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Drama students prepare for play in renovated Lampton
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| By: THERESE APEL, DAILY LEADER Staff Writer |
October 27, 2009 |
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Students from the Mississippi School of the Arts are hard at work on their next production, "Machinal" by Sophie Treadwell, which will be shown at MSA Wednesday through Sunday.
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Drama instructor Dr. Robert Brooks said the production is an American tragedy about the first woman to ever be executed in New York State.
"This is an expressionistic play from the 1920s about a real murder trial," he said. "The reporter who covered the trial wrote this play, and she thought a real injustice was done."
Brooks said the play is a dark one, with some adult themes at issue. While it isn't inappropriate for children, Brooks said it's definitely more appropriate for an older audience.
"Children would probably be bored by it because it deals with adult topics," he said.
The play revolves around the life of Helen Jones, who marries a kind man because she feels it's her duty to society to marry and start a family. It follows her mental trail as she tries to reconcile the feelings she has toward what is in essence giving her life away.
"It's telling a story very close to the real murder trial, and there are abstract moments where we get to see things from the woman's perspective, like there are times she hears voices," Brooks said. "It's dark, and it's a tragedy, and it's a little strange in places, but overall it tells a good story."
The performance is the first one to take place in the Lampton Auditorium at MSA since it was closed for renovation early this year. Upgrades for handicapped accessibility have been made, and the historic performance hall is open for business once again.
The play takes place on Oct. 28-30 at 7 p.m., and on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for students. Tickets may be reserved by calling 601-823-1317.
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©The Daily Leader 2009
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