2008 Woodie Awards
Orton's 'Loot' portrays
By Robert Hartley
Rocket Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/3/06 Section: Entertainment
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The play challenged the attitudes of 1960s Britain concerning death and law enforcement. David Skeele, the director of the play, said the issues of death and law enforcement are questions that are still relevant today.
"We are dealing with those same questions right now," he said.
In a country whose congress has recently voted overwhelmingly against the renewal of certain provisions of the Patriot Act, Orton's message clearly presents its relevance to contemporary society.
"We have half the populace... saying that we have got to trust in the government," Skeele said. "The other half is saying 'wait a minute, I'm not sure that I want to give up all of my liberties and freedoms in the name of protecting myself.'"
This polarized issue is reflected in Orton's edgy writing, and could be heard in the surprised laughter of the audience at times throughout the play.
"Loot" follows the actions of two thieves, Hal and Dennis, played by Michael D'Alesio and Matthew McNeal, who, having robbed a bank, are looking for a place to stash the money in the midst of Hal's mother's funeral preparations. Nurse Fay (Deanna Brookens) wants in on the action as Inspector Truscott (Jeff Feola) abuses everyone's civil rights. The play's only law-abiding citizen, Mr. McLeavy, played by Dennis Whalen, suffers at the expense of the cheaters.
"I love the sense of anarchy about this play," Skeele said. "Conventional assumptions about things get turned on their head, and in the director's notes, I refer to every one of Joe Orton's plays as a hand grenade lobbed at some different sacred cow of culture."
Sophomore theatre major Matthew McNeal praised the hard work put in by the crew.
"We have an incredible crew. They work a lot harder than we do," McNeal said. "We're out there having fun, goofing off, making people laugh, and they're back there putting in the time and the labor, and I think that they deserve all the credit in the world for it."
Freshman exercise science major Michael D'Alesio was part of the production and said he encourages others to get involved.
"I think that anybody that ever thought about doing a little acting or being involved in stage crew should do it," he said. "It's amazing what a group of, in this case, six people can accomplish."
