ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 15, 1994                   TAG: 9404150057
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By BECKY HEPLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium


OLD MESSAGE, NEW RELEVANCE

The spring production by Virginia Tech's Theatre Arts-University Theatre is a comedy with a very serious message.

Director Tony Distler said the pacifist message about man's inhumanity to man comes through clearly in "Oh What A Lovely War," despite the pratfalls and witty writing. The production runs Wednesday through Sunday.

It seems to be a message that needs hearing on a regular basis.

The show takes a hard look at World War I, probably the most destructive war in terms of human casualties (10 million to12 million dead and 5 million to 6 million missing, presumed dead). It was first performed in the 1960s, just as the American presence in Vietnam was attaining major proportions.

Distler said the selection committee at the university chose the play partly in response to the events in Bosnia in the past year.

"Obviously, every 20 to 30 years, we have to prove to each other just how idiotic it is to go to war," he said.

The production takes place in Great Britain during the 1914-1918 conflict and features much of the music from that period. Distler said it is an interesting combination of broad burlesque and bitter irony, which he said the students handle quite well.

While the message in the play is old, the format for the production is firmly rooted in '90s sensibilities and an MTV attention span. A series of skits, some as short as 30 seconds and none lasting more than seven minutes, gives the play a brisk pace.

Distler also pointed out the play features a mix of live action, projected images and lots of music, all of which keep it moving quickly.

The production is truly an ensemble effort. Each of the 15 students play five or six different roles throughout the play. The graduate students are responsible for sets, costumes and other design items; a community orchestra was recruited to provide the music.

Distler said the most difficult aspect of the play for the students was learning and then maintaining accents throughout the play. As a British play during World War I, it needs both Cockney and standard British accents doing British colloquialisms, as well as a host of other European voices.

"The theatre department faculty have been a tremendous help in voice training for this," Distler said.

The curtain rises on the Haymarket Stage in Squires at 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $7 for general public; $5 for students and seniors. Call (703) 231-5200 for more information.



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