Theater Fairfield’s latest production may have been authored over 2,000 years ago, but its universal themes of political upheaval, corruption and man’s unquenchable thirst for power are more than alive in today’s world.
Originally authored by Aristophanes in 414 B.C. and later translated loosely by Peter Meineck, “The Birds” is a Greek satire that leaves no member of Athenian society untouched. In addition, Theater Fairfield has made the play even more applicable to contemporary society by substituting original references to ancient politicians with modern figures.
“It’s a very loose translation,” said Nick Smaligo ’05, who plays the lead character of Makemedo, a figure modeled after George W. Bush. “We just made it looser.”
The play is particularly relevant due to the upcoming national election, according to Resident Director of Theater Fairfield, Associate Professor of Theatre, and Chair of the Department of Visual ‘ Performing Arts, Martha Schmoyer LoMonaco.
“Since we 21st century Americans are currently in the throes of a national debate regarding those important-and self-important-voices of our own era, we decided that ‘The Birds,’ with a few changes of names and place, would be a perfect comic respite from the slings and arrows of the 2004 U.S. Presidential election,” she said.
The play focuses on two disgruntled Athenians, Makemedo and Goodhope, who leave the city in search of a new home separated from the political turmoil of Athens. In their journey, they seek counsel from former political outcast, Tereus, who has since become a bird named Hoopdee. It is after his journey to Hoopdee that Makemedo hatches the idea that he will found a city in the sky that blocks the gods of Mount Olympus from below and controls mankind from above. He convinces the birds to join in his endeavor and the play chronicles his creation of his city, Cloudcuckooland.
Adding to the play’s charm are Technicolor masks and shoes, interesting props, and of course the always amusing scatological humor that is common to most of ancient Greek comedy.
“Modern audiences are often shocked by the crudeness of Greek ‘Old Comedy,’ of which Aristophanes was one of the leading playwrights, but Athenian audiences would have been equally shocked by the prudity of our own age,” said LoMonaco. “Frank-speaking about and enactments of bodily functions were considered healthy and normal and a means of exhibiting the totality of what it means to be human.”
Apparently, Aristophanes’ view of “being human” includes a scene where the birds actually defecate on stage.
Actors are excited about performing the allegorical and fantastic production because it strays from the confines of realism and allows more interpretation of characters.
“It is fun because it’s not realism,” said Bill Bria ’05, who plays Hoopdee. “There is [more] over articulation.”
“It is definitely a high energy play,” said Smaligo. “There are lots of colors, a lot of yelling, dancing and choreographed movement.”
With its biting satire, comedic edge, lively performance, and political undertones, LoMonaco hopes the performance reaches every audience member.
“I hope the Fairfield community will see how enjoyable and relevant a 2,400 year old play can be,” she said. “I never do a play ‘just for entertainment,’ [and] as far as I’m concerned, there is no such thing. Theater should engage our hearts, minds, and psyches. If you leave the theater not talking about the play, we haven’t done our job.”
Beyond the entertainment aspect of the play, students should be encouraged by it to become involved in the politics of our own country.
“We hope to make you laugh as well as contemplative of our present political situation. Please leave the theatre chuckling thoughtfully and with plans to vote in [the upcoming] election,” said LoMonaco.
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