Splendid: Dr Faustus

One Monday in September, a large group of eager sixth formers are huddled outside the performance space, anticipating an entertaining, outside-the-box masterpiece. As always, Splendid Theatre Company led by Artistic Director Kerry Frampton did not disappoint.

Splendid create professional, political, accessible theatre for young people across the UK, interpreting Greek and classical plays such as Woyzeck, The Odyssey, Medea and in our case, an imaginative and politically charged conceptualisation of the Elizabethan tragedy Dr Faustus.

The play focuses on renowned Doctor Faustus, dissatisfied with the dull, uninspiring and accomplished nature of his everyday life, whose hubris leads to the exchange of his soul and life on earth with the Devil, Lucifer. The play debates the morality of the human race, examining each of the 7 deadly sins in detail, linking these to Dr Faustus’ life experiences. This story of twisted ambition and dissatisfaction was beautifully interpreted in the Splendid style, taking inspiration from Bertolt Brecht's world of Epic Theatre, as well as many other art forms such as the British pantomime and the exaggerated characterisation and ‘Total Theatre’ of Steven Berkoff.

This use of exaggerated character was demonstrated compellingly through Tanya Muchanyuka's performance as the conventionally ‘unimportant lower-class character’ whom Dr Faustus’ servant Wagner encounters. During this scene, she spoke in a thick cockney accent, breaking into a cheery song accompanied by comedic use of a horn, in which she revelled in her lack of materialistic possession and homeless status. This created a comedic atmosphere for the audience, who were invited to laugh at her complete lack of intelligence and ability to integrate within an upper-class environment. This short moment of comedy however was disrupted by the underlying politics of the piece: the audience soon realised they were taking immense enjoyment in watching a figure plagued by poverty taunted and teased – this realisation epitomised by Muchanyuka's delivery of the line ‘I'm so poor my children starved to death’. What began as a moment of comic relief ended up a reminder of the epidemic of disparity and poverty still prevalent in modern society today.

This politically charged performance was further elevated by stunning performances from Grace Goulding and Nick Crosbie. A performance full of inventive songs, colourful characters and a strong social message, Splendid's Dr Faustus illuminated the stage and left the audience questioning whether they would compromise their own morality for a chance at success, a level of didacticism reminiscent of Brecht himself.

www.splendidproductions. co.uk/productions/faustus_2019.php