She Stoops to Conquer
High comedy runs March 24 – April 2, brings romance to the Tower Theater
ACTING OUT — This type of play requires the cast to use actions to tell the story more than language.
Photo Credit: Michela Diddle
Liberty University’s Theater Department will be ending this school year’s performances with the 1900s comedy “She Stoops to Conquer.”
“She Stoops to Conquer” is a comedy of manners that focuses on the lovely and charming Kate Hardcastle, who changes her social status to catch the eye of a wealthy bachelor she hopes to be married to.
Senior Tatiana Harman plays Kate Hardcastle who finds herself changing or “stooping” for love.
“It’s a high comedy,” Harman said.
“We’re dealing with language that is not quite as sophisticated as Shakespeare, but is a step beneath that.”
The play focuses on a tough woman, Kate, sorting out and navigating a male-driven world.
To demonstrate this, the play depends more on the actions of the actors than the language being used in the performance.
Harman mentions how this unique type of play has helped her gain more experience as an actress.
“This play has challenged me with comedy, which is something I don’t think I’m naturally good at,” Harman said.
“I think I’m prone to drama, so this has been really fun.”
Senior Caleb Towns said that the performance is one that he is proud of, and that will appeal to multiple types of audiences.
“There’s a lot of confusion and befuddlement which is really fun to play,” Towns said.
“One of the fun things about this play is the neat blend of intellectual comedy with broad comedy as well. The audience will feel intelligent by getting the jokes that we say. They’ll feel witty because we’re not spelling it out for them.”
Tyler Crocker plays Constance Neville in the show, and said that the show presented challenges to her as an actress.
“This was written in the 1700s,” Neville said.
“The language is definitely a high language. You have to work on being clear and understanding what you’re saying so the audience grasps it too.”
Despite the small challenges the play’s language may present, Crocker said that she hopes the actions of the actors allow the audience to leave the theater feeling good.
“I hope the audience will take away simple joy from this play,” Neville said.
“Just finding the joy in little moments that we all go through with our quirky or weird families.”
Director Neal Brasher said that while the play is not one of morality, it allows the audience to reflect on the truths presented in the play.
“It’s strictly a British comedy from the late 18th that we have transposed a little bit into the 19th century,” Brasher said.
“I think audiences will see a lot of truth and humanity in this play, which is always a good thing in comedies.”
The play will run until April 2 at the Tower Theater.
Tickets can be purchased through the Tower Box Office by contacting 434-582-2085 or through the MyLU ticket portal.
Ali is a feature reporter.