"The Birds" contemporized, performed at Yulman
Rebecca Bardach
Issue date: 5/31/07 Section: News
|
"The Birds is a play with severe comedic political commentary that, given a little modern tweaking, can be adapted to fit any time period. Given that it can be altered to be modernized, it is also a play that while making such a great political and social statement, can be fun and fancy free," said Victor Cardinali, '08, who plays The Sassy Brassy Sandpiper.
Union's version of "The Birds" based on the original play by Aristophanes, has been "made…very contemporary in its visual aesthetic, while staying somewhat true to Aristophanes," said Professor William Finlay, Director of the play and Chair of the Theatre and Dance Department.
According to Temple University's Department of Greek and Roman Classic website, "'[The] Birds' tells the story of two Athenians seeking to escape from the chaos and corruption of Athens, rife with corrupt politicians, choked law courts and a long bitter war. After finding Tereus, the mythical king who was transformed into a bird, they form a pact with the birds to build Cloudcuckooland where the comic hero, Makedo, rules. In a hilarious parody of civic life, a parade of bureaucrats, religious figures, and urban planners are rudely dispatched by the newly self crowned king. Makedo even brings the gods to their knees by arranging for the birds to intercept all sacrifices directed by mortals to the Olympians."
Finlay says he chose the play because he believes it is "one of the greatest comedies ever written. It's about politics and how sometimes we are forced to do things we really don't like to because of the people in power."
As to how they have modernized the play, "instead of Greek gods and goddesses, we have implanted names of people in politics and pop culture as well as modern songs," said Mary Roberts '09, who plays the roles of the Nightingale and Messenger.
In addition, the costumes, created by Lloyd Waiwaiole, are part of the extravagance, in that there are multiple costume changes for many characters.
"The costume budget is the largest any show at Union has ever had. The majority of the cast wears six-inch heels and copious amounts of feathers…like the Ancient Greeks, we're working with immaculate headpieces, which force us to use our entire bodies to express emotions and reactions," said Roberts.
Be the first to comment on this story