sealPurdue News _____

November 7, 1997

Purdue students to perform play in Russian

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University students who are studying Russian will perform Anton Chekhov's one-act comedy, "The Anniversary Celebration," in the original Russian language at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in Room 239 of Stanley Coulter Hall.

The play will be performed by students in the Russian 241 class. Professor Edith Clowes said most of the six students involved are either majors or minors in Russian. "Almost all are interested in working in business, government or academia, where there are new and increasing opportunities for people with Russian skills," Clowes said.

She said the play was written in 1891, when Russia was beginning to industrialize its economy and permit private enterprise, much like the present post-Soviet era. It's the story of a bank president who is thwarted in his efforts to make his bank look more prestigious than it really is, during its 15th anniversary celebration. The characters in the play include an office nerd, a flirtatious wife, and a begging bureaucrat's wife.

"This is a play that -- although written in the 19th century -- reverberates in our own day," Clowes said.

She said the performance is free, but donations to the Russian Club will be accepted. Seating will be available for approximately 100 people.

CONTACT: Clowes, (765) 494-3840 or (765) 494-3828

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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