The Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 26, Ed. 1 Friday, February 13, 1953 Page: 2 of 8
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Two
THE THRESHER
February 13, IMS
Owls Sponsor Second Rice Player Production of One - Acts
from under the
table . . .
An open challenge: to Hubert Rous-
sel.
By JAMES KORGES
Mr. Hubert Roussel, in last Sun-
day's Post, felt himself compelled
to examine the strange case of Sean
O'Casey and Broadway. He count-
ers the position taken by Brooks
Atkinson in the New York Times,
drawing some conclusions which
need close examination.
Mr. Atkinson objected in his
Times article to money being
squandered on theatrical trash in-
stead of being invested in produc-
tion of plays by O'Casey, one of the
greatest playwrights of our time.
Though Mr. Roussel, surely, recog-
nizes O'Casey's artistic merits and
significance as a dramatist, the
Houston Critic sees fit to justify
the neglect of O'Casey on Broad-
way. The Sage of the Houston Post
bases his argument on the risk in-
volved in producing plays by a man
whose political ideas do not con-
form to the only ones we are al-
lowed, by training and by soul pres-
sure, to have.
If one reads the plays of O'Casey,
if one reads the autobiographies,
the development of O'Casey's pres-
ent position becomes apparent. In-
justice, opression, class struggle
led him to other political'ideas than
those which foster such injustice,
opression. Yet, Mr. O'Casey does
not, either in the plays or autobiog-
raphies, preach dogmatically a po-
litical doctrine, and, being an art-
ist, he is bound to his vision of life,
not to the expression of current or
acceptable beliefs. To read Houston
criticism is apalling to those few of
as who believe in the integrity and
freedom of the artist; an example
is the criticism accorded by the
sages to Red Roses For Me. O'Cas-
ey presented a moment in Irish
history in which several ideologies
were in conflict; one of which was
English protestantism, in opposi-
tion to Tvish "Popery." The Hous-
ton oracles, however, took the
c-ross-of-dafodils stomping by the
protectants as a personal offense,
refusing to see it in context as one
of the conflicting attitudes present
in the Revolution which ,if O'Casey
was to show truly the forces at
work in the rebellion (and on his
character) had to be revealed. Mr.
Roussel, for what reason I do not
know, apparently thinks that the
playwright went out of his way to
incite violent reactions to this dra-
ma; Miss Ann Holmes, leading sap-
ient of the Houston Chronicle, pre-
ferred to receive Red Roses For Me
as a personal insult rather than as
a play.
Yet, oddly, we heard no cry of
righteous indignation from Mr.
Pvoussel and Miss Holmes concern-
ing Arthur Miller's Death of a
Salesman. Perhaps the implication
were not apparent: the glorious,
infallible American System failed
* ; ' ' i
fill
Open tryouts will be held tonight at 8 in Anderson Hall
110 for the second evening of theatre presented by the Rice
Players this year. Entitled "An Evening of Irish Drama," this
group of four one-act plays will be presented on March 12, 13,
and 14 at Autry House. The evening will include "Words on
the Window Pane" by Lady
Augusta Gregory and W. B.
Yeats, "The Inca of Perusalem"
by G. B. Shaw, "Land of Heart's
Desire" by W. B. Yeats, and "The
End of the Beginning" by Sean
O'Casey (see From Under the ta-
ble. . page 2)
This series of plays is sponsored
-O-
Dr. Tsanoff Publishes
New Philosophical Work
The main currents in recent philosophical thought are
presented in the final chapter of Dr. R. A. Tsanoff's latest
book The Great Philosophers, published recently by Harper &
Brothers. This new book by the famed head of Rice's Philo-
sophy department lays its emphasis upon the main philosophers
from classical antiquity to the
for Willy Loman; the American twentieth century. Dr. Tsanoff
phantasy of success for every man
through personal initiative led on-
ly to the defeat of a salesman. Mr.
Miller's play was the tragedy of a
man, and the indictment of a way
of life in which such a tragedy is
allowed to occur. O'Casey's Red
Roses For Me is no more challeng-
ing to our Society than Miller's
play.
Mr. Roussel seems to believe that
O'Casey's very fine drama failed in
Houston because the play did not
sufficiently interest an audience in
search of amusement, and Ijgcause velopment of Houston. He has serv-
its philosophy was repugnant to e(] only as president of the
includes biographical informa-
tion in this study and traces the
development of philosophy in rela-
tion to the intellectual and social-
cultural trends fo Western history
in science, literature and religion.
Dr. Tsanoff, head of the Philoso-
phy department since 1914, was
born in Bulgaria. He is a graduate
of Oberlin College and received his
PhD from Cornell. As member of
the Board of Directors of the Hous-
ton Symphony and a trustee of the
Museum of Fine Arts, Dr. Tsanoff
has been active in the cultural de-
Solomon, Pianist
Of Rare Power,
Symphony Guest
By ERMA S. SLAUGHTER by thg 0wen wister Literary So-
After a short jaunt to New York ciety.
where he acted as guest conductor "These plays offer a variety of
of the Philharmonic, Efrem Kurtz excellent parts," said Miss Georgia
roused .the Houston Symphony to ™nk' Bflnfi M°nai!er the
, . , . . , , ~ Players, "and the Players manage-
heights of excitement in last Tv.es- ment h that aU students ^th
days concert. In presenting their OT withont histrl<ml(, experience
all Beethoven program Mr. Kurtz read ,or parts ton, ht me
? "T/881. Pl^ on reserve at the Circu-
SOLOMON, justly called one of the ]ation desk ,n thc parish p, Col.
greatest pianists of our day. Iection Thc p!ayOT themselTM_ a
Mr. Kurtz and the orchestra faculty-alumni-student group are in-
gave an excellent interpretation of terested in producing plays and
the well known "Lenore" overture therefore no parts are pre-cast and
number one. Following the over- tryouts tonight are wide open."
ture, Beethoven's Fourth Symphony
was given ong. of its finest Hous-
ton performances. The first move-
ment embarked upon its lively way
with excellent accenting and move-
ment. The strings were especially
fine in this most lyrical and serene
of Beethoven's symphonies.
The evening reached its climax
in the, brilliant English pianist's . ,
n . -n > -n* tion of Houston is launching an Art
performance of Beethoven's Piano „ * , „ . „ ,,
„ , xt c tt' Rental Service for three reasons:
Concerto No. 5 ("Emperor"). His
technique is impeccable, clear and
singing in the pianissimo passages.
Solomon lent his personal power
to the last stiring movement, find-
ing adequate support for his in-
terpretation in Mr. Kurtz' direc-
tion of Houston's splendid orches-
tra.
O
Noted Indian To
Give Sunday
CAA Lecture
CAA Includes
In Rental Program;
Art Displayed
The Contemporary Arts Associa-
them. This, I believe, is not so much
a fault of O'Casey's as a death-
dealing insight into the intolerance
and inadequacy of Houston audienc-
es which look only for "Amuse-
ment" and what pleases their pas-
sive consciousnesses.
Further, .Mr. Roussel says that
the distinction of Texas theatres
having premiered two O'Casey
plays is no source for pride. To the
contrary; that the artist has been
heard, though by the blind and deaf
who revel in their righteousness, is
a source of hope for Texas Thea-
(Continued on Page 4)
Dedication ...
On behalf of the past and present Thresher editors and
staffs, we would like to dedicate this issue of the Thresher to
Dr. W. S. Dix, personal and journalistic friend, landlord extra-
ordinary and mentor. His loss to the Thresher will not easily be
filled.
Entered as seeonr] class matter, October 17, 1916, at the Post Office,
Houston, Texas, under the act of March 3, 1879.
Subscription Rate $1.00 Per Year.
Represented by National Advertising Service, Inc., 420 Madison Ave., New York City.
Published every Friday of the regular school year except during holiday and
examination periods by the students of the Rice Institute. Editorial and
Advertising offices are in the Fondren Library on the campus.
Editor Allyce Tinsley Cole
Business Manager v: Roger Bonney
American Philosophical Association
(Western Division) but also as
President of the Texas Folklore So-
ciety.
The Problem of Immortality, Stu-
dies in Personality and Value, The
Nature of Evil, Religious Cross-
roads, The Moral Ideals of Our Civi-
lization, The Ways of Genius and
Ethics are widely known among
the students of colleges and uni-
versities over the nation.
0
Current Books
On Lit Alum
Gift Shelves Now
Eleven books on Current affairs
have been added to the PALS
alumnae shelf recently and two to
the OWLS alumnae shelf.
OWLS Alumnae Collection
Waugh, Evelyn—Men at Arms.
Griffin, John H.—The Devil Rides
Outside.
PALS Alumnae Collection
Flores, Maria—The Woman with
the Whip.
Vining, Elizabeth (Gray)—Win-
dows for the Crown Prince.
Cooke, Hedley V.—Challenge and
(Continued on page 3)
to disseminate greater knowledge
of worthwhile painting and
sculpture—
to give Houston art-lovers an op-
portunity to enjoy fine original
art at minimum cost—
and to serve as a spur to Hous-
ton artists' own creative efforts
by placing their work in the
city's homes and office build-
ings.
For the renter, such a service
means that he can have original
work in his home or office inex-
pensively and temporarily; can "test
out" a work he may want to own
permanently; or vary his art theme
at intervals with a sense of visual
As a special event during the cur- refreshment.
rent "Modern Painting—Ways and The C.A.A. inauguarated its Art
Means" exhibition, the Contempor- Rental Service January 8, 1953, with
ary Arts Association will present an exhibition of work of Harris
an illustrated lecture entitled "In- County artists selected by an out-
dian Attitude and Approach to Art of-town jury. After the opening ex-
and Aesthetics" by Dr. Niharran- hibit at the Museum, works are -
jan Ray. This, the last lecture in Available for rent. How?— Koda-
the United States by Dr. Ray, will chrome slides of each painting and
be presented tonight at 7:30 at the sculpture are on file at the
museum, 302 Dallas. There will be Museum. They may be viewed, by
no admission charged. projection, in the Museum or at
Soon after his lecture Dr. Ray the potential renter's home or office,
will return to his position as B&- at his request. An Art Rental Service
gisvari Professor and Chairman of committeeman will render this serv-
the Department of Indian Art and ice at the Museum each Thursday
Culture at the University of Cal- between 5 PM and 9 PM, or the
cutta, India. Dr. Ray, as will be renter may call C.A.A. and make an
remembered, is the author of Brah- appointment for another time, FA-
manism and Brahmanical Gods in 2840.
Burma, as well as having been Thus the Contemporary Arts As-
guest lecturer at the Metropolitan sociation simplifies and makes easi-
Museum of Art, Yale University, ly accessible the acquisition and
Harvard, The National Gallery, and enjoyment of art by the citizen of
other distinguished positions. every size pocketbook.
The Co-Op Announces
A Complete Line of
Penquin, Pelican, Pocketbook,
and Modern Library Selections
THE RICE INSTITUTE
CO-OPERATIVE STORE
Upcoming Pages
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The Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 26, Ed. 1 Friday, February 13, 1953, newspaper, February 13, 1953; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth230930/m1/2/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.