The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 35

www.pantagraph.com Horseman' lives up to challenge Charlie's angels hold off Sandler's devils to remain No. 1 BY MARTY SEIGEL For The Pantagraph Illinois State University's highly ambitious production of "Death and the King's Horseman" enables us to catch a glimpse of Nigerian culture as seen through the eyes of an American academic culture. The challenge is multifaceted. Nigeria is'a feast for those interested in multi-culturalism. Dominated by Muslims and Christians, Africa's most populous country is also home to more than 250 different ethnic groups.

A British colony until the 1960's, oil-rich Nigeria suffered from political unrest throughout the 20th century. Playwright Wole Soyin-ka, son of an Anglican canon and the first African to win the Nobel Prize, is a political figure as well as an artist. Soyinka was arrested twice and imprisoned during the late 1970s for his political activities. The insular atmosphere of modern American academia is a far cry from the Nigerian village of 1947 depicted on the Westhoff stage. "Death and the King's Horseman" is based on an actual incident, seen through the eyes of the playwright, then through the glass of college teachers and students.

The production has been mounted with extreme care and a genuine sense of discovery; we the gamut of vocal and physical variety in an entirely foreign style. Although I could sometimes not catch a crucial word or phrase in the the speeches, the actors always brought dignity and an understanding to their roles. The style is a formal, presentational one which enhances the significance of the material but it also limits the actors' range of vocal choices. Phillip Burgess as the doomed Elesin Oba was especially exciting to watch in his first "Death" monologue; he stretches to amazing vocal and physical limits and also plays directly to the audience. Drummer (Ebenie Kunle Adeniy i) and the chorus of women in the marketplace (led by Cesili Williams as Iyaloja) provide a solid musical foundation for the rich language.

The muted earth tones of the scenery and the vivid reds, oranges, and blues of the native costumes created a warm environment that reflected the tone of the whole production. Fluid choreography also adds to the continuous visual spectacle. "Death and the King's Horseman" plays for about two and a half hours without intermission. The opening night audience, which consisted primarily of undergraduate students, were thoroughly attentive for the entire play. The production is a fine educational theater experience.

Play: "Death and the King's Horsemen" by Wole Soyinka Venue: ISU's Westhoff Theater. Date and times: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14-18. Cost: General, $12; students and seniors, $6.

Creative team: director, Kim Pereira; scene designer, Joseph J. Rial; lighting designer, Michael Comp-ton; costume designer, Gregory Duckett; sound de-sign, Aaron Paolucci believe there is a source for every detail presented on stage. At opening we see a serene village with little suggestion of discord. Indeed, if left alone, the native people would peacefully yes, peacefully watch one of their own kill himself in answer to the call of the gods. It is the white British interference in native culture that causes the trouble.

"Death and the King's Horseman" reminded me of the 1999 Heartland Theater production of West Indian playwright Derek Walcott's Both plays combine storytelling, native mythology, philosophy, music and theatrical showmanship in telling the human story of British occupation. Like Walcott, Soyinka has placed incredible demands on the actors by writing long poetic monologues that demand LOS ANGELES (AP) The angels banished the demons at the box office. "Charlie's Angels" took in $25 million to remain the top movie for the second straight weekend, leaving Adam Sandler's satanic comedy "Little Nicky" with a second-place debut, according to studio estimates Sunday. "Little Nicky" grossed $18.1 million, so-so numbers considering Sandler's last two comedies, "The Waterboy" and "Big Daddy," opened with about $40 million each. "Men of Honor," based on the true story of the Navy's first black master diver, opened at No.

3 with $14 million. The movie stars Cuba Gooding Jr. as diver Carl Brashear and Robert De Niro as a racist instructor. De Niro's comedy "Meet the Parents" held strongly in fourth with $10.6 million. "Red Planet," starring Val Kilmer and Carrie-Anne Moss on a mission to Mars, premiered at No.

5 with $9 million. Michael Douglas' "Wonder Boys," a well-reviewed movie that bombed early this year, reopened in limited release with $83,000 in 15 theaters, averag ing $5,533 a theater. That was about $900 more than the movie averaged when it opened in fairly wide release last February. A dark comedy about a novelist whose artistic and personal lives are unraveling, "Wonder Boys" is getting a second chance by distributor Paramount, which hopes to boost the film's Oscar buzz. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co.

Inc. Final figures are to be released Monday. 1. "Charlie's Angels," $25 million. 2.

"Little Nicky," $18.1 million. 3. "Men of Honor," $14 million. 4. "Meet the Parents," $10.6 million.

5. "Red Planet," $9 million. 6. "The Legend of Bagger Vance," $6.6 million. 7.

"Remember the Titans," $5.5 million. 8. "Pay It Forward," $3.1 million. 9. "Billy Elliot," $2.8 million.

10. "Bedazzled," $2.5 million. Literary writer Maso returning to ISU for reading Literary writer Carole Maso, a former Illinois State University teacher, will give a reading at 8 p.m. Thursday at ISU's Founder's Suite in the Bone Student Center, with a reception following. Her reading will include selections from her latest book, "The Room Lit by Roses, A Journal of Pregnancy and Birth." The reading is spon sored by ISU's English department, "The Spoon River Poetry Review" and the Unit for Contemporary Literature.

Books will be available at the reading and they can be ordered at 20 percent off from babbittsbooks.com. Maso began her teaching career at IWU under the guidance of Lucia Getsi, who is a professor of English at ISU. Three of Maso's novels were published by Dalkey Archive Press, based in Normal. A recent issue of the "Review of Contemporary Fiction," out of ISU, featured Maso. She wrote affectionately of her time in Illinois in the essay "Surrender" from her recent collection of essays "Break Every Rule, Essays on Language, Longing Moments of Desire." Bridge Running times for local movies Movie title Hours and minutes Movie title Hours and minutes partner back on lead with a heart to score a second ruff for two down.

As you've probably guessed, Fishbein won the title. He invented a defense against three-level pre-emptive openings. A double was for penalties, and the next suit up was equivalent to a takeout double. Eventually, though, Harry realized takeout doubles were better. Some wag, on hearing the news, unkindly suggested that "the Fishbein had stuck in his throat." is still famous for two defensive brilliancies.

You will see the other tomorrow. The deal occurred during the 1942 Masters Individual. After South opened and closed the auction with four spades, West led the diamond queen. Seeing the main risk, declarer cleverly played low from the dummy. However, Fishbein overtook with his ace and returned the club eight.

After receiving one club ruff, Fishbein put his Legend of Bagger Vance 2 hrs. 7 min. Little Nicky 1 hr. 30 min. Little Vampire 1 hr.

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