By: Zak Rosen '16
On Sunday, December 7th, the Severn Theatre department arranged to take a group of students to the Synetic Theatre in Virginia to see their version of Beauty and the Beast. The show was very good, but far from what many of the students who signed up were expecting.
The purpose of the show was not to reenact the fairytale that everyone was familiar with, complete with an obsessive compulsive clock and a candle stick with a French accent (why he is the only character in the movie with a French accent is still a point of inquiry, but I digress).
The purpose of the show was not to reenact the fairytale that everyone was familiar with, complete with an obsessive compulsive clock and a candle stick with a French accent (why he is the only character in the movie with a French accent is still a point of inquiry, but I digress).
The director (Ben Cunis) meant to provide a darker, more real story that, while still appropriate for families, was more geared towards an adult interpretation of the play.
The Witch, Emeranne, narrates the story of her life and her death. She loved the prince and he loved her, but when confronted by his family, he claimed she bewitched him. She was burned at the stake, but in death she transformed into a vengeful spirit, cursing the prince into a Beast and tormenting him for eternity.
From then on, the story continues fairly normally.
The father is caught by the Beast (in this story, he is released with the command to send Belle back or he would die), and Belle takes his place in the castle. The two are first wary of each other but over time they begin to develop a friendship and a deep love for each other, with Emeranne trying to destroy their relationship as it progresses.
In the end, the Beast is transformed (after being killed by a rival for Belle’s affections) and the two dance together, both human.
The Witch, Emeranne, narrates the story of her life and her death. She loved the prince and he loved her, but when confronted by his family, he claimed she bewitched him. She was burned at the stake, but in death she transformed into a vengeful spirit, cursing the prince into a Beast and tormenting him for eternity.
From then on, the story continues fairly normally.
The father is caught by the Beast (in this story, he is released with the command to send Belle back or he would die), and Belle takes his place in the castle. The two are first wary of each other but over time they begin to develop a friendship and a deep love for each other, with Emeranne trying to destroy their relationship as it progresses.
In the end, the Beast is transformed (after being killed by a rival for Belle’s affections) and the two dance together, both human.
Not only was the story interesting, more obviously a tale of redemption and less of a simple fairy tale, but it was also technically very interesting to watch.
The costumes were much grayer, drearier, in line with the story, and the fight scenes (Beast/Wolves and Beast/Townspeople) were all very interestingly choreographed, often appearing to be in slow motion.
The actor who played the Beast (Vato Tsikurishvili) was obviously very skilled, and it showed. Throughout the play, the way he moved always appeared distinctly animalistic (he was often on all fours), and he jumped around and retained great control of his body despite what was probably a cumbersome costume.
The costumes were much grayer, drearier, in line with the story, and the fight scenes (Beast/Wolves and Beast/Townspeople) were all very interestingly choreographed, often appearing to be in slow motion.
The actor who played the Beast (Vato Tsikurishvili) was obviously very skilled, and it showed. Throughout the play, the way he moved always appeared distinctly animalistic (he was often on all fours), and he jumped around and retained great control of his body despite what was probably a cumbersome costume.
Overall, the performance was great. The director, Ben Cunis, will, in fact, be coming to Severn as the fight choreographer for the Spring play, which will be very interesting. I cannot wait for the next performance that the Theatre department decides to take students to. It has a lot to live up to.
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