ARTS Wednesday, November 4, 1987 The Michigan Daily Page 7 Irving's'World' By Lisa Magnino John Irving has been compared to Ernest Hemingway for his fanaticism for fitness, to Charles Dickens for his intricate, lengthy style, and to Tom Robbins for his sometimes lewd plot situations. Clearly, Irving is not a man easy to categorize. Irving's views about writing are just as confusing. In a recent interview with Time Magazine, he stated, "Good reading is the country's salvation." However, he also believes that good literature has become too obscure and trendy for mainstream America, and now is appealing only to those select few in literary circles. "By creating a taste for literature that n e e d s interpretation," he continued i n another interview, "we, of course, create jobs for reviewers, for critics, for the academy. I like books that can be read without those middlemen." However, Irving's books almost necessitate a middleman to divulge the messages hidden within the frenetic plots. Irving's education is a literary critic's delight. After an on-again, off-again undergraduate career, he went to the famed University of Iowa writing workshop where he studied along with Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. and Gail Godwin. He supported himself by teaching while his first three novels were published, and also participated in the Bread L oaf Writer's Conference. In 1978 Irving's popularity as a writer skyrocketed with the immediate success of The World According to Garp. Analyzing the novel's popularity, Irving said, "It has all the ingredients of an X-rated soap opera." The "Garp" phenom- enon was spectacular. It began as a media-blitz of bumper stickers, T- shirts, and balloons all referring to the main character of the novel, T.S. Garp. A movie, starring Robin Williams, with Irving and his sons in cameo roles, continued this hype. The World According to Garp was the first sign that Irving could walk both sides of the literary line. It won the1978 National Book Award, and it was a critical success with reviewers who commented on the Dickensian-like webs of symbols and its strongly satiric social commentary.. It's little wonder that Irving's next eagerly-anticipated novel, The Hotel New Hampshire, could hardly meet expectations. The public was confused by the even more intricate style and at times offended by the violence and sexual taboos of the novel. It met with mixed critical reviews, as critics wondered if Irving's Dickensian style was suffocating him. It was a welcome relief to see wins Irving's next novel, Cider House Rules, go in a new direction. Remnants of his past books remain - Irving continues his admiration of the 19th century novel through the main character who continually reads from Dickens' D a v i d Copperfield or Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. But its contemporary focus on the controversy of abortion has led to its labeling as Irving's polemic novel. What's up next for John Irving? He's at work on a new novel, of which little, including the title, is unknown. Whether he'll read from it tonight also is unknown, but with John Irving who can tell? He's always full of surprises, but you know that they have the potential of being great ones. John Irving appears at Hill Auditorium tonight at 8 p.m. as part of Hillel's Great Writer Series. Tickets are $12, $8, and $5. Popular novelist John Irving appears at Hil Auditorium tonight at 8 p.m. Students celebrate the roots of the '60s with'Hair' By Lorenzo Bnj This week at the Power Center the University Activities Center and Musket, a student theatre group, are presenting flair, the classic American tribal love-rock musical. In the 20 years since it was first unveiled at the New York Shakespeare Festival, many of the songs have become pop standards, and were even on the charts in the late '60s. Hair is a celebration of the hippie lifestyle cast against a background of social upheaval. The draft and Vietnam war are the two looming intractable "evils" in whose shadows the rebellious youth-spirit of the decade unfolds. Director David Freiman says his group is very cohesive; they're "be- coming a real tribe" and, though the production itself will entertain and exhilirate by virtue of it's memorable musical score, he is careful to point out that the show isn't just a "sugar-coated cruise" through a complex and difficult age. Rather, it gets "heavy and serious at the end." As opposed to the later movie version, Freiman's troops are sticking close to Gerome Ragni and James Rado's original text, which is much shorter on narrative structure. Though appearing like spontaneous and episodic actions due to lack of a strict, unilinear plot, Hair has been rigorously rehearsing for six weeks. The set is a crucial element to the success of the play. Bare and uncluttered, it leaves space for the energetic dance rhythms which effectively weave images for even the most imaginatively frigid of viewers to appreciate. HAIR will be at the Power Center, corner of Fletcher and Huron, tomorrow night through Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5.50 and $ 6.50 and are available at the Michigan Union Ticket Office. In addition, you can get a sneak preview of the action at special promotional performances taking place on the Diag today and tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. New House play 19 10 ./ By V.J. Beauchamp The New House Band, an English trad-rock line-up will be appearing tonight at the Ark. The group, which hails from various parts of England, was scheduled in to appear at the Ark last winter, but had to cancel due to inclement weather. No matter. Now, the four musicians are sure to show for tonight's performance. The New House Band are interested in making traditionally based music that is exciting and relevant, even to non-traditional music fans. They use traditional instruments, and they use contempories, too, and the combin- ation is used very tastefully. Here's a short run-down of the fab-four, and maybe, what you should expect. Ged Foley, the vocalist, is probably best known for his work with Scotland's Battlefield Band. He originates from Durham in the North East of England, and is one of the band's guitarists. He also plays mandoline and the distinctive Northumbrian pipes. Chris Parkinson, the keyboardist, made his name playing with Mike Harding and Dave Burland. He comes from the North West of England, and plays melodeon, accordion, fiddle, whistles, and harmonica. Brian Brooks is perhaps best known s tracu Stateside as a character with a brief run (and a strong Southern English accent!) on a daytime soap opera. He plays bouzouki, guitar, and sythesiser, and his musical claim to fame is the British Shegui band. And last but not least, John Skelton hails from Somerset in the West Country of England. He also played i n Shegui, and here features bodhran (Irish skin drum), Applachian " onal mix dulicimer, bombarde, and flutes and whistles. The Newhouse Band play from all over the map, drawing from British and Celtic folk to much more contemporary material. And they're at the Ark tonight for your taking. Tickets are $6.50 for Ark members and students, $7.50 for non-members. Showtime is 8 p.m. UAC/Musket presents H AI-R AT THE POWER CENTER NOVEMBER 5, 6, 7 AT 8PM Tickets Avaiable at the Michigan Union Ticket Office For more Info cal, 1 o and aU TicketMaster Outlets BE A LEADER! 4 aNrf SUMMER ORIENTATION 1988 The Office of Orientation is now accepting applications for full- time paid summer employment including room and board. Application deadline extended to Friday, Nov. 6,1987; bring to 3000 Michigan Union. For further information please call 764-6290. Your education will not end with graduation. As a grad- uate nurse at Rochester Methodist Hospital, you will - receive a comprehensive twelve-week long orientation where you will further develop your professional skills. Beyond orientation, you will have the challenges and the growth opportunities that a world-class medical center can provide. December grads apply now for positions available in early 1988. Starting salary $24,627. Attractive benefit package. Rochester Methodist Hospital is an 800-bed Mayo Foundation Hospital. Choose challenge. Choose growth. Choose Rochester Methodist Hospital. Rochester Methodist Hospital, Personnel Services, Nursing Recruitment Section, 201 West Center Street, Rochester, MN 55902, (507) 286-7091 (Collect). Rochester Methodist Hospital A MAYO FOUNDATION HOSPITAL An Equal Opportunity Employer O at the tS afmichigan union C (9ticket office fo more info cal 763-1107 AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION NON-DISCRIINATORY EMPLOYER The 7th Annual NALLI NOSE IT.. . 9 L.- %.. I 4 Nov. 6th & 7th Only , w . 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