'Accomplice' promises to surprise audience

The words "Sex-farce, mystery, comedy, thriller" have been plastered across campus. Finally we'll see what they mean. The performing arts group Quadramics is accurate in its choice of words to describe its fall production of Rupert Holmes' Accomplice. Director and Wharton senior Jesse Hertzberg cautions, however, "Nothing is what it seems." Heed this warning and still expect to be baffled by a seemingly infinite series of plot twists. This caricature of a comedy thriller opens in a high society British couple's cottage of in the mid-1970s. The murder plots begin immediately, but who is actually doing the plotting remains a mystery until the astonishing explosion at the end of the first act. When Janet Taylor, played by College junior Andrea Kemp, attempts numerous times to assassinate her husband by poisoning his drink to gain control of his fortune, she encounters several obstacles. While her strategy is consistent, her motives are constantly changing and the plot continues to thicken. The surprises in the script are accompanied by the use of outrageous special effects. It becomes increasingly uncertain whether the fire extinguisher on-hand will be needed to put out the racy heat between the actors or to use in case of a technical mishap. With a great deal of effort, the stage crew marvelously converted Houston Hall auditorium into what appears like a Broadway-style show house. Hertzberg proposed the Accomplice script to the Quadramics board last spring and has been eagerly awaiting the reception of his efforts. After six weeks of rehearsals the entirely student-run Quadramics is now ready to present its 20th anniversary fall drama. The show will be run November 11-13 and 18-20 at 8 p.m. in the Houston Hall auditorium. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the Annenberg Box Office and on Locust Walk.