Dr Faustus Performance Garners Enthusiastic Applause

Y7 and Y8 Performing Arts Wider Life club put on a fantastic adaptation of Dr Faustus under the direction of Ms Caroline Latter.

Costumes by Vivi Harle, production organisation by Zoe Weiner, stage management by Osaze Ehibor and Tech operation by Pedro Torres were considerable additions to the smooth running of the production.

Within five Mondays and weekend sessions, the performance was staged, interestingly, using a theatre in the round-style stage space. Students Santi Corral (IB Theatre student Yr 13) and Alex Latter (IGCSE student Yr 11) were co-directors, along with Mr Ehibor, who were role models to the younger students and brought significant help and ideas.

The directorial concept was based on Lucifer and the devils being clowns and jokers because they were, ultimately, fools for being tempted by life’s material things and sucked into hell. The selling of one's soul to the devil is presented as a game show, with Lucifer as the host. Lucifer is based on the mad streak of the character, the Joker. Doria Wu played this role with conviction and maturity. In support of The European Theatre Convention’s advocacy of Diversity and gender equality in theatre (as well as the fact that women can be tempted away from goodness as well as men), Faustus was made a female character. Faustus is easily tempted, avoids thoughts of damnation and is quick to enjoy something, yet even quicker to get bored of it. Olivia Blancard, Yr 8, played this role with great success and even after being very unwell leading up to the final performance.

Moreover, ALL the cast and crew worked together to create a very entertaining performance enjoyed by a full and very appreciative audience. Thank you to everyone who supported this event and gave the students this invaluable experience. The final line and overarching moral of the play is “When you have the chance to be grateful, seize it”. It is also a value that we can take away from the performance.

Caroline Latter
Head of Drama