Collegiate Times

Arrangements such as a ?Boston marriage,? the 19th century?s term for a household run by women with no support, have given traditional society cause to raise its bushy eyebrow for the past two centuries.

David Mamet celebrates this departure from societal gender norms in his aptly titled play, ?Boston Marriage,? coming to a Virginia Tech Theatre near you.

Sponsored by the Department of Theatre Arts, the play takes audiences back to Victorian times to tell the story of Anna and Claire,two genteel Boston women living together on the borders of high society. As the dynamics of their unique domestic arrangement are unveiled, Mamet uses comedy and wit to underscore more serious themes of lesbianism, feminism and the rigidity of 19th century society.

According to Gregory Justice, an associate professor in the department of theatre arts and the director of the play, ? ?Boston Marriage? represents a very different piece from David Mamet, known for writing plays for very masculine characters in contemporary settings.?

Justice said that the play could be said to have a ?deceiving depth? when compared with some of Mamet?s other works and their direct focus on serious contemporary issues.

He was unwilling to disclose information about any of the play?s performers or crew.

The depth Justice speaks of is largely conveyed by Mamet?s creative use of language to keep the attention of the audience and simultaneously eradicate the Victorian hypocrisies that define the plot. Ed Falco, a faculty member in the English department who also teaches playwriting said, ?(Mamet?s) use of dialogue and language pretty much revolutionized the contemporary theater.?

Head of the department of theatre arts, Patricia Raun characterizes ?Boston Marriage? as ?a comedy of manners in the style of Oscar Wilde.?

?It is a charming piece that is incredibly challenging for our student performers, but I believe they are up to the task,? she said.

All performances will take place in Squires Studio Theatre Sept. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24 at 2:00 p.m. and Sept. 26-29 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Squires Ticket Office located on the first floor of Squires Student Center Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or by calling (540) 231-5615. Ticket prices are $7 for students and seniors and $9 for general admission.

For more information about this or other events, call (540) 231-5200 or visit www.theatre.vt.edu