Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-10-28


Melville novel which enjoyed at
least artistic success on Broad
way In the 1861 season. It
Jared less than happily at the
box once. despite the fact that
Il generally was adjudged one
Of the best plays Of its year.
1t is likely to prove more
popular during its two weeks
on the campus here for 1t is q
rousing show as staged by the
c. u players under the direction
Of Joseph +. Lewis. Mr.. Lewis
and his acting company. 1t is
true have not managed to hide
the fact that there Is more
long-winded debate and soul
wrestling than dramatic action
in Billy Budd." But they nave
charged q great deal Of II with
genuine excitement.
49,
BILLY Budd." in case 1t
hasn't previously crossed your
path, concerns itself with a
problem in morality and the
law faced by the captain OF
Inns Indomitable. a British
warship out chasing the French
In August, 1898. What he must
decide is the fate Of a Young
seaman who has dealt a fatal
blow to q superior ofiicer who
had Il coming to him.
The blow is justifiable. the
killing unintentional. At the
same time 1t win not do to con- |
done. or even seem to condone. |
the betting about Of superior |
officers. This sort Of thing |
could set q precedent and the
British navy's forecastles seem |
at that time TO have been full |
Of prospective mutineers Just |
awaiting q precedent.
What BILLY Budd" ultimately |
has to say Is that circumstances |
do not either alter cases. Man
makes laws and man must live |
by his laws. The dramatic ef-
feet Of all Of this has been
somewhat vitiated by the pass
ing Of years. Of course. The |
theme is not so timely now rs
1t must have been when Mel
vile was young. Navies still
take q dim view Of the help
pushing the brass around. but
Billy Budd would hardly be
strung from a yardarm today
for the deed that did him in
back in 1898.
Even so the debate wakes
quite dramatic as the Indomit-
able's Capt. We're argues at Billy
Budd's court martial that the
Admiralty regulations are para
mount and must not be tenn
pered with mercy. In its final
act. Billy Budd" becomes q
tragedy weighted with inexor-
ability.
The Cox-Chapman play is
more painstaking than tragic as
1t builds toward its inevitable
climax. 1t almost dawdles here
and there as 1t sets the mood |
Of the Indomitable's crew. in (
PRODUCES the vicious master-at-
arms and brings on Billy, q
cheerful lad who wants to like
everybody. including the william.
The conflict between these
latter two-a one-Sided affair,
since Billy refuses to bear
malice-is examined in detail. /
almost too much detail. This 4
does. however. achieve newt
ability for the climactic erup-
ton Of Billy's self defense.
The flavor Of life aboard an
old sailing vessel Of the Royal
Navy is captured along the way. I
too. and there Is a fair amount
Of salty. seagoing humor.
The title role in the Catholic
University production is played |
by Richard Krishner, who
seems to be virtually an ideal .
choice. He looks the part and 4
he plays the cheerful. likable.
ingenious Billy with perception. !
Nicholas Bedessem's portrait .
Of Capt. We're is another first 4
rate contribution to the Lewis I
directed Billy Budd." He is
solidly authentic in early brief .
appearances and rises to
heights of eloquence in the
concluding act. It is dramatic I
bout as Capt. We're wrestles
with his conscience. pitting his I
fondness for Billy against his .
certainty that law is law. and
Mr.. Bedessem makes the most
Of 1t.
There are a number Of others I
in the all-male cast-among
them Christopher Kotschnig.
Lawrence Luckinbill. John
rz-.,.... v.,,s-.. YNso,,.., n.,1 r.,