UNIVERSITY THEATRE HAS A `FIELD' DAY WITH PLAY AT CHURCH

In the second scene of Southeast Missouri State University Theatre's current production, Alden Field delivers a soliloquy so powerful that all the air seems to be sucked out of the room.

During a pause in his monologue, you can sense people holding their breath, hanging on for the next words.

If there is a defining moment in "Murder in the Cathedral," that is it. The university players particularly Field, in the role of Archbishop Thomas Becket do great justice to the T.S. Eliot drama, which opens tonight at Old St. Vincent's Church on Main Street. The play is also presented Saturday, and again from Wednesday through Nov. 23. The play begins at 8 each night.

Put succinctly, it is an inspired play in an inspired location.

"Murder in the Cathedral" is set in the last four weeks of Becket's life. The history of England records Becket as a 12th century arch~bishop of Canterbury and a one-time close companion of King Henry II.

Once consecrated as an arch~bishop, Becket gave up his opulent lifestyle to become a reformer and champion of the people. His allegiance to the Roman Catholic church and the higher authority of Heaven put him at odds with the king, whose own power was threatened.

Eliot's play, written in 1935, covers the time in 1170 when ~Becket returns to England from a seven-year exile until he is murdered at vespers by four knights thinking they are acting in the king's interest.

Field, a student from Sikeston, plays Becket in an absorbing fashion, following Eliot's lead in making the archbishop a man of complicated thoughts. As played here, Becket understands the earthly politics that haunt him as well as he knows the divine force that drives him. Field moves the character easily through various shadings of indecision and self-assurance, world-weariness and resolve.

Ultimately, Becket lets nothing stand in the way of his own martyrdom, and Eliot leaves the question open on whether it was all necessary.

The aforementioned scene is a Christmas Day mass four days before Becket's murder. So interesting is the writing, so potent its message, so convincing its delivery, an audience member might easily forget he is watching a play and is instead listening to a very good sermon. Field gives an accom~plished performance.

Field has the support of very capable ensemble acting, and the cast works its way through some challenging material. Some of the lines are spoken in unison and could be muddied if not well-rehearsed. In particular, the six-member chorus of women, which helps supply context to the narrative, is up to its difficult task.

Not enough can be said about the employment of Old St. Vincent's Church for this production. With its ornate interior and graceful Gothic lines, it is as much a character in the play as any of the actors. Even the church bell is used at one point.

Still, the players are not overmatched by their surroundings. It is two hours of "in-your-face" theater, in a literal as well as figurative sense. Director Robert Dillon has taken advantage of this unique venue to shatter the "face-forward" paradigm of stage productions. The players surround the audience in the expansive sanctuary, and the experiment pays off in a big way.

Take note too of the music that accompanies this production. It was carefully researched and selected by technical director Dennis Seyer and ranges from Gregorian chants to traditional liturgical offerings; it provides not only background for the play but has a subtle role in its pacing.

Identifying faults of this production is an exercise in hair-splitting. Since the play encircles its audience, the way certain lines are heard depends in some measure on where you are seated. Dialogue moderately delivered from an opposite side aisle might seem overwrought if you are seated near the player delivering it. This is noticeable, though not necessarily distracting.

"Murder in the Cathedral" is a play about power and glory and is presented in like fashion by the university players. On a less spiritual level, it is as unique a theatrical experience as Cape Girardeau has seen in a while. It is a job well done.