Middlemarch Ball makes "heroic" return

Middlemarch returned after a year's absence last Friday, albeit in a new and different form than past balls. Last year's cancellation, due to unsafe conditions at perennial Middlemarch location O'Connell House, prompted this year's organizers to choose a secret location for the Superheroes and Supervillains themed event, The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts.

The location of Middlemarch was kept a secret until the start of the event, even from Middlemarch volunteers, who in past years helped decorate O'Connell House for the ball.

Grace Simmons, an O'Connell House manager and A&S '05, said that the managers chose Cyclorama because of "its urban chic, Boston flare, and ability to bring the Superheroes and Supervillains theme to life." Cyclorama is a large, circular hall with an unfinished, industrial look. A stage with DJs was erected in the center of the hall, and an area to the side was blocked off for a bar.

The night began at Conte Forum, where bus-loading took place from 8 to 8:30 p.m. The well-guarded secret of Middlemarch's location did not discourage students from making predictions.

"I thought it might be at a club, a hotel, Edmond's lounge, whatever. It could have been anywhere," said Grace Chon, LSOE '04. "I feel like it would have been better at O'Connell House, but I'm glad I'm here."

"Considering everything Middlemarch has been in the past, I'm impressed with what they've done," said Mike Ciamchette, A&S '06, who dressed as Magneto for the event. "It's a blast. I'm glad I got tickets, and I hope to get them the next two years."

Simmons said that there were a number of disciplinary issues at Middlemarch. "We did have problems throughout the evening and were very disappointed with some students' behavior," she said. "The ODSD Staff and O'Connell House managers did a great job of keeping this activity behind the scenes, making it possible for those who weren't causing problems to have a good evening."

Regardless of disciplinary problems, Simmons felt the evening was a hit. "From what I heard, students loved the venue and were very pleased with the event," she said. "People were enthusiastic about seeing friends in costume and the idea of not knowing the location kept the suspense high. I was very impressed by the creativity. The costumes were out of sight. BC students rarely have the chance to be artistic, and Middlemarch is the ultimate outlet."

Simmons said that the future of Middlemarch lies in the hands of BC students. "Of course the O'Connell House Managers would love to see Middlemarch continue in the future, but a great deal will depend on the ongoing issue of student behavior," she said.

Middlemarch is one of BC's foremost traditions. For 30 years, the O'Connell House managers have put on the ball, which has gained national recognition as one of the best of its kind. Past Middlemarch themes have included Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the Titanic, and Robin Hood. The theme for last year's cancelled Middlemarch was The World of Disney.