University of Virginia Library

Use Of Mime

Miss Mease should also be
praised for her use of mime to
accentuate the spoken dialogue.
Not only do the mimes
intermittently performed behind a
screen give added depth to the
script, but they also provide visual
relief in some of the more
loquacious scenes. And, finally,
Miss Mease moves her actors
extremely well - there is a great
deal of physical acting on display
here - and whether doing their
almost choreographed exercises or
playing with sex, there is an
unusual rhythmic grace to many of
the actors' motions.

The intensive training Miss
Mease put her actors through has
paid off with some very fine
performances. Foremost among
these are Paula Johnson's
hard-crusted Irma, Chief Gordon's
stammering Bishop, Ron Reinsel's
fearful Judge, W.A. Williamson's
childish General, and W. Simpers'
well-mannered Court Envoy. Eric
Singerman is satisfactory as the
Chief of Police and Lisi Skeels is
competent enough as Irma's
favorite whore.