Courtesy of our new mountain FRENDS (yes, it's misspelled intentionally), Ken and I saw Ashe County Little Theatre's production of The Last Meeting of the Knights of the White Magnolias last night. It was an interesting show, to say the least.The show follows a fraternity of "good ole boys," which meets in a local hotel. The Knights of the White Magnolia, a sheetless KKK group, has long since lost sight of concerns with patriotism and racial purity, and has become an excuse for these "good ole boys" to share a game of dominoes and liquor refreshments. Having dwindled in membership, the lodge has found a new recruit from a neighboring town, and his appearance allows a resurrection of their ancient "mystic" initiation rite, an event which, for all its intentional seriousness, becomes one of the funniest scenes.
The set was wonderful and the actors appeared to be very talented - except for one thing. I couldn't understand a word they spoke! This had nothing to do with mountain/country accents or being inaudible. Enunciation was the culprit. There seemed to be a poignant ending - unfortunately I missed the entire dialogue!
I am surprised that Ashe County Little Theatre produced this piece. I am not personally offended by cursing or using the Lord's name in vain, unless it's gratuitous. And I did feel as though some of the language was written for shock value only. Others also had some concerns with the language. Two letters were written to the editor of the Jefferson Post.Still, I do have to hand it to Ashe County for finding the 9 men required for the show. KLT has trouble getting 4 men to show up for auditions!
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