caius’ servant; ft Sir Evans; and Doctor Caius are dynamic PI characters. Mistress Quickly (Marcy Kearns), who sends messages from mistresses Page and Ford to the cowardly Falstaff, is especially animated, as is Caius, with his lingering looks into the mirror and his regally pointed foot. The few props seem to create an entire village on stage. The outdoor, bedroom and inn scenes each have distinct qualities, even using the same props. Both on-stage guests and guest designers enhance the USC Theatre’s performance of The Merry Wives. In a truly flavorful production, O’Connor, cast and crew bring a kind of Shakespeare alive that not many people know exists. A Colonial LIFE & ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY Rewarding Opportunities for dynamic people! Colonial Life & Accident, a proven industry leader, has a unique business to business marketing opportunity. This position offers substantial earnings potential for the selected candidates. Join us on ' ".V;' ; \ Monday, October 8th at 6:oo P.M. in the Darla Moore School of Business, Room 634 for our Career Information Session. CALENDAR monaay October 8 WOMEN STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION: The Women Students’ Association will meet. 8 p.m. Flinn 101. Tuesday October 9 S.C. PROGRESSIVE NETWORK: More than 50 advocacy groups and people who work to promote human, civil, worker’s and reproductive rights; environmental protection; and government reform make up the statewide coalition, the S.C. Progressive Network. At their meeting, they will discuss our nation’s response to the terrorist attack and plans for the upcoming trial of the Charleston 5. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. 7 p.m. This That N the Other, 948 Harden St. A CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE ON EVOLUTION: Dr. Austin Hughes of the Biology department will give a talk explaining the evolution of man. A reception will follow. 7 p.m. Gambrell 250. SCOn ANGRAVE: British comedian Scott Angrave, who can be heard daily on the radio program The John Boy & Billy Big Show, will perform. Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8 and 10:30 p.m., Sunday, 8 p.m. $18. The Comedy House, 14 Berryhill Road. THE BIRDCAGE, GAMECOCK STYLE: BGLA’s fourth annual drag show will feature seven of South Carolina’s best female impersonators. Also featured will be Vegas-styje production numbers, comedy and a question-and-answer session. Donations will be accepted to benefit Palmetto Aids Life Support Services. 8 p.m. RH Ballroom. * Carney Working for the fai) isn’t for everyone CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 deals with the long hours be cause he enjoys his job. “If we got a little more money, it would be great.” One of the things he likes most is when his daughter visits him. He takes her on the rides, and they play the games. “This time of year is the best for me, when the fair comes around. Es pecially for my little girl; she thinks it’s great. We have a good time,” he said. The worker who wouldn’t give his name was less enthusi astic about his job. “I work from nine until close. It’s a long day, and most of the time I stand around doing nothing. I don’t get paid by the hour like the guys who do the rides. I work on com mission,” he said. Simpson agreed that one of the drawbacks of her line of work was the pay, but she was quick to point out the parts of her profession she loves. “My fa vorite part of my job is working with my employees,” she said. With 15 years’ experience, Mildred Scott has no complaints. “I get to talk to people, and it’s a * little extra money to put in your pocket,” she said. Scott agreed. “I have never dis liked working for the fair. I enjoy working with customers. That’s my job talent. Everybody knows me... It’s a family thing here.” The fair workers disagreed about what stereotypes people might have about them. Scott and Day, who only work in Co lumbia, didn’t give them a sec ond thought. “I don’t really think that there are any,” Day said. Scott said, “People always treat me very nicely.” Two workers who travel with the fair weren’t convinced that stereotypes about them don’t ex ist. “Yeah, of course there are stereotypes,” Simpson said. The anonymous worker added: “I used to do that for sure. I don’t blame people. I used to think the ' people who worked at the fair were assholes and weirdoes ... The fair smell—we called it car ney cologne.” About the label “carney,” Simpson simply said, “Carney, that’s a funny word.” People are eager to spend at the fair, photo by aaron hark '* • ’ :: Is Intelligent Design reedl# intelligent? or A CeffcHolic PerspeeBive On Evolution \ A talk by Dr* Austin Hughes Profemor of Biology use Sponsored bv The St Thomas More Catholic Center & The Newman Chib For more information: 799-5870 thomasmorecolumbia@hotmail.com www.stthomasmoreusc.org i) Tuesday October 9 GAMBRELL 250 7:00 p.m. Reception to follow All are invited! . t