'Accomplice' keeps audience on its toes

The final death toll on the stage of the Houston Hall auditorium last night rivaled that of a Shakespearian tragedy. Such an occurrence may not seem incredibly outlandish in West Philadelphia, but it was quite an accomplishment for the four member cast of the Quadramics production of Rupert Holmes' Accomplice. Beginning innocently enough as a British whodunit set in the mid-1970s, Accomplice quickly deviates into a series of plot twists which leaves the audience continually misguessing what will come next. While the motives, the villains and the victims are in constant fluctuation, the consistently convincing portrayals of the characters by a talented group of actors bring this play together. A challenging script which demands numerous shifts in style and tempo was staged skillfully and showcased the versatility of the crew. Brilliant performances by College senior George Anastasiou, College junior Andrea Kemp, Engineering senior Marc Weitz and Wharton and College junior Eva Saks were complemented by a riveting story line and a lively array of special effects. As if the thrilling suspense is not sufficient to grasp one's attention, an intricately created stage set brings Houston Hall to life in the midst of this chaotic and comical flirtation with death. Director Wharton senior Jesse Hertzberg was eager and nervous to finally have a crowd of spectators view the culmination of his efforts. He chose to propose Accomplice to the Quadramics board last spring because he wanted to "let people have some fun for a couple of hours." Hertzberg was successful in his attempt to provide entertainment to the University community and the production was well received by an enthusiastic audience. Accomplice will run November 12 and 13, and the 18th through 20th.