The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 54, No. 10, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 17, 1966 Page: 3 of 12
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Marat-Sade' hailed successful insult to western culture
By ROGER GLADE
Thresher Fine Arts Editor
Without a doubt "The Per-
secution and Assassination of
Jean-Paul Marat as Performed
'by the Inmates of the Asylum
at Charenton under the Direc-
tion of the Marquis De Sade"
is everything that its monstr-
ous title indicates.
By turns it is compelling, ter-
rifying, insulting, overly long,
a crashing bore, and incredibly
effective.
In short, and perhaps not
without a good deal of design
on the part of the author (Peter
Weiss) it is an exercise in
theatrical, psychological, and
social paradox which canntohelp
but impress even the casual
viewer.
Insults Entire West
Plots for this play are ir-
relevant. The story is exactly
what the title says it is. More
germane and interesting is the
fact that Weiss has succeeded
in insulting the cultural pat-
terns of the entire western
world and got them standing
on their feet clapping.
The Marquis De Sade puts it
admirably at the end of the
show in describing the marital
unrest which will result from
a couple's varying reactions.
"He'll thing it filthy," he chort-
les, "She'll think it moral."
Indeed, the judgment is a
hard one to make.
Immoral and Obscene
Considering that (1) we are
confronted with a blanket con-
demnation of Christianity as a
means of oppression of the poor,
(2) we are told that the only
meaningful relationship be-
tween people is intensely sexual
and nothing more, (3) we are
told that war is barbaric and
that any soldiers fighting any-
where in thie. world are hence
barbarians (Le. Viet-Nam), it is
not surprising that many should
be offended.
Further, Weiss pulls no pun-
ches in his technique. Using-
the lunatics as. an excuse for
immoral (if not obsene) exhi-
bitions, the audience is treated
if you ever write
a book this good,
send it to us
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to the irony of a sex-craned
mainac and a catatonic woman
acting a tender platonic love
scene while he uses her to ful-
lest advantage.
And then of course, there's
always the "nude" scene where
Marat rises naked from his
bath (and, yes, friends, he is
naked).
Sit Up and Think!
All this is not mere sensa-
tionalism — but rather clear
signposts from the author which
scream "God damn it, world,
sit up, take notice, and think!"
And think we must. This is
the most unpalatable pill of all.
Thoroughly intellectually
"Shaken, we leave the*theatre to
reconsider a few old views (or
maybe, simply offended, we
stalk out and re-affirm our
prejudices). In either case,
Weiss has succeeded.
The only unsuccessful reac-
tion is total boredom and apa-
thy, and if you have any per-
ceptive faculty at all, this will
not occur.
Three Wrong Sides
As far as this production is
concerned, it was not originally
and should not now be designed
New exhibits break cultural warp;
museums feature England, Spain
By CLINT GOODSON
Thresher Fine Arts Editor
The severe cultural warp that
has gripped Houston since the
end of the contrived "Festival
of Arts" in October has been
temporarily allayed by the in-
stallation of new exhibits in the
city's two foremost art mus-
eums.
"British Watercoloi-s: 1750-
1850", due to show until Decem-
ber 11, opened Tuesday at the
Museum of Fine Arts. A hun-
dred examples from London's
Tate Gallery, including works
by Constable, Turner, Cozens,
and William Blakl, fill much
of the second-story exhibition
space of the museum. The re-
trospective show of Eduardo
Chillida is still installed in the
Cullen Gallery.
If the British watercolors of
this period seem of penuetimate
interest, it should be remem-
bered that they materially in-
fluenced the Impressionists.
Not that this exhibition needs
to be justified by its historical
significance. It stands on its
own merits: the technique of
watercolor gained its respec-
tibility in this British move-
ment.
Versatility
The inclusion of many lesser
masters emphasizes the ver-
satility of the movement, and in
many cases these lesser known
artist have produced the more
technically virtuous works.
The subjects of the water-
colors are limited: they are
mostly landscapes with a few
representations of the city. But
even in this limited subject mat-
ter they are individual: style
varies amazingly from artist to
artist. .. .
The two examples of William
Blake are surely the most in-
triguing works on exhibit, al-
though they are not as abstract-
ly mystical as some of his
works. His style is very much
like that of Kahlil Gibran, some
of whose drawings hung in
Fondren Library in 19647
Modern Spanish
If, after looking at eighteenth
century watercolors, you feel
like returning to more immedi-
ate cultural concerns, drop into
the Contemporary Arts Muse-
um, where an exhibition of re-
cent Spanish art has been in-
stalled.
This is a diminute exhibit—
there are surely no more than
twenty works—but these few
canvases are unusually pleas-
ing. Abstract mbtifs dominate,
with some op, but no pop in-
fluence.
Contrast
This is in stark contrast with
the "Art Across America" ex-
hibit that just closed at this
same museum. Pop influence
literally overwhelmed all others
in that exhibit.
Taken with the "Made of
%
Iron" exhibit at St. Thomas
University, these two shows
(and the Chillida retrospective)
comprise the best cultural en-
tertainment in town right now,
excepting, perhaps, Lightnin'
Hopins and "Marat/Sade."
for arena staging. For one
thing there are just too many
people (26) to handle focus and
sightlines effectively.
As a result, if you sit on any
of the three wrong sides (and
there are only four in all) you
will curse both yourself and
the director. It is more the dir-
ector's fault than anything else.
But we nit-pick. The perform-
ances are generally excellent.
The troupe is well co-ordinated
and there is hardly a rough
spot in the show (with the
single glaring exception, un-
fortunately, of the "copulation
round" which didn't come off
at all).
