'Candida' shows life, love in Victorian times

Marshall Wade / Staff Photographer In a production of George Bernard Shaw's "Candida," Jason Todd, a senior in the School of Liberal Arts, pleads to Jennifer Fitzery, a graduate student. The play begins tonight in the Experimental Theatre and is the second mainstage production for Purdue Theatre this semester.

By Matt Holsapple
Entertainment Editor

The archetypal story of the love triangle comes to Purdue this weekend, and its one's setting is Victorian England.

Purdue Theatre will present "Candida," a play by George Bernard Shaw. Performances are at 8 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Experimental Theatre in Stewart Center. The play will also be performed at the same times Nov. 14 to19.

"Candida" is a classic love triangle story — a dependable reverend and a beguiling young poet vie for the affections of the title character.

"Love and a fair amount of comedy combine in 'Candida,'" said Dale Miller, a professor of theater and the director of "Candida." "In addition, there is a significant level of sexual tension and with a challenge to the conventional thinking of the era."

Trey Garner, a graduate student, plays Rev. Morell. Garner said that while the play required more research than most he has been in, his own religious training helped him understand his role.

"I am a Baptist. My church in Lafayette gets pretty in depth with doctrine, so I am experienced and knowledgeable about that," Garner said.

He said he has drawn largely from his own religion and experience — he will attend seminary after receiving his Masters of Fine Arts in May — to understand where his character is coming from in the play.

"You always want to want to make sure you know what you're saying and what it means to your character," said Garner.

He said that many times during rehearsal, Miller would stop him and ask him about the religious content of the lines he was saying. This made him think through all of the impact of those lines.

"In theater, a lot of folks have a lot of different beliefs. My background really helped me," Garner said.

Besides the religious content of the play, Garner said that research into the period was also necessary because "Candida" takes place in 19th century London.

"There was a lot of research into Victorian decorum — etiquette and social mores," he said.

Two of the women in the cast — graduate students Deborah Ouradnik and Jennifer Fitzery — are using their research into their characters for their masters' theses.

Because of the setting of the play, English accents are required for all of the characters. Katherine Burke, a Purdue alumna, has been has been acting as a dialect coach.

"It's a challenge to make the British dialect work. Even the slightest American sound can throw the audience out of the mood," Garner said.

While the setting makes the dialects difficult, it gave the designers a chance to create lush, elaborate sets and costumes. To this end, Miller visited Victoria Park — the area of London where "Candida" takes place —to study the environment.

"Soaking up the environment of the area was a special treat that I hope has helped articulate the 'outside world' of this play as contrasted with the 'inside world,'" Miller said.

The cast of "Candida" is composed of both undergraduate and graduate students. Besides Graner, the play will feature Ouradnik as Candida; Geoffrey Pard, a senior in the School of Liberal Arts, as Marchbanks; Fitzery as Prossy; Martin Swoverland, a senior in the School of Liberal Arts, as Burgess; Katherine Bartholomew, a junior in the School of Liberal Arts, as Maid Maria; and Jason Todd, a senior in the School of Liberal Arts, as Lexy.

"Candida" will be Purdue's entry in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival and will be included in the Region III Festival Showcase.

If You Go

What: "Candida"

When: 8 p.m. Today to Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 8 p.m. Nov. 14 to 19, 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Experimental Theatre

Tickets: $7 and $9 for Purdue students and senior citizens; $11 and $13 for the general public.

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'Candida' shows life, love in Victorian times

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