University of Virginia Library

Imaginative Rehearsals:
'Balcony' Is Fifth Play

Monday, April 19, through
Saturday, April 24, at 8:30 P.M. in
Minor Hall, the Virginia Players will
present their fifth major production
of the year — The Balcony by Jean
Genet.

The play is set in a brothel that
caters to refined sensibilities and
peculiar tastes. Costumed diversions
take place while outside a
revolution rages which has isolated
the brothel from the rest of the
rebel-controlled city. In a series of
macabre, climactic scenes, Genet
presents his caustic view of man
and society.

The production has undergone a
rehearsal process different from the
usual Virginia Players procedure.
Early rehearsals centered around
actor training in a workshop
situation rather than a performance
situation. The script was not
approached for three weeks, during
which time the company of actors
went through a series of rigorous
exercises in physical strength and
flexibility, physical sensitivity,
group awareness, and histrionic
imagination. Scene work, when the
script was finally broached, derived
from improvisations and movement
exercises, incorporating music and
pantomime. The company stayed
entirely away from traditional
performance values during
rehearsal, working for case and
comfort with a difficult script, a
gradual discovery of various keys to
characterization and a continued
sense of exploration.

The play's director is Ellen
Mease, assisted by Don Shaw.
Scenic design is by J. Craig
Johnson, costume design by Lois
Garren. Music has been created
especially for the production by
Bruce Brandfon and Kent Beye.
The cast includes Lawrence Alaimo,
P. Vincent Ames II, Lindanne
Bethel, Barb Bishop, Cheryl Bradt,
Robert Chisholm, Sandra Cook,
Jane Deal, F. Guthrie Gordon III,
Susan Hardwicke, Claudia Haynes,
Charlie Jarvis, Paula Johnson,
Parker Murphy, Steven Nunnally,
Peter Pentz, Ronald E. Reinsel,
Woody Romine, W. Simpers, Eric
Singerman, Lise Skeels, David
Spurlock, Karen Wible, and W.A.
Williamson.

Tickets are $1.50 Monday
through Thursday, $2.00 Friday
and Saturday, with a special
University student rate of $1.00
Monday through Wednesday.
Reservations can be made by
phoning the box office in Minor
Hall, 924-3051, open 2:00-5:00
P.M. Monday through Friday and
until curtain time; 8:30 P.M.
during the run of the show.