University of Virginia Library

'Wheel' Hits Insanity
Of Wartime Atrocities

The Virginia Players open
their final production of the
year next Monday, May 8.
"The Catherine Wheel," an
original play written by
graduate drama student and
Schubert fellow in playwriting
Ellen Mease, is the story of a
man's personal conflict with
war. Directed by E. Roger
Boyle, the play features an
intricate set design by drama
department chairman David W.
Weiss.

It is the story of a former
soldier, Antonio, who has
sought refuge in an asylum. He
seeks his own sanity among the
insane, driven there by the
thoughts of the atrocities he
has committed while waging
war. He adjusts to his position
only to have Mara, played by
Carol Hurlburt, arrive at the
asylum intent on returning
Antonio to his previous way of
life by leading her army into
battle once again.

Pat David plays the title role
of Antonio, with Claudia Lacy
as Lisa, his wife. Guthrie
Gordon, Jack Staub, and Sally
Booker are inmates of the
institution, each caught up in
his fantasy world as a pope,
magician, and queen,
respectively.

"The Catherine Wheel" will
run through Sunday, May 14,
with performances nightly at
8:30 p.m. in Minor Hall. There
is also a Saturday matinee
performance at 2:30.

Tickets are $1.50 for
students Monday through
Wednesday night, and $2 at
all other times. Reservations
for any performance may be
made in person or by calling
the Minor Hall box office at
924-3051 any afternoon
between 2 and 5 p.m.