On Monday, April 30th, 2001, Professor Fee's Medieval Drama class will present Mankind at 4:00 p.m. in front of Glatfelter Hall. Set against the backdrop of prohibition-era New York, Mankind follows the trials and tribulations of Joe Mankind, a young shopkeeper trying to keep on the right side of the law. Joe's attempts to maintain his innocence are challenged by the demon temptress Veronica Titivillus and her gang of foul-mouthed thieves. Kelly Kervick, who shares the role of Titivillus with Sarah Agar, warned, "When I'm good I'm good, but when I'm bad I'm better."

Members of the class adapted the script from the 15th century play by an unknown author. Two years ago Professor Fee's class presented the Wakefield Noah, for which they built the stage that Mankind will also use. "It's quite a piece of work," admitted Erin Baggett, a member of the group that altered the stage to meet the specifications of this year's play. "We added some screws and some bolts," she said. "It should stand."

"This is the finest theatical production in the history of Gettysburg College...perhaps in the history of the entire world," claimed Josh Wyatt, a member of the directing group. Many of his classmates echoed Wyatt's sentiments. "I'm really looking forward to it," declared junior Ruth Homberg, "But it is definitely for mature audiences only." As the 15th century script contained scatological humor to appeal to its audience, the translation group opted to include this element in order to keep with the intended spirit of the work, and in order to keep an audience of jaded college students awake. "A lot of potty humor," Joe Zoller replied when asked what the play is about. Professors--leave your kids at home for this one.

For those of us who can legally view R-rated movies, Mankind should prove an entertaining way to spend a Monday afternoon. Mankind contains all the elements necessary to please your average college student: dirty jokes, lewd innuendo, your friends dressed up in silly costumes, and "midget tossing" according to C. Joshua Sparrow.

Will Mankind reform? Will Veronica and her gang keep their grips on him? How much weight can a stage built by English majors hold before collapsing? You will have to show up to find out.

Visit the 2001 course website: http://www.gettysburg.edu/~cfee/courses/home.htm