SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1940 ,rHE PAGE THE MT~CHIGAN DAITLY PAGE 'The ritic' Will Open 7-Play Summer Repertory Season Whitford Kane, Irish Actor, Discusses Plays And People Whitford Kane, the lovable Irish actor Ann Arbor has come to know so well through the many excellent performances he has given here, wants it thoroughly understood that' he is from the North of Ireland. "I'm not just one of those Dublin actors," he says with emphasis, "I'm an Orangeman and an Ulsterman and my speech is as different from Dub- lin speech as Michigan talk is from Alabama accents." This being settled to Kane's com- plete satisfaction, the star of St. John Ervine's "Boyd's Shop" which opens next Wednesday at the Men-, delssohn Theatre, settled down to a discussion of 'the summer season which he will spend in Ann Arbor as a Guest Director of the Michigan Repertory Players. Kane will direct the Player's presentation of John Galsworthy's "Escape" and will play the role of the church elder in it. He is enthusiastic about the play because he feels that it is built on a theme of compelling interest. "You can't escape yourself," Kane said, "end Galsworthy handles that theme which each generation has to redis- cover for itself in a masterly fashion." Discusses Galsworthy. Concerning the author, who was a friend of Kane's, the actor said "John Galsworthy was a great and noble man, and he understood his business in the theatre. He cast all his own plays and he supervised their pro- ductions." Kane played in the pre- mieres of several Galsworthy plays in London before he came to this country. lIe originated the role of O'Cleary in "Justice", and played pro- minent parts in "Strife" and "The Pigeon" which he considers the high-, est peak of his career. Kane is also proud of the manu- script collection he has of Galsworthy plays including that of "The Pigeon." He does not know what it would bring but believes it to be very valuable by now. Praises Studeo Actors "I played in 'Escape' in both Lon- don and New York," Kane stated, "and consider myself fortunate to be able to appear in it again in Ann Arbor in addition to doing the direc- tion of the show." When asked about the student actors who comprise a large part of the casts of the Reper- tory Players, Kane replied that many showed professional promise and that a few were already artists of some attainment. He said it was al- ways a joy for him to work with them because of their ability to work hard while retaining their verve and enthusiasm. Kane's most recent appearances here include participation in "The Winter's Tale" two weeks ago, his memorable characterization of the Stage Manager in "Our Town" with the Repertory Players last summer, and his characterization of Canon Matt Lavelle in "The White Steed" last spring. This summer, though he will appear in but one play he will be available to all drama stu- dents for conferences over the entire eight-week period. C u Farce To Open 12th Summer Season July 26 Wyckoff Returns To Group As Art Director; Windt And Itkin Will Direct , (Continued from Page 1) ford Goldsmith, would be the fourth summer production. "Escape," an adventure drama by the well-known novelist and play- wright, John Galsworthy, will open July 31, Professor Halstead declared. A special feature of this play, he re- vealed, will be the appearance in it of Whitford Kane. Kane has played in ithe premieres of two Galsworthy plays. Concluding the season will be the seldom-performed work of Gilbert and Sullivan, "Patience." The oper- etta Professor Halstead characterized as a "satire on the aesthetic move- ment and Oscar Wilde." It will open August 7. The University School of Music and the University Symphony Orchestra will cooperate in the production of the final dra- matic production. Students In Company The acting company and technical staff of the Players are made up of the more experienced students en- rolled in Play Production classes, former students who wish further theatrical training and visiting ac- tors and directors from the pro- fessional theatre. Managing director for the summer will be Prof. Valentine B. Windt, of the speech depaa'tment. He has served as director for the Drama season this year. Kane will be guest director for the fourth successive season. His professional appearances as an ac- tor this year include parts in "The White