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Conference noted::sf

Title:Arcana Caelestia
Notice:Directory listings are in topic 2
Moderator:NETRIX::thomas
Created:Thu Dec 08 1983
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1300
Total number of notes:18728

497.0. "Horton's Conventional Behavior (play)" by DELNI::MEYER (Dave Meyer) Mon Jun 29 1987 17:29

    Science Fiction/Fantasy Con-goers in the greater Boston area might
    recognize themselves or friends in the new play, Conventional Behavior
    by Geralyn Horton at the Elizabeth Peabody House, 277 Broadway,
    Somerville.  The play is part of a 'festival' of new plays and will
    be presented on July 9, 17 and 25.  The $5 admission covers several
    plays in addition to this humerous depiction of various denizens
    of this delightfully strange zoo.  Non-con-goers are not expected
    to believe a word of it - but laugh anyway.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
497.1Opening Night SmashBOEHM::MEYERDave MeyerFri Jul 10 1987 18:1712
    	The show opened last night to a delighted audience, only a few
    of whom were known to have attended an S.F. Con. - they laughed
    at the right places in spite of that handicap.  Two known
    conventioneers reported to the playwrite that she had caught the
    spirit of the cons and could it be produced for the next *******
    next winter ?  Sure, if the proper committee folk can be approached
    and convinced.  Any NESFAns out there care to attend on the 17th
    or the 25th ?  
    	Oooops, the price is only $4, not the sum in the base note.
    The EPH is on Broadway just off Rt 28 (McGrath & O'Brien Hwy) and
    is easily reached from Rt.93 or by public transportation.  There
    is parking available.  Call 254-4482 for tickets or information.
497.2DELNI::CANTORDave C.Fri Jul 10 1987 18:335
      >Any NESFAns out there care to attend on the 17th or the 25th ? 
      
      Yes, I hope to go on the 25th.

      Dave C.
497.3Some thoughts on Conventional BehaviorPBSVAX::COOPERTopher CooperFri Jul 10 1987 19:5432
    I'm one of the "known" conventioneers mentioned by Dave in ".1"
    (coming up on my nineteenth year as an Fan).
    
    The play is indeed a lot of fun, both to non-fen, who can be amused
    at the unfamiliar characters, and to fen, who can be amused at the
    accurate (well -- perhaps a *bit* exagerated) of some *familiar*
    characters.
    
    All the characters were people I have met over and over again at
    cons.  [Perhaps I've been one or two of them? -- Nah.]  Only one
    clear misuse of fanspeak ("smof" when "sercon" was meant).
    
    By the nature of being a humor piece, it was not a particularly
    balanced presentation of a con.  Every character used was someone
    I would identify as a neo-fan.  Some of the characters considered
    themselves old-con-hands, but then, many neos do.
    
    This is perhaps an accurate picture of how a large con appears these
    days, however.  With the huge influx of neo-fen over the last few
    years, its a bit hard to see past the gawky teenagers and the neos
    who are convinced that their hall costumes identify them as trufen.
    And of course, under those conditions, neos stay neos longer, resulting
    in a viscious cycle.  [What I've been doing, by the way, is "smoffing",
    as the term is generally used in fandom except by NESFA.  Smoffing does
    not make me a smof, however -- Ghod forefend]
    
    All nits aside, I highly recommend the play.  It is a great deal
    of fun.  The first play of the evening (I'm blanking on the name,
    its the name of the imaginary bar it takes place in) was pleasant,
    and not a waste of time, though nowhere near as good as CB.
    
    					Topher
497.4Last ChanceBOEHM::MEYERDave MeyerWed Jul 22 1987 18:093
    	Last showing of this show is coming up this Saturday.  The
    videotape (semi-private showing at "B" in Feb) will only be a pale
    reflection of what the live audience will experience.
497.5Late reviewDDIF::CANTORThe answer is -- a daily double.Fri May 12 1989 23:236
Almost two years late, but better late than never.

I did go to see the play.  It was great.  I recognized several
character types.  I rate it at three propellers.

Dave C.