Theatre on stage

I have been watching several movies which depicts the real theatre during the earlier years. Among them are Phantom of the Opera, Shakespeare in Love and Moulin Rouge. Some of the movies are musical, yet I believe that these movies were able to present the real picture of what happened behind the scene and even what happens on stage, during the performance of the play. Besides that, the real settings, the production, the props being used, the lighting arrangements, the curtain falls and how the actors and actresses present themselves on stage, has given me a better understanding of drama, plays and theatre. The whole play, it really was a lot of hard work, from preparing the props, to managing the casts, and finally presenting the play. Theatre is very important and is part of the culture of the people of Rome, France, and England. The involvement of the audience during a particular play will indicate the success of the production. There are not much of these classical theatres being presented these days, and if there is any of such in Malaysia, I would not miss the chance to go and watch one!

Twist of the Myth?

After reading Ovid's Metamorphoses, finally I had a better view of Shaw's Pygmalion. Before starting to read the play, I expected Pygmalion to be one of the character's names, as Antigone in Antigone (and obviously I got that wrong). I love the way Shaw presented his very own version of Pygmalion as "A Romance in Five Acts". Basically both the myth and Shaw's Pygmalion presents the creation of a woman as what a man desires. Higgins is the 'creator' of Eliza as Pygmalion is to Galatea. What is different of the two is that both has different endings. Shaw had given a different way of presenting his own Pygmalion. In the myth, Pygmalion shows his love and how devoted he was to the sculpture he created and when it was brought to life, he married his creation. In Shaw's Pygmalion, Higgins did not show any affection towards Eliza, and their relationship was between a teacher and a student, with less personal feelings involved and this play can be considered as less romantic, as compared to the myth.

The Tragic Hero

Finally, we've completed reading the whole play as a class. I found out that Antigone is fun-reading and interesting (regardless of the fact that many characters died in this play ;p).I like the way in which Antigone is presented (as a strong character) for it gives me an impression that one should stand for what he or she believes in. The play itself has made me think of the values being presented through out the play. I believe that there isn't any other bond, stronger than a family-bond. Husbands and wives may quarrel and divorce, but a daughter cannot 'divorce' her brother, or mother or father (literally). In class today, we were discussing about the theme of the play, when Nazmier wrote 'Love is sacrifice' on the board. I do think that this is what the play reflects from the very beginning till the end of the play. Love is about sacrifice, and that is what Antigone presents through out the play.