Steed" and "The Man Who Killed Lincoln," as well as an out- standing part in "The Winter's Tale" in the Drama Season here. Directorial Staff Listed David Itkin, associate director of the Goodman Theater of Chicago will make his first Ann Arbor ap- pearance as guest director. He is especially well known for his work, in the production of psychological drama. Completing the directorial staff will be Mrs. Claribel Baird, of the faculty at Oklahoma College for Women and a member of the Players for several years. Professor Windt will direct "The Star Wagon," "Two on an Island," and "Patience," while Itkin will di- rect "Beyond the Horizon." Pro- fessor Halstead will direct "The Cri- tic," and "What a Life" will be di- rected by Mrs. Baird. Alexander Wyckoff will return to the Players after a year's absence as art director, assisted by Robert Mellencamp. Evelyn Cohen, who costumed "Il Seraglio," will also be associated with the staff. Summer Season's Mail Subscriptions Now Being Filled Mail orders for tickets to the Sum- mer Repertory season are being ac- cepted now at the Lydia Mendels- sohn Theatre in the Michigan League. The box office will be open June 19 for over-the-counter sales. The prices for season tickets range from $2.50 to $3.25 and $3.75, while single tickets for the first six plays may be purchased for 75, 50 and 35 cents. Single tickets for "Patience" will be priced at $1, 75 and 50 cents. Players Mark Twelfth Year This Summer From a group of four students and two faculty workers to the players comprising specially trained gradu- ate students and tehatrical experts -.that is the history of the develop- inent of the Michigan Repertory Players in the 12 years of its exist- ence. The Players were formed when Dean Edward Kraus decided to change the Dramatic Season, which was presented during the Summer Session, to a spring function and asked Play Production to provide a summer drama bill. The student group, under the direction of Prof. Valentine P. Windt of the speech de- partment agreed to put on one play a week. With only four students to help him, Professor Windt, aided by Ches- ter Wallace of the drama depart- ment of Carnegie Institute of Tech- nology, planned all properties, took care of the box office and con- trolled stage management, This meant that a minimum of costumes and properties had to be utilized, but the season was asuccess nevertheless. The name of the group was diffi- cult to decide, since there were sev- eral dramatic groups associated with the University then active. Mimes and Comedy Club were producing at the time. Instruction for students interested in dramatic work as well as distin- guished entertainment for the com- munity summer students and their guests was the goal of the Reper- tory Players as they were at last called. In its third year, Thomas Wood Stevens, often called the "dean of university theatres" joined the group and was a member for several years, Alexander Wyckoff, scene designer, joined at the same time and is now serving as art director after an ab- sence of one year, Many well-known directors have worked with the Players, includingl Jean Mercici, director of the opera house at Strausberg, and Lennox Robinson, director of the Abbey The- atre, who were here one season each. When Stevens was unable to come back, it was decided to have as guest directors actors who could stay over from the Drama Season. Among those who have served in that capac- ity are Frank Compton, Oswood Mar- shall and Whitford Kane, who will be spending his fourth successive summer here this year. Itkini To Direct Players Here StaffI Addition Has Had Varied Experience A background of theatrical experi- ence both in the United States and in Europe make David Itkin an es- pecially outstanding addition to the directorial staff of the Michigan Re- iertory Players for this summer. Itkin was associated as an actor in Russia with the famous Moscow Art Theatre from 1915 to 1927. He was a disciple of K.S. Stanislavsky, the noted Russian director and actor, who has been credited with found- ing the modern concept of acting. Itkin won critical acclaim for his portrayals wherever he went. In 1927, Itkin toured the leading theatrical cities of Europe and the next year came to America with the Habima Theatre, Jewish players group. He played leads in such plays as "The Dybuk" and "Golem." His first chance as a director