Havel's ‘The Memorandum’ skewers bureaucracy
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Theatre will present the theatrical performance of The Memorandum, an absurdist comedy that is as current today as when it satirized the bureaucracy of the Soviet Bloc.
Under the direction of UW-Green Bay Prof. John Mariano, the play will be performed at 7:30 p.m., April 22-24, 28-30, and May 1, in the Jean Weidner Theatre of the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, 2420 Nicolet Drive.
The Memorandum is set in the office of the ‘Agency,’ whose employees greatest concern is preserving their jobs. Managing director Andrew Gross (Derek James Knabenbauer) suddenly discovers his authority being undermined by his deputy Max Balas (Derek Sklenar).
And how is it happening? By Balas’ secretly introducing an official artificial language named Ptydepe that will be used for all office communication in the hopes of improving efficiency. But, it’s a nonsensical language, and as the satire unfolds the audience will find itself struck by the foolishness of the boss, the duplicity of his assistant and the gullibility of many of their co-workers.
Vaclav Havel wrote The Memorandum when Czechoslovakia was part of the Soviet Bloc, but experiencing a period of relative freedom. It clearly demonstrates his disdain for bureaucracies — be they political or economic.
Not long after this play was written, the Soviet Union cracked down on all dissent and performance of this play forbidden. Havel spent four years in prison for his political dissent, released only because his health was failing.
After the Soviet Union collapsed, Havel was elected president of the newly free Czechoslovakia. When that nation peacefully divided, he served as the president of the Czech Republic.
In his notes about The Memorandum, Prof. Mariano observes that even after the fall of the Soviet Union, Havel’s warnings about the dangers of ideology and ideologues still resonate.
The Memorandum features a cast of 14 students and is supported by a student crew. It will be presented in two acts, with a 12-minute intermission.
The UW-Green Bay production will feature scenic design by Jeff Entwistle, costume, hair and make-up by Kaoime Malloy, light and sound direction by R. Michael Ingraham.
Tickets can be purchased through University Ticket at (920) 465-2217 or 1-800-328-8587, or online at www.uwgb.edu/tickets. Tickets at the door are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.
CAST:
Derek James Knabenbauer – Andrew Gross
Derek Sklenar – Max Balas
Matthew Harris – Kubs
Leah Younk – Shelly
Jade Landry – Ken Masat
Alyssa Falvey – Tallie
Ross Christian – Syd Kunc
Ray Anna Young – Alice
Joshua Weishaar – JV Brown
Dustin James – Josh
Lindsay Cummings – Uma Kalous
Katie Sawyer – Clerk 1
Sam Godkin – Clerk 2
Tom Wolf – Clerk 3
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