Drools and Giggles
It is a constant joy to sit
and watch each lunatic, who has
picked his won neurosis and
has stuck with it. This one has
a nervous twietch, that one
drools and giggles from time to
time. But all of them are in-
ternally consistant.
Naturally De Sade (Ralph
Clanton) and Marat (John Dev-
lin) dominate the show and
their performances were con-
summate with the demands of
their roles—they cannot be any-
thing less than excellent or the
show falls apart.
Jerry Terheyden as the Her-
ald is also top-notch and be-
trays the ease of a man who has
played this role many times be-
fore.
Spellbinding Insults
Aside from that, special lun-
acy awards go to Carol Peearce
(the "Idiot Girl"), Barbara
Stanton (Simmonne Evrard),
and Jack Erthal (The Abbot),
for performances which never
allowed eyes to leave them.
The effect is spellbinding.
The polemics, insulting. The ex-
perience is worth all the effort
to get out to Houston Music
Theatre.
It is possibly the finest thing
Houston will see for a long time
to come.
For you and your Yum-Yum *
Turkey trauma strikes marshlands
By ROGER GLADE
Turkey grades are icumin in
Ludly sing cucu
Flunketh some and passeth none
Except a luckey few
O to be a Freshman now that fall is here. It
is fall, you know (tra-la — we of the yum-yum
staff realized this one day recently when it was
brought home that we had thirty-six hours, two
take-home exams, three papers and a seminar
report (for which we had volunteered) to finish
off.
La!
But you don't hear us complain. It gets to be
axiomatic after a while that days immediately
prior to or immediately following holidays are
nothing short of academic hell — largely because
we have dawdled too long in those halcyon days
of Indian summer.
You know—Indian summer—that's When it
was ninety—about a week ago. Anyway, we must
remember the imortal words of Sessue Hyakawa
to Alec Guiness in "Bridge on the River Kwai":
Be happy in your work.
A variation of this theme was also offered by
the seven dwarfs.
At any rate, since you are not as we (that is,
you are organized, motivated, and competent,
while we on the other hand—), you have obvious-
ly nothing to do this week.
Except watch the skies for the great meteor
shower with your yum-yum on some dark night.
(Note: In case you're interested, it was last week,
but that shouldn't make looking any the less
interesting).
Anyway, should it get cold (as indeed it might,
being Fall and all)—like to about sixty, you can
bundle your yum-yum off to the great and wond-
rous (and warm) attractions of Houston cultural
life.
We have a modest example of them here.
BRAISED BEEEL TIPS:
THE PERSECUTION AND ASSASSINA-
TION OF JEAN-JAUL MARAT AS PER-
FORMED BY THE INMATES OF THE
ASYLUM AT CHARENTON UNDER THE
DIRECTION OF THE MARQUIS DE SADE
IS IN TOWN!!!
If you go (and you have to, there's no way
out—if you miss it, turn in your culture-monger
card) do NOT sit on any aisle except those num-
bered 1, 2, 14 or 15. (especially if you have a seat
which normally sells for over $3.50.
Student discounts across the board are avail-
able (except on Saturday) and they (that is, the
management, not the inmates) would welcome
you with open arms. (Bring your own popcorn,
candy and chewing' gum, theycharge high prices
—and don't buy the souvenir program, it's hor-
rid). (Houston Music Theatre). SUGAR CUBES
AU JUS:
The Lovin' Spoonful arrives this week-end
and should provide an interesting evening for
those who'd like to go and stare at the heads,
freaks, vietniks and philosophy professors who
are bound to :$oat in on their private magenta
clouds. Wear your gas mask or be prepared for
a stronger show than you even imagined. (Novem-
ber 21, Music Hall)
The music will even be good.
CREME DE BANANE (WITH OLIVES):
"Alfie": Meyerland Cinema (SUPER!?)
"The Gospel According to St. Matthew": Vil-
lage.
"The Bible": Tower
TOMATOES SURPRISE:
Word has it that sometime soon the Elizabeth
Baldwin Literary Society (and we use the terms
advisedly) will produce their parody of last week's
Hanszen production (which that august body
titled "Bingo" and which the EC'S have, in the •
wisdom, re-named "Bye-Bye Birdie").
We don't know when it will be—or indeed if
it will he at all—but ask the nearest lit girl's boy
friend.
It could be delightful, in many varied and
wondrous ways.
We love you anyway, girls,
A PARTING TASTE:'
FRIDAY: "Marat/Sade." (Houston Music The
atre): SATURDAY: First Annual Flying Saucer
Watch (Stadium). Party follows. Take a flying
saucer to bed. SUNDAY: "Alfie" (Meyerland
Cinema) MONDAY: (it's a long week-end,
friends) The Lovin' Spoonful. (Music Hall).
Total Cost: $12.00 (live a little!)
; v*
CARL MANN, President
The Ideal Association.
You and University
Cart Mann, life-long supporter of Rice athletics, in-
vites you to open an account at„Universit$? Savings.
Conveniently located near the Rice campus in The
Village, University Savings stands ready to help
you set up a systematic savings program tailored to
fit your budget and future requirements.
UNIVERSITY SAVINGS
2500 Dunstan in The Village (home office)
5225 Bellaire Blvd. (branch, office).
THE RICE THRESHER, NOVEMBER 1 7, 196 6—P AGE 3
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Coyner, Sandy. The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 54, No. 10, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 17, 1966, newspaper, November 17, 1966; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth244985/m1/3/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.