Noises Off – an art review by Steven Guthrie
What do you get when you combine a handful of eccentric thespians, an elusive bottle of booze, and untold numbers of sardines? An incredibly funny and entertaining play! If you have ever performed in a theatrical production then this play is definitely a must see. But even if you are not an actor, you’ll surely appreciate the comedy this play has to offer. “Noises Off,” presented by the WSU School of Performing Arts is a three-act play within a play. Act one shows us a standard rehearsal, which any actor will be familiar with. The play cast is in a final practice before they appear on stage for their performance in the second act of the inner play, “Nothing On.” The audience does not actually witness the performance itself; instead we go behind the scenes and witness the antics of the cast and crew as they struggle to maintain some semblance of order – and fail miserably. For the third and final act of “Noises Off” the stage revolves a second time and we once again see the set of “Nothing On.” This time, rather than a practice, we are treated to every performer’s worst nightmare – a play where nothing goes right, and everything goes wrong. The comedy of this play will appeal to all viewers, however, any performers among you will leave the theater with a grin all the wider, for you have lived it.
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The Fiber Studio – an art review by Steven Guthrie
On the night of our grand opening at Shift Space, a great many galleries were open along Commerce Street. One lovely little place was “The Fiber Studio.” Paintings, charcoal drawings, and sculptures could all be found here, but the crowning achievements in this gallery were its namesake pieces – tapestries woven of fiber and ribbon. The intricacy of the threads weaving into such complex pictures was simply stunning. The majority of the pieces were of landscapes and of nature. The sculptures were quite unique; while they portrayed no particular image the effect was quite natural. Gentle curves – singing songs of nature – composed a variety of bowls, vases, and abstract figures; the most notable aspect of which was their striking, stone-like texture. Overall the gallery presented a very calming air. This effect was only enhanced by the live music performed by Trevor Stewart as he gracefully manipulated the Chapman Stick (a stringed instrument, which places both guitar and bass simultaneously at your fingertips).
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The Tempest – an art review by Steven Guthrie
This play is – quite bluntly – not what one would expect from a work of Shakespeare. This performance of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” as portrayed by the WSU School of Performing Arts lacked the flavor that normally accompanies a Shakespearian play. This is by no means to say that the performance was bad, in fact the acting was rather good, if slightly on the “hammy” side. One viewer stated that the play was “uninspiring,” for although the dialog came unaltered from the Bard’s pen, this play most definitely was not what William Shakespeare envisioned when he wrote “The Tempest.” From ancient China, to a circus, to professional wrestling this rendition of “The Tempest” strayed long and far from the Bard’s original setting on a lone island. The only scene, which even stayed that true to Shakespeare’s vision, was set on Hawaii, with Prospero portrayed in the guise of Elvis Presley. Each scene set the play in a different time and place; accomplished through the use of small props as well as a stunning backdrop, projected like a slideshow. In addition the play was enacted with all characters portrayed by six performers. This was an interesting artistic experiment, however it was difficult to follow the story line (especially if you haven’t seen “The Tempest” in its true form, like me). In a way, this rendition of “The Tempest” reminded me of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)” by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, where three men perform all thirty-seven Shakespearian plays in an hour and a half. However unlike the RSC’s obvious comedic presentation, I was unaware that “The Tempest” was not Shakespeare’s original. In closing, I advise that if you have not seen Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” or if you wish to experience the true flavor of Shakespeare – do not see this play. On the other hand, however, if you have seen “The Tempest” in all its grandeur, and wish to walk a little on the wild side, then this play may be just the thing for you.
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WSU Concert Band & WSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble
– an art review by Steven Guthrie
The Wichita State University School of Music proudly presented its concert band and symphonic wind ensemble on Monday, May 8, 2006 in Millar Concert Hall from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The concert band started the night off with Alfred Reed’s “A Festival Prelude,” following with “With Each Sunset,” “Portrait of a Clown,” “Procession of the Nobles,” and “His Honor,” and concluding with “Laude.” Following intermission, the symphonic wind ensemble took up their instruments to play “Fanfare Canzoniques,” “Konzertstuck,” and finishing the evening with the compilation piece “Lincolnshire Posy.” The talent of the players was obvious. The music flowed seamlessly from ordered rows of matching black outfits. Even rapid changes in conductor could not throw this lot for a loop. In addition to WSU’s resident conductors Professor Brian Silvey (band) and Dr. Victor Markovich (ensemble), graduate conducting assistant, Paula Leshkevich took center stage to direct the band during “His Honor.” Also, Craig Kirchhoff, the University of Minnesota band director appeared as a guest conductor for “Procession of the Nobles” and “Lincolnshire Posy.” The most notable event of the evening was the performance of “Portrait of a Clown.” For this piece, Cody Procter, a WSU student, appeared as a mime. His was an excellent performance as he portrayed a marionette escaping its strings. While some of the songs were perhaps “long-winded,” they were all quite beautiful and the night was very enjoyable.