Word: hypatia
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Marriage, of course, plays a large part in this scheme. The marriage plans of Hypatia (played by the elegant yet hyperactive Stephanie Roth), daughter of the rich underwear manufacturer Tarleton (Jeremy Geidt), become the main battleground on which she and her family struggle to define what marriage, freedom and a woman's role should...
...Hypatia is engaged to Bentley "Bunny" Summerhays (Derek Smith), an upper-class fop who describes himself as "all brains, and no more body than is absolutely necessary." Derek Smith's humorous characterization of Bunny as a peevish, bespectacled cream-puff bears out this description. But, as Hypatia confides to her mother (Bronia Stefan Wheeler), she doesn't love him, and can't see how anyone could; she simply can't find anyone better. Besides, she adds, marrying for love is too risky. Mrs. Tarleton comments that finding a likable husband was easier for her because she grew up poor...
...Hypatia Tarleton, played by Stephanie Roth, isless impressive, at least at the start of theplay. Both her irritation and her good humor seemforced and rehearsed. Furthermore, she becomesstiff and wax-faced when she does not have to playa part in the conversation. When she is on centerstage, however, she is captivating. Her lustfulpursuit of any man who refuses to worship her andher total disregard for conventional morality makeher especially convincing as the "hard, crude,dirty minded" Hypatia...
...social commentary and symbolism is notlikely to linger for long in your mind, however.It's the little touches which are far morememorable, such as the incongruously macho red bowtie of Hypatia's snivelling fiance, Bentley, andthe palpable hesitation of Johnny, Hypatia'sboring brother, before he daringly smashes a dishin frustration. The caperings of variouscharacters on, around and over the swing whichadorns the stage are among the most entertainingmoments of the play...
...acrobat Lina Szczepanowska (Patricia Elliott), Shaw's totally liberated New Woman. The third unexpected guest comes wielding a revolver. Gunner (Anthony Heald) proves to be Tarleton's illegitimate son, bent on revenge. This gives Shaw a chance to play the dialectical game of cat-and-mouse. Inevitably, Hypatia gets the aviator to chase her till she catches him. "Papa, buy the brute for me," she purrs to Tarleton. Papa does...