Dear all,

Welcome to the Senior Play 2000 Forum.

Please feel free to post your comments on the play and share what you think about the play. What do you think of Shakespeare in Tang? How do you like the adaptation? How do you like the Chinese costume, the simple set, the lighting effects, and the music in the play? How do you like the dances of the fairies, the cute Pucks,the funny mechenicals, the presentation of Oberon and Titania? the lovers? Theseus and Hippolyta? Who is your favorite actor/actress? Do you have anything to say to your big school brothers and sisters? What do you think of the play within the play scene? Does seeing the play on stage help you to visualize the scene better and get the fun in the written text? What do you think is the functions of dreams are? What do you think the magic charm of love in idleness is? What does it tell you about the nature of love? What do you think the opening and ending dances in the play mean? We hope you have all enjoyed the play and find that Shakespeare is not that difficult after all. And we look forward to having your comments on the play or sharing of your opinions, experiences reading and watching plays!!!

Happy Year 2000 ---------- Doris

 


 

Although the original script was written by Shakespeare, the cultural was belonged to Western, the director was so creative that she set the background in Tang dynasty and integrated the two different cultures. This idea was surprised to me and urged me to know what¡¦ll happen in the play. Because the background was Chinese, the content was filled with Chinese dancing and music, which was splendid and made me know how hard the dancers and creators had worked. In my opinion, the script written by Shakespeare set in ancient time was more difficult to act than the script set in modern society. Not only the intonation the actors and actresses had to intimate but also the lines of the actors or actresses were hard to remember. They couldn¡¦t add any conversation if any accident happen, so they had to make no mistake and adjust to changing circumstance by acting instead of speaking to make up for the fault. To my surprise, the stage was no curtain for changing every plot. Therefore, if it is necessary to change the setting, the audiences will see all the process the workers work. And the appearing of the actors and actresses needed wisdom of the director to make an arrangement, which was a big challenge for the director. But in this play the process was so fluent and made some tricks to minimize the changing of setting, which I could know how creative the team were. By the way, I saw the play twice. Because my school-brother, Jason, acted so marvelously and I couldn¡¦t resist sending him flowers to praise his success. section b/ vickie Hsu 's review I've been looked forward to seeing this senior play since we read some lines from our textbook. When I read this drama in class,the thing that impressed me most was the art of choosing the right word to emphasize parlance. Shakespeare used serious consonants to show specific feelings. For instance,he used the consonant "k" on page1704,line265 "Quail, crush,conclude,and quell!" I had read the interpretation of this drama before.It didn't impress me much at that time. However;I was so affected by the beautifuful expressions while reading the original. Although,some lines are not easy to understand,through the previous introduction I still can follow the whole play. At this respect,the actors really did a great job in memorizing the long lines well. Besides,the idea of placing the time on Tang dynasty was quite special. I think they must pay a lot attention on those gorgeous clothes and dancing. On the other hand,I think Andrew who played the role Bottom is the most outstanding actor in this play. His body language is so excellent. It really seemed that he became the character as long as he stood on the stage. Whenever seeing he on the stage,I can not but feeling funny. However;I think the funny part was too much. Thus,this "The lamentable comedy" was not well balamced. In addition,Andrew "killed" himself for several times in the end of the cruel death. I think that's too over. It made this play seemed to be a farce in variety shows on TV. Also,the two couples didn't seem to love each other. It may be better if the actors can put more emtion. Further more,I think the clothes of the queen was too bombastic. I can undersatnd the director may want to show her independence. Still,I feel the overemphasized clothes may make audience unable to focus on her symbol of freedom. This play was not perfect. In fact,no play is perfect. We should give them a big hand for their hardworking. I'm glad that I had the chance to see this nice play. MeganHu [top]

Emily's Reflection of The Play-A Midsummer Night's Dream Through the vivid performance, I can see lovers' being changeable. However, it is a catalytic agent of the comedy. The play put emphasis on what's real and what's unreal. Whatever happened, all are dreams. When the sun rises, everything will come to harmony. Being out of the dream, seeing the world with a clear point, all the emotion and feelings are like foam, like an interlude of time and like small frustration in our colorful life. I can see every possibility in terms of the angle of comedies. When I stepped into the SFL Theater, I felt as if I went into a mysterious forest. With faint lights, some fume and mysterious music, the atmosphere about the play was well established. Although I had just read the story " A Midsummer Night's Dream" for one time and glanced at the introduction only, I could feel that I was one member in the forest in this play. Also, I saw some fairies appearing about me, as interested me a lot. Then, the play started. Actually, I loved what the fairies wore very much so I paid more attention to their dance. Generally speaking, they danced well but it didn't seem so professional if they could practice more or be concerned about what their act was, the performance would be better. Every character's clothes were styled suitably so they played well as if the real characters appeared in front of me. It was Shakespeare's play, a western play, but it was presented in Chinese dress and with some Chinese custom and something about Chinese culture, we could see the combination of the east and the west. In reality, this was a different and special show for me for I had never have such a show before. The whole play was filled with creativity and it was not so bored but mad people laugh. In fact, I couldn't understand what they say thoroughly but through their action, I thought that I acknowledge a little. By the way, if every character could speak more loudly, the play would be more wonderful. I hope that I could have the pleasure to enjoy such a kind of play again because I am interested in it. If possible, I would give myself the chance to act, no matter it would be criticized or not. To sum up, the senior ply was successful, as made me have the desire to do the sane thing, too. Emily Chiang [top]

Introduction to Western Literature Reflection on A Midsummer Night¡¦s Dream It¡¦s really amazing to watch this play presented in the background of Tang Dynasty. The transition of the epoch has not made this drama awkward. On the contrary, this play conveys a special and fresh feeling to me, especially the marriage between Theseus and Hippolyta. Theseus, the Tang emperor, marries the captured princess Hippolyta. One is the most powerful man at that time, while the other is the barbarian princess. One represents the Chinese culture while the other represents the foreign culture. The two different cultures melt together. The interaction between them is delicate to describe. The endless involvement among Hermia, Helena, Demetrius, and Lysander attracts me very much. With the mistake made by Puck, the situation becomes more complicated. But that¡¦s why makes this part interesting. The four actors really did a good job presenting the four dramatic and fun characters. I can see Hermia¡¦s deep love for Lysander, how agitatedly Helena reacts when Demetrius and Lysander ask her love, and how unreasonably Lysander treats Hermia. All these interaction among them make this play appreciate-worthy. Although the situation is in a mess, the world still comes back to order the next day. Everything and everyone on earth should be in harmony. Among all the characters, I like Puck the best. He is very naughty and cute. His every move is quick and soft. I really feel that I see a genie hanging around. His silly action draws my attