The Finale

When we read Othello last year, the class was more focused on text analysis and so I didn't really consider the fact that Shakespeare's plays were written to be performed. However, in this Shakespeare course, I was able to integrate the performance aspect into my understanding of Shakespeare. This was highlighted by our trip to see the production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Pearl Theatre. This production far exceeded my expectations, but also revealed to me why the play was a romantic comedy. Reading and analyzing the book did not quite show me the “comedy” genre it is associated with, despite the scenes with the Rude Mechanicals. However, the live production of the play showed me why it truly was a romantic comedy. Perhaps, it was the director’s witty and modern interpretations of certain scenes, but the actors and actresses were simply hilarious. The sudden shifts from drama to comedy were strengthened by the music and the lighting on stage. From an optimistic setting, the stage sudden changes to a darker color and music, one that immediately momentarily stops the audience’s hearts and keeps them in suspense.

The opening scene was very confusing, one that I still do not quite understand. Only knowing that it was supposed to be a scene of the capture of Hippolyta, I was puzzled at the actors and actresses’ changing of characters. However, as the play progressed, it became quite clear who played which character. It was quite interesting to see that the costumes worn on stage were athletic track gears with glow-in-the-dark stripes; it was essential and fitting, however, given the amount of passionate energy the characters displayed. What truly made me awe at creativity was the director’s interpretation of the character Snug the joiner. Literally interpreting the word “joiner,” the director had an actor and actress join their heads together and act as one. I truly thought that the characters the actors and actresses played best were the Rude Mechanicals. Jason O’Connell, who played Nick Bottom, made every action and movement display his character’s desire to control everyone’s part. The controversial relationship between Peter Quince and Nick Bottom was shown to be one of harmonious love. The director showed Quince and Bottom hugging after every command Bottom made to his fellow comrades. Later on in the scene when the Rude Mechanicals performed their play of Pyramus and Thisbe, we see that the criticisms said by the Athenian nobles were heard by the Rude Mechanicals. When Moonshine was criticized, the actress said her lines with a sudden stopping and proceeded to sob. However, the play quickly escalates to one of laugher as the crevice of the wall originally shown in the play as a V sign, was now hilariously the pelvis area. Although this was my first experience of watching a live Shakespeare production, I dare to say that no other productions, be it movies or videos, have made me laugh as hard as this production at the Pearl Theatre Company. 

This performance aspect was further integrated with our Hamlet paper and our own live production. While the Hamlet paper allowed us to think of how we want to have our production conducted, the final performance allowed me to act and see it live with my own eyes. Fortunately enough, I was in the Hamlet group for the final performance and was able to put my idea of the "to be or not to be" soliloquy on a live stage. Preparing for the final performance ourselves and working with my peers was a valuable experience as I came to understand and see Shakespeare's works in different angles from the various interpretations of the text.