A Shakespearian Performance by Faust
This year, the Faust International Youth Theatre visited SISHK and performed an unforgettable show to both the S1 and S2 cohorts. Below are two students’ reflections on their experiences as audience members of the show.
I thoroughly enjoyed this performance because it retold Shakespeare’s plays in a comical and lighthearted manner, but without glossing over both the tragedies and the dramas. The set was minimalistic and this was a simple way to perform. Not only were there just three performers, but the props were both easy to find and fitted alongside the plays which were performed perfectly. It was also presented in a very interactive way, breaking down the fourth wall quite often and encouraging audience participation, creating an ideal balance of participation and viewing. Despite being primarily educational, it still incorporated moments of humour and wit. The actors were also extremely energetic, passionate and lively, yet in a way that doesn’t seem mocking or fabricated. Throughout the performance, I learned the plot of Shakespeare’s most acclaimed plays as well as the conflicts and recurring themes found in them. The performance has helped to shed some light and cleared up the myth that Shakespeare’s works are complicated and that only scholars and geniuses can understand it. Overall, this was a most enjoyable performance.
by Cai Qi Melody (S1L)
‘All the World’s a Stage’ was a comedic retelling of Shakespeare’s classic tales. The cast was very energetic and the performance engaged the audience. They managed to be creative and entertaining with only three cast members. Without a boring moment, the performance kept the audience interested and laughing at just the right moments. It was exciting, entertaining, educational and easy to understand for everyone. The audience was well-behaved, respectful and enthusiastic during the performance.
The cast was incredibly talented and funny. The cast started off the show with some audience participation, requiring the audience to throw balls with an ingredient written on it into some ‘cauldrons’, referencing the famous scene in Macbeth in which the three witches gather around a cauldron, brewing a potion. The cast also managed to re-enact Romeo and Juliet in under five minutes and reimagined A Midsummer’s Night Dream using more modern celebrities, such as Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. For The Taming of The Shrew, they enlisted the help of some of the audience members to help Petruchio woo the witty Katherine. Next, some of the audience played the part as lawyers in court, either defending Shylock or opposing Shylock. It was a fun and light experience for our cohort to learn about the greatest playwright and the plot of his plays in a modern, relatable context.
From this experience, I learned about some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays: Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Taming of The Shrew, The Merchant of Venice and more! For instance, did you know that Macbeth is often said to be cursed? Therefore, actors often avoid saying the play’s name in a theatre and instead use ‘The Scottish Play’. We learnt that when someone says the play’s name, they have to spin around three times or perform some other ritual!
by Xiao Cai Grace (S2R)
