June 6, 2009
A good production of Doctor Faustus, though unusually for a student production I thought the direction superior to the acting. Set design was imaginatively metallic, the mesh panels allowing for nice silhouette effects, and sound effects and music atmospheric, though the actual sound system was a bit asthmatic. Costumes, following the current trend, seemed to follow no rhyme and reason - in some cases the actors could have been wearing what they picked up as they left for the theatre.
Acting honours were taken by the chorus of vices and devils - interestingly made-up and costumed, and well choreographed and suitably malevolent. But the stand-out was Mephistopheles (Gloria Lagou) who had a good grasp of the verse-speaking technique. She appeared a compelling combination of the sinister and the attractive.
Unhappily, though, the exchanges between Mephistopheles and Faustus, for me the heart of the drama, never had much life. Faustus could have been a little more dynamic; however, his was a very large and a difficult part, and in no way did his performance spoil a very enjoyable evening.
Acting honours were taken by the chorus of vices and devils - interestingly made-up and costumed, and well choreographed and suitably malevolent. But the stand-out was Mephistopheles (Gloria Lagou) who had a good grasp of the verse-speaking technique. She appeared a compelling combination of the sinister and the attractive.
Unhappily, though, the exchanges between Mephistopheles and Faustus, for me the heart of the drama, never had much life. Faustus could have been a little more dynamic; however, his was a very large and a difficult part, and in no way did his performance spoil a very enjoyable evening.