By SARAH BROACH

Staff Writer

"A Man For All Seasons" opened the University Theatre's season Oct. 27 with elaborate costumes, lighting and performances.

The play, written by playwright Robert Bolt, tells the story of Sir Thomas More and the quest of King Henry VIII to divorce his wife in the 1500s.

Dr. Kenneth Robbins, director of the play and director of the School of Performing Arts, said the ideas of "A Man For All Seasons" are of extraordinary importance.

"The play is literature; it is history; it is social documentary with a politically charged agenda that mirrors contemporary politics," Robbins said.

"It is a treatise on theology and the relationship of a man to his God, [and] it is an examination of the meaning of heroic action."

Paul Pharris, a graduate student of theatre, helps with lighting for the show.

"It's hard," he said. "I got to learn with a professional designer, but you have to learn as you go. That and [you get] no sleep," Pharris said.

The lighting projected distinctive and mellow images onto the background, giving the setting a more realistic touch.

"We use a regular lighting instrument with pictures cut in it," Pharris said.

"It creates large, beautiful images projected as pictures behind [the actors]."

James Lanius, a freshman speech major, plays The Common Man, who is a character in the play and a narrator to the audience.

Lanius' performance provided natural comic relief in the midst of the serious subject matter.

Bianca Laurendine, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, was in the audience and said she enjoyed the show.

"I think it's interesting how they have The Common Man come in and introduce things and make jokes," Laurendine said.

Timothy Makin, a senior speech major, as Sir Thomas More and Reece Roark, a junior theatre major, as the Duke of Norfolk, both shine in the strong cast.

"A Man For All Seasons" provides enough laughs to keep the audience lively, but it does not take lightly the religious and moral themes it attempts to get across.

Robbins said he expects performances to improve as the show's run continues.

"I was pleased with how well the students performed before their first audience," Robbins said. Ê

"They will continue to strive for the very best possible performance, the goal being perfection."

"A Man For All Seasons" will run 7:30 p.m. tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at the Stone Theatre in Howard Auditorium, Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets are $4 for students with a valid Tech ID, $8 for adults and $7 for children.

For more information, call the Howard Box Office at 257-3942.