Idaho State Journal from Pocatello, Idaho • Page 19

FRIDAY; NOVEMBER is. 'tfoho Journal Sfciion Page 3 Puppets Perform the People's Roles In ISU's Portmanteau Theatre By ROBERT OGG ISU News Bureau "She's a leading contender for the part of Lady Macbeth- she needs a little work, but I think she'll get the role." Statements similar to the one above are apt to be heard quite often now from Donald Asboe, director of the Idaho State University Portmanteau Theatre. And if the listener closed his eyes and didn't look at the paint ed puppet Asboe refers to, he would have the distinct Impression the director was talking about a very human actress aspiring to play the famous Shakespearean role. Pondering possibilities, Asboe will cast an eye on a puppet and Is likely to say something like this: "This fellow here- he's had a lot of good roles-and he just probably -will be Macbeth." For all their limp doll quality when not on the boards the puppets used by the ISU Portmanteau Theatre come vividly alive in a variety of roles when manipulated by student puppeteers. As Asboe, an ISU assistant professor of speech and drama, begins drilling his student puppeteers year's performances he r'adiates'anenthusiasm which Infuses them and will help them bring to life the performances of the puppets, from Lady Macbeth 1 to lesser dramatic figures.

The puppeteers present three types of show: that involving stringed 'marionettes such as Lady-. Itlacbeth; that involving so-callecl hand or fist puppets, and that involving the delicate Chinese shadow puppets. The Portmanteau. is so. called' because.

1 the puppets and props packed in suitcases, The. new season begins soon. At: a recent puppeteer Thomas' Leslie Puree, a senior psychology major from Po'catello who manipulates the fist puppets, had this to say about one of the routines he developed: 'Gunga Din' is one I foaled around with and everybody start- ed cracking up so Asboe said It's Puree, who is student body rice president atlSU, said, always been interested in puppets and 1 like little kids." Chil- iren make up one of the most consistent audiences for some of the puppet shows, although high school drama classes will be most likely to see "Macbeth" and "Faust," two of the productions scheduled this year. At the recent rehearsal the student puppeteers went through Puree's version of "GungaDin" and also a translation of a Jap. anese play.

They performed with the fist puppets in the Parasol Playhouse--so named because the scene of action is covered by a parasol with abright, green curtain draped all around it to conceal the puppeteers. The actual stage, where only the puppets can be seen, is set off by an orange curtain in the background. Student enthusiasm runs high. "I'm in Mr. Asboe's oral interpretation class and he asked if I would help with the puppets and I've enjoyed it-- it's a riot," says Margaret Bush, a freshman in general studies from Malad.

David Eric Jensen, afreshman drama major from Montpelier, said, "I'd been briefed on it and when Mr. Asboe asked if I'd like to take part, I jumped at "It's a lot of fun," said Danny Lee McBride, a sophomore English-education major from Idaho Falls who feels being a voice for the puppets will help him later in teaching English. In regard to his role as apup- peteer, James Garry Zaph of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, a sooliomore special education major, said, "I want to beonthe debate team and I thought I'd take all the speech courses I could. I love getting up in front of people and just yappin'." Jonn A. cashmere, a senior physical education major from Portsmouth, said, "I'm a special education minor and I feel puppetry, will help me in helping mentally retarded children." Other puppeteers scheduled to take part in productions this year are: Ruth Merrill, a freshman in general studies from Boise; Patricia C.

Peck, a freshman in general studies from Pocatello; J. Clair Wixom, a senior recreation major from Blackfoot; Ann Ilayward, a junior elementary education major from Pocatello; William F. Funk, a junior journalism major from Pocatello; VaLynn Elg, a freshman in general studies from Burley; Emily Anne Hargraves, a junior in speech pathology from Malad; Ray Dean Ogle, a junior elementary education major from Pocatello; and Mrs. Ethelelta Corri- gan, a graduate student from Pocatello. Of the Portmanteau Theatre productions, Asboe said, "it takes as much work to put one of these on as a regular play." Even though the sets are small they have to be detailed and fit the script.

"Ingenuity-wise, it requires a lot," Asboe added. Constantly prompting, Asboe, at the recent rehearsal, yelled once, "Hey, Danny, keep practicing." He got this reply: "Okay, Okay-- I dream about it at night now." The ISU Portmanteau.Theatre will be performing all vear. nl- though some of the puppeteers will change with the coming of the second semester. Some ofthestudentpuppeteers are in Asboe's oral interpretation class. He notes that some read without much expression until they begin work with the puppets.

"There is a subtle change," he says. PUPPETEERS PREPARE PLAYS--Peering through one of the miniature sets.used in the puppet presentations of the Idaho State University' Portmanteau Theatre are five ISU student puppeteers. Director Donald Asboe is at left. Inside the set (left to right) are Danny Lee MeBride, Idaho Falls; Patricia Sunday TV Log Peck, Pocatello; Margaret Bush, Malad; VaLynn Elg, Biirley, and J. Clair Wixom, Blackfoot.

The Portmanteau Theatre is so called because all puppets and props are carried In suitcases. The 1968-69 season begins shortly. 6:00 a.m. 4-Farm Report Rex Waller en 6:30 a.m. 2--Science In Agriculture 7jOp a.nij 3-- Tom and Jerry Faith for Today 5- Cathedral of Tomorrow Religion a-- Discovery a-Sacred Heart Religion 3-Aquaman science i i cartoon 4, a--Beatles New time slot a.m, 2- From the Cathedral Religion 0:00 a.m.

2-- Dlblo Answers 4- Linus cartoons 3, 5-Lamp Unto My Foot Cathedral of Tomorrow-Kc- llglon 0:30 J.m. 2-This Is Answer Biblical archcoloBTy 4- Klnif Konc Children a.m. 2- Eternal Ulghl Religion 3. 5- Camera Three: Gravestone Carvings 4, 0- Dullwihklo' 9i30 a.m, 2-Notre Darno vs, Ga, Tecli. Taped 3- Time for Meditation 1--Discovery '68; I-'Inland 5-- Paul Harvoy a- King Kong Children's a.m* 3, S- Tabernacle Choir Music 10:00 a.m.

3- Face the Nation 8-- College Football Highlights Weekend Games; Oregon St. vs. USC 5-- To Be Announced 10:15 a.m. 5-- Football Hudspeth 10:45 a.m. 3, 5- NFL Pre-Gamc Show a.m.

2, 0-Meet the Press Mayor of Jerusalem 4- Directions Religion 5- Footba.U HudspcUi 11:15 u.m, 3 5 pr'o football -Dallas at Wash, I i 3 0 a.m. 2, 8- Pro Football San Diego vs. Buffalo i-- Issues and Answers 12 Noon Medically Speaking 12:30 p.m. 4- Open door to Learning Discussion 1:00 p.m. 4-- Seven Seas Travel 1:30 p.m.

4-- Champ Bowline 2:00 p.m. Blob," Steve McQueen (1950) p.m. 3 ro Football Minn, vs, Detroit 2:30 p.m. 2, 8- Pro Football Jots vs. Raiders 3i30 p.m.

4-- "The 4D Robert Lansing, Lee Meriwether (1959) p.m. 0- Heidi with Michael Redgrave, MaximUHan Schell, Jean Simmons 3, 5-- 1-assle 4-- Land of Giants with Gary Con way 5:30 p.m. 3, 5-Gentle Den will) Dennis Weaver 6:00 p.m. 3, 5- Ed Sullivan Variety 4- FBI Crime Drama 7-- Intern. Magazine p.m.

7-- Intern. Magazine 7:00 p.m. 2-Bonanza-1 'Sound of Drums" 3, 5- Smothers Bros, with Donovan, Dion and Jennifer Warren 4 8- "Sons of Katie John Wayne, Dean Martin (1965) p.m. 7- NET Journal "Appalachla" 0:00 p.m. 2-- "Beach Parly," Dorothy Ma- lonc, Morey Amsterdam (19G3) 3, 5- Mission Impossible with Barbara Bain and Martin Landau 8:30 p.m.

7- NET Festival 9:00 p.m. 3- Felony Squad CrlmeDrama with Howard Duff ft- Gunsmoke Western 9:30 p.m. 3-- That Girl Comedy 4-- News 7- NET Playhouse 9- Bonanza Western 9:50 p.m. River," Montgomery Cliff, Lee Remlck (1960) lOlOO p.m. 2, 3.

5- News fl-News, Weather, Sports 10:20 p.m. 2-- Joe Pyne with Author Jim Bryan Was a 8-- News 10:10 p.m. a-- News, Sports, Weather 10:50 p.m. fr- News, Weather 11:00 p.m. 5- "Dark at Top of Stairs," Robert Preston (I960) 11:05 p.m.

8- Judd Drama 11:40 p.m. 4-- News 12:05 p.m. 8-- Viewpoint LET US HELP WITH HOUSECLEANING THE THRIFTY WAY! WANT TO GET AWAY DEER Mont. (AP) The state prison in Deer Lodge recently became the first institution in state history to have an organized library. More than 2,000 books were sftntlottie prison the state library In Helena, PARAMOUNf Pickup Delivery (IF YOU WISH) JMW.Cloik 532-5517' Pole line 233-3702 i.