The lion sleeps in winter
Emily Hoferer
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Newswire Official Rating:
Erika Breese
The royals have a pow-wow.
Every word packed a punch in the Xavier Player’s production of “The Lion in Winter” this past weekend. A small cast of seven actors took on this hefty script by James Golden and transformed their small stage into a palace filled with cold blooded betrayal.
Sophomore Stuart McNiell played King Henry II, the egotistical, but aging king of England. His wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, played deliciously by senior Briana Hansen, has been imprisioned by Henry for plotting against him, but is released to spend the holidays with him and their sons.
Eleanor takes full advantage of this small window of opportunity, toying with the affections of her sons and convincing them to turn against their father, and even against each other, in order to gain power. It is clear as the play progresses that Eleanor wants her freedom and is willing to manipulate anyone to get it.
There is little brotherly love between Henry and Eleanor’s three sons Richard (played by junior Daniel Campbell), John (played by freshman Josh Bowling), and Geoffrey (played by junior Jeff Meinert). Instead, they spend most of the play insulting one another and stabbing each other in the back.
The family is not alone this holiday season either. Alais, played by senior Stephanie Renny, who was raised with the family, is now King Henry’s mistress. At times she seems very weak and flightly, but in other scenes she is the character with the most sense. Her brother, King Philip of France, is visiting the family as well. The audience soon learns how closely Philip and his sister are involved with this family, which increases the tension.
There is little action in “The Lion in Winter.” Instead, the characters
fight with words and harsh looks. This family is divided by the power that comes
with the monarchy. At the end of the play so much has changed within the characters
that the audience is left with the sense that history is forever altered. And
if any of them know their European history well, they would know that it, in
fact, was.
The set and costumes of the play were spectacular. I was incredibly impressed with how director Cheryl Couch utilized the studio space. I really did feel like I was watching scenes that could take place in a castle.
The acting was good in some aspects and not so good in others. Briana Hansen, Michael Jonagon and Stuart McNiell all gave so much depth to their characters that I felt like I was rooting for them. Stephanie Renny is a superb actress, and she did a terrific job as Alais, but I would like to see her take on something meatier. I felt that the performances from the three sons were dry at points. I did not sympathize with or hate any of them, they just seemed to be there. To me, that’s not how it should be since the sons are the main subject of the play.
Despite my small qualms with the performances, the show was intriguing and enjoyable.
Hip-hop guru at XU
Brandy Williams
Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor
www.pbs.org
Xavier’s Black Student Association is set to host Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, the renowned professor, social analyst, minister, radio host and New York Times best-selling author on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in Cintas Center.
Dyson will speak on BSA’s theme this year “If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?: The State of Our Generation.” He will be addressing the controversial issues surrounding the hip-hop culture and its affect on our generation.
“We wanted a speaker who would mentally stimulate every mind in the room,” said Shaudae Jones, administrative vice president of the Black Student Association. “Dr. Dyson is a hip-hop intellectual who understands the state of our generation. He is able to speak to us and not at us.”
BSA has put a lot of effort into getting such a renowned speaker on campus. The organization raised $17,500 for the honorarium through fundraising that they began in September and has spent countless hours coordinating the event.
Dyson is best known for his commentary on American culture, particularly as it pertains to African Americans. He is a leading scholar on the hip-hop music genre and the culture that surrounds it as well as its roots and influence on African and African American culture.
“BSA wants Xavier students and the Cincinnati community to understand the importance of cultural knowledge, awareness of political issues and the importance of becoming proactive leaders in our community,” said Jones.
Dyson’s qualifications include a Ph.D. in religion from Princeton University, and hosting the Michael Eric Dyson Show talk radio program on the Syndicated One Radio Network.
Dyson is the author of 14 books including “Know What I Mean?,” “Come Hell or High Water,” “Is Bill Cosby Right?” and “Debating Race.” He has been named as one of the most influential black Americans by Ebony Magazine and is a professor at Georgetown University, where he teaches theology, English and African-American studies.
The event is free to Xavier students and the Cincinnati community in order to attract a large audience and to build a stronger relationship between Xavier and greater Cincinnati. The organization is accepting donations for the event, which will all be given to a local homeless shelter.
Stephanie Metz
Arts & Entertainment Editors
Late Night Snack
The GSC Late Night Snack will feature Bucca Di Beppo food at 10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov.15 in the GSC food court. In addition to the snack, there will be a pizza tasting challenge for select students. This event is free to XU students.
Streetball tournament
The Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are hosting their annual streetball tournament at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 in the O’Connor Sports Center. If interested in participating, email Sigmagamma1906@xavier.edu or Corey Burton at burtonck@xavier.edu. There will be monetary prizes. If you can’t play, just come watch! All are welcome.
Murder mystery
Come and solve the puzzle along with the Xavier Players in the first student written, directed, and performed murder mystery. The murder mystery takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16-17 in the GSC Studio Theater. Come early to get the best seat. Doors open at 7 p.m. and food and drinks are provided. Tickets: students, faculty and staff $3, general public $5.
Women appreciation event
The Men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are hosting their annual women’s appreciation event from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 in the Clocktower Lounge. All women are welcome. Food will be served, prizes given and a morning of relaxation provided. There will also be a movie.
