By Allison Daze, sophomore
Members of Acts of Faith, Friends University’s drama ministry team, will don costumes and implement British accents this weekend to present “The Great Divorce,” a play based on the book by C.S. Lewis.
The play opens at 7:30 tonight in the Cornerstone Theatre. There are also performances at 7:30 Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday.
The Cornerstone Theater, in the Riney Fine Arts Center, seats only 82 people. This creates an intimate theater experience, said Kurt Priebe, director of Acts of Faith.
Acts of Faith is only the fourth group to produce this particular play, said Priebe.
The play premiered off Broadway in 2007 and has only been performed by three other groups. Friends will be the first undergraduate college to produce it.
The play “is a story of the divorce of heaven and hell,” said Andy Denton, a freshman playing the part of C.S. Lewis.
It begins with Lewis (Denton) joining a group of ghosts traveling by bus from “the grey town,” which represents hell, to a wide-open field with mountains in the distance, which represent heaven.
After the ghosts arrive in the field, they find that their surroundings are uncomfortable and hard. Even the grass beneath their feet is painful to walk on. At this point, they must decide if they wish to continue traveling to the mountains or return to the grey town.
In addition to the ghosts from the grey town, there are also many spirits from the mountains who come to encourage the ghosts to make the journey.
The play follows fairly closely to the book.
“If you’ve read the book, you will definitely feel familiar with what’s going on,” Denton said.
There are 41 characters in the play, but only 11 cast members. Consequently, most members will play two to three roles. Denton as C.S. Lewis is the only cast member filling just one role but his character is central to the play and speaks the most lines, Priebe said.
”He is first and foremost a narrator and observer,” Denton said, describing his character. “He often steps aside and explains what’s going on in full detail.”
For Denton, working on this project has been a new, exciting and sometimes challenging experience.
He has enjoyed working with the other cast members as well as getting into the story.
He pointed out that the topic of heaven and hell is not necessarily an easy subject for many people.
“The story is somewhat dark,” he said. “There are a lot of big thoughts to deal with.”
Denton’s advice to those in the audience: “Come with an open mind.”
Ticket are $8 for adults, and $5 for seniors and students. All Friends University students receive one complementary ticket. Tickets can be purchased through the Friends University Fine Arts box office or at the door, if available.