School of Theater takes 'The Hostage'

The School of Theater will present its first main-stage production of the year, Brendan Behan's classic Irish play "The Hostage," at 8 p.m. today through Saturday and Oct. 21 through 24 at the Forum Theater in the RTV Building.

"The Hostage" is set in 1950s Ireland and revolves around the IRA kidnapping of a young British solider that was used as a ploy to get British troops to release an IRA member before his execution. The young soldier is held in a brothel, where he meets a misfit group of people and falls in love with a resident of the house.

"The play itself is extraordinarily theatrical and has a lot of unconventional breaking of the fourth wall, like talking directly to the audience and singing out to the audience in a music hall fashion," said Dennis Delaney, head of the professional directing program and director of "The Hostage."

The integration of music into this play is one of the many things that make it unique, with more than 20 songs incorporated as well as a pianist and Celtic fiddler as members of the cast.

"The play has music, it has comedy, it has drama and it has a very strong political statement. It is one of those plays that has a little bit of everything, but the thing I love most about this play is its tremendous amount of heart," Delaney said.

Though the play was written by Behan over half a century ago and set in a time of prejudice and religious turmoil between England and Ireland, the major themes of the play can still resonate with audiences and students today.

"(The themes) are relatable to audiences now more than ever," Delaney said. "The idea of secular violence, religion as a controversial wedge between people who are really not that different from each other and the waste of human life for political and religious causes never stop."

Admission is free for Ohio University students, $7 for seniors and non-OHIO students, and $10 for general admission. Tickets are available by calling 740-593-4800 or visiting the College of Fine Arts ticket office in Kantner Hall.