Word: cressida
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...ought to tick off every one of the two dozen or so in the cast, but must content myself with mentioning the Stage Manager of Mark J. Mirsky '61 (who therein displayed enormous progress in acting, an impression confirmed by his expertly elocuted Thersites in the recent Troilus and Cressida), the Mrs. Gibbs of De French, the Mrs. Webb of Dixie Dewitt, the Emily of Barbara Blanchard '60, and the George of Philip D. Harvey '62. This was definitely the finest HDC show since Death of a Salesman in 1956, and the finest show by any Harvard group since Deathwatch...
Although "Troilus and Cressida" presents formidable acting problems, it provokes an interesting use of the stage. Stephen Aaron, director, has employed the apron stage with the audience ranged around three sides; and he has designed a performance that is becoming to the play and platform. Todd Lee's setting consists of levels, shapes and areas that culminate in a round peak against a glowing cyclorama; and Walter Benson's lighting plot is superb, indicating the range and richness of the electrical equipment. No doubt it will be years before the staff learns to use the full potential...
...Shakespearean canon, "Troilus and Cressida" comes after "Hamlet" and the powerful tragedies and at a time of the moody, enigmatic comedies that are unresolved and express a general distaste for life. There was a time when pedants were convinced that Shakespeare had suffered a nervous breakdown. Romanticists are sure that the Dark Lady of the Sonnets had betrayed him more wantonly than usual, and that, like Jimmy Durante, he was in a mowing mood...
Today we have to admit that we don't know what happened. But obviously Shakespeare lacked his familiar energy when he wrote "Troilus and Cressida." It is a long, wordy play without much plot, invention or scope. As a portrait of Shakespeare's mind at one period, it is provocative. As drama, it is dull. That is why it is seldom performed...
...sure the parents of Maria Livanos are happy that their daughter has none of the sluttish qualities of Cressida--a sensual, unprincipled creature of the stews, no finer than the Westminster whores who were neighbors of the Globe Theatre. And the parents of Diana Echlin should be gratified that although her Helen is beautiful she is not going to destroy the United Nations with personal wantonness. Most of the actors in this depraved drama look like upright citizens who are not going to betray Troy, Greece or the United States...