What I liked
The punk interpretation was spot on. I had never read the play before, but I can imagine what it’s like when lacking a modern-day interpretation. Faustus’s two side-kicks, with their purple and pink hair and thick British accents made the audience laugh so much. The timing of the cast’s one-liners, like “OH FUCK!” for example, was on point. The wardrobe was hilarious and pleasing to the eye.
What I didn't like
There were a few scenes that fell flat. Like when two of the characters act as narrators, I felt it could have been jazzed up a bit more to feel more aligned with the rest of the play. There is where I had a hard time following. But overall, I’d recommend the play, and see it again.
My overall impression
As a person who regularly struggles with following the unrhymed iambic pentameter of William Shakespeare’s writing, I was exceptionally capable of understanding what was going on in this performance of Doctor Faustus. The punky take on the play had me cackling in my seat throughout the night. Stellar acting, especially for Faustus, the girl who played Helen (what a star), and Mephistopheles. The cast’s choices were strong, especially in the moments where they threw in their own modern one-liners. Good timing, great engagement with the audience at the right moments. Overall, a real joy to witness.
