Courtesy of Anneliese Horowitz
The Hofstra drama department kicked off their 71st annual Shakespeare Festival with the main stage production of “Troilus and Cressida,” an adaptation of Homer’s Greek classic, “The Iliad.” The Shakespearean drama opened last Friday night at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse at 8:00 p.m.
Troilus and Cressida took the audience through a whirlwind of emotions and had them at the edge of their seats over who would win: the Greeks, or the Trojans? The direction of the play was sought out by Royston Coppenger, chair of the drama department. The original Shakespearean-era play would take place in the 20th century; the Greeks stepped into the 1960s Vietnam War era, while the Trojans were placed in a 1950s lounge in Las Vegas, Nevada. Between the army uniforms, barracks, perfectly curled hair, sparkly dresses and grand piano, the two eras were very distinct and enhanced each character’s underlying traits.
The play starts after Queen Helen, portrayed by Anna Rudegeair, a BFA performance major, is captured by the King of Troy’s son, Paris, portrayed by Jonathon Grimes, a BA drama major. The war is raging and both sides don’t want to give in due to their pride. Aside from the main plot of the upcoming battles, there is an emotional love story told between Troilus, played by Troy Sorensen, a drama major, and Cressida, played by Rachel Kinzler, a BFA performance major. Their love has to be a secret, for Troilus’ family believes he cannot fight in battle because his strong love for Cressida overpowers him. The match was made by the eccentric Pandarus, Cressida’s uncle, played by David Rivas, a drama major.
The seemingly effortless connection between Sorensen and Kinzler filled the onstage love with passion and deceit. The audience grows to fall in love with their story and is shocked when it comes to an abrupt end when Cressida is traded to the Greeks. Fueled by love and hatred for Cressida, Troilus vows to destroy every man on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the countries are still trying to put a stop to the war with a duel between Ajax, a Greek general played by Charlie Keefe, a drama major, and Hector the Great, the eldest son of the King of Troy, played by Earl Rice Jr., a BFA performance major. This duel leads to the final battle between the two rivals that ends in a bloody tragedy. Troilus is left without his lover and a brother, but tries to keep his pride during his last soliloquy to end the show. The soliloquy was delivered with a tone of intense defeat, and Sorensen’s acting left the audience stunned with amazement.
A warning is in order, however, as this show depicts themes of heavy violence, torture, warfare, sexual assault and contains flashing lights and loud noises. The show’s themes were properly executed by Coppenger and the licensed stage combat director, Robert Westley. Together, the cast was able to put on an emotionally disturbing play that depicts all of those themes with grace.
