An old lantern illuminates a jungle of rusty bars while whistlers circulate throughout the theater. A spiral staircase leads to the sandy ground. This may seem like a mystical place, but it exists in none other than Northwestern’s own Barber Theater.
Christine Dunford, a Lookingglass Theatre Company ensemble member who is pursuing her Ph.D. in Performance Studies here at NU, is staging a new adaptation of Jan Potocki’s 18th century novel “The Manuscript Found in Saragossa.”
“The play involves gymnastics, circus silks, aerialist like Cirque du Soleil, aerobatics — visual metaphors,” says Marcus Stephens, the show’s scenic designer and an NU graduate student. “It is something that this university doesn’t get to see very often.”
Agility is key here as actors slide down circus silks dangling from the ceiling and balance on poles and wooden boards. Some even perform flips and climb all over the mystical set. To master such acrobatics, the actors were required to train at the gym for months.
“This show is not a spectacle of stunts; the stunts help to tell the story,” says Allie Adair, a Communication senior and ensemble cast member. “We’ve established such a respect in the process that I trust (my fellow cast members) completely. I have to stand on poles that are balanced on two actors shoulders, I do flips and I do a lot of climbing. “
“The Manuscript Found in Saragossa” follows the travels of commissioned guard, Alphonse van Worden, through Spain. On his way to accept a military commission, Alphonse encounters people from all walks of life: thieves, gypsies, inquisitors and princesses. These characters share their adventures with Alphonse, reenacting the events on stage as flashbacks.
“Alphonse is thrown into a confusing world and trying to find his way to where he can be accepted,” says Andrew Perez, the Communication senior who plays Alphonse. “It’s a tough journey.”
Through his encounters and adventures, Alphonse learns about the importance of sharing experience. He writes the memoirs of his adventures and the story is narrated as a flashback through his writings.
“I’ve really learned about listening in this play,” Perez says. “There’s a whirlwind of things and new ideas going around him. The audience is experiencing this through Alphonse, so I have to always be there.”
But Dunford was attracted to more than the fantastical qualities of the piece.
“I read the book 10 years ago and fell in love with the questions and ideas as well as the experience of it, how it felt,” Dunford says. “One of the themes in the book is that everyone is searching to make sense of life, searching for truths that include them. Some people look to power, money, religion or science.”
“Manuscript” presents a religious exploration and critique by incorporating characters of all different faiths including Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
Dunford’s adaptation modernizes the 18th century novel. She uses the themes present throughout the work to question events and ideology in contemporary society.
“In the media, we are demonizing people who are Muslim and Islam,” Dunford says. “There’s an ongoing conversation about Judaism, Christianity, Islam and power. He looks at the good and bad in people. No one is a complete hero or villain. Thieves can be noble and honorable characters can be deceitful.”
“The Manuscript in Saragossa” is playing at the Ethel M. Barber Theater Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for the general public, $22 for seniors and NU faculty and staff and $10 for students and are available online at ticketweb.com or by calling 847-491-7282.
Music sophomore Rebecca Huval is a PLAY writer. She can be reached at [email protected].
