In St. Michael’s College Troubadour’s production of Lord of the Flies, British boys stranded on an island descend into depravity, shedding their civility. This fresh adaptation of William Golding’s iconic 1954 novel did not disappoint, with memorable castings, vivid backdrops, and inventive stagecraft.
One of the most striking elements of the play was its backdrop. Set designer Athen Chloe Go created scenic jungle displays that immersed the audience in the untamed wilderness. Lighting designer Elise Corbin complemented Go’s set beautifully, using lighting to depict various times of day and the ever-present fire that blazed throughout the performance. The creative use of smoke further enhanced the illusion of a burning jungle, adding to the production’s immersive atmosphere.
The cast phenomenally brought the rambunctious and unruly personalities of the British schoolboys to life. Ethan Verderber excelled as Jack, the leader of the spear-wielding boys, who led them through unsettling rituals — such as smearing themselves with pig’s blood — and tormented those who refused to conform. Through their intense performances, the cast powerfully embodied the essence of violent colonizers imposing dominance on untouched terrain.
Jules Aukland portrayed the loud-mouthed and hot-headed Ralph, the leader of the boys opposing Jack. She delivered a compelling performance with bold movements across the stage and a loud, boyish tone that captured Ralph’s fiery personality.
Piggy (Noam Citrin) was another standout character. As perhaps the most rational-minded figure in the play, Piggy tried to act as the voice of reason, but other boys repeatedly silenced him, including Ralph and Jack — who mocked him by stealing his glasses and calling him “fatso.”
Costume designer Sean Belavin made excellent choices in crafting the character wardrobes. The simple, school-appropriate outfits effectively conveyed the characters’ identities, enhancing the cast’s boyish appearance and contributing to the visual storytelling.
Director Andrea Perez is a third-year drama major with double minors in classics and creative writing. She shared that she chose to direct Lord of the Flies because she loved the novel in high school and became fascinated by how Golding’s middle school boys resorted to violence to recreate the British society they knew.
Perez introduced new changes to the story by casting Canadian university boys and girls as the ragtag British schoolboys. “I wanted to focus more on the characters themselves, and less on the genders they’re supposed to be,” she said.
Perez also spoke about how much she enjoyed putting the play together.
“Working with everybody has been so lovely. It’s such a big creative team, and such a big ensemble, and everyone was in the room all the time, and everyone really brought themselves to the work, and there’s such a beautiful level of care in the show that I really loved.”
No comments to display.