From politics to dancing to pyrotechnics, the Drama department's production of Lorraine Hansberry's "Les Blancs" has a little bit of everything. "Les Blancs," a play about liberation, racism, colonialism and identity in central Africa during the mid twentieth century, is the Drama department's third production of the 2003-2004 school year.
Second-year College student Horace Ballard, who saw the show Thursday night, said he was pleased that the Drama department decided to do the show, despite the controversy the play often sparks when performed.
"I thought it was an incredible show," Ballard said. "I'm glad the Culbreth was brave enough to do it."
Ballard said the Broadway production of the play caused racial tension and controversy when it was first performed. In light of this reputation and history, Ballard said he thought that the University production was well handled by the director, Clinton Johnston, and the cast.
The play was "treated with a lot of depth and passion," Ballard said. "You can tell Clinton and the department tried to make the play and the characters accessible to the audience without taking away the inherent truths Lorraine Hansberry wanted to show the audience."
"Les Blancs" explores the political and cultural conflicts between white colonists and African natives. Main characters include: Tshembe Matoseh (played by second-year Graduate Drama student Ebenezer Quaye), recently returned to his village to mourn his father's death, Charlie Morris (played by second-year Graduate Drama student Chris Cannon), an American journalist who comes to write about the current situation and several other missionaries and doctors.
Though the conflict portrayed in the play is between blacks and whites, the conflict itself is arguably gray, with the answers and solutions being unclear.
Ballard said through Johnston's directing, the audience gets a sense of the needs, desires and national pride of the many groups involved in the struggle, from the Africans to the missionaries.
Ballard also said he never knew what to expect while watching the performance.
"We go from a scene with two people talking to the pyrotechnics in the end," Ballard said. "You're never left feeling that something is about to happen or that something is lacking. The pacing is perfect."
Ballard, who is also involved with theater, said he admires the actors for what they did in "Les Blancs." His overall impression of the play was enthusiastic.
"I wish Lorraine Hansberry had seen it," he said.
But don't take Ballard's word for it -- you can see "Les Blancs" for yourself this Wednesday through Saturday in the Culbreth Theater at 8 p.m.
Read More
Holding onto every grain in the hourglass
By Mai Hukuoka | 3 hours agoNow that I’m back at school, I have made it my mission to take note of the sneaky passage of time.
Students brave the cold for a whirlwind sorority rush
By Mia Tan | 2 days agoStudents recount a mix of emotions from rush, with some disappointed after dropping from the recruitment process and others ecstatic to join Greek life.
Top 10 ways to avoid burnout this semester
By Sam Saks | 3 days agoAs you settle into this semester, try implementing these 10 tactics to take care of yourself and wave goodbye to burnout.