came to direct "Golem" for the Goodman Players in Chicago. Itkin's first direction was so suc- cessful that he was hired as associate director immediately after, in 1930, and has become particularly noted for his handling of psychological dra- ma. Although he has directed plays ranging from native American dra- mas like "Our Town" to translations of the obscure and little known po- etic dramas of Pushkin, his favorite playwright is Eugene O'Neill, whose "Beyond the Horizon" he will direct as the third play of the summer season. England, America, past and pres- ent, interiors and exteriors-these are some of the settings required byj the seven plays of the RepertoryI season. For all the plays, Alexander Wyckoff and Robert Mellencamp, art director and assistant, will have to design 40 sets. "The Critic," opening play of the season, calls for five sets in all, which comprise 18th Century back- drops of the Elizabethan theatre, since the play itself is written about theatrical people of the period. For the "Star Wagon" will be need- ed realistic sets (as contrasted with backdrops), mostly of modern Ameri- ca, although some of the seven set- tings will have to be of America in 1903. Realistic sets of a NewhEngland farm will be the total of the scenery for "Beyond the Horizon," as the former Pulitzer prize winner calls for only four sets. The play taken from this year's Broadway season, "Two On An Is- land," presents the' largest single scenery problem among the plays, re- quiring 12 sets in all. The play is a. series of scenes all around New York and shows a cross section_ of city life + as it affects newcomers. Sets of taxis, a sight-seeing omnibus and the in- terior of the Statue of Liberty are among those that will have to be but for Elmer Rice's play. Second largest number of sets will have to be built for "Escape," since Galsworthy's play occurs around an English country side, and will require a series of interior and exterior set- tings. Simplest of the designing tasks will be for "What A Life," as the play takes place in Central High School, only, and all that is needed is the atmosphere of a high school of and American city. The scene designers' task will be made more simple too by Gilbert and Sullivan's "Patience" which is laid in England, 1890, and has only one stage setting. Seventh Musical Planned "Patience," the Gilbert and Sulli- van operetta which will close this this year's Summer Season of the Repertory Players, is the seventh musical to be presented by thengroup, All others have also been Gilbert and Sullivan, except "The Chocolate Sol- dier" and "Vagabond King " Lawii Mowers 11vr you tied the New Silent Yarman ,th keep your lawn trim aped as neat as the finest of golf greens. A value at 15.95. Schlenker Hardware Co. "Since 1886" 213-214 W. Liberty Ph. 2-3256 Repertory Theatre's Scenery Is Varied, Shifting Problem MICHIGAN REPERTORY PLAYERS Department of Speech - University of Michigan TWELFTH SUMMER SEASON June 26 to August 13 * THE CRITIC ..... Richard Brinsley Sheridan 0 THE STAR WAGON . Maxwell Anderson * BEYOND THE HORIZON . . . Eugen O'Neill ® TWO ON AN ISLAND . Elmer Rice WHAT A LIFE Clifford Goldsmith * ESCAPE John Galsworthy 0 PATIENCE ..Gilbert and Sullivan Single Admission except "Patience: 75c, 50c, 35c Season. Tickets: $3.75, $3.25, $2.50 Box Office opens June 19 Mail orders now. I I Cleaning 1032 Green St. Ph. 8115 S& r r' I4 and 1..imake four ONE SUIT, ONE TWO-PIECE DRESS 1M I TE, omatch there, and there you have it. Add a bhouseoL t'u, a pair of slacks, and just look at the pos-I sibilities! S'ITS of spun rayon and linen . . . from 7.95. Two-piece dresses of chambray, spun rayon and seersucker . . . from 5.95. Slaks . . . front 2.95. New cotton blouses . . . 2.95. J I I ii l Now Greene's Offer Standard CLEANINGy IN"V LKY ILL Not to be confused with our DELUXE MICROCLEANING J --Must be requested - Plain Dresses Suits Untrimmed Coats Program The Critic, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan The Star Wagon, by Maxwell An- derson Beyond the Horizon, by Eugene O'Neill Two on an Island, by Elmer Rice What a Life, by Clifford Goldsmith Escape, by John Galsworthy Patience, by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan Topcoats White) (except Cash and Carry...c. or...Cash on Delivery i Felt ats 0*0.39c - - -1 -1 I n 77777 fl CROQUIGNOLE END CURLS t I G reene 'S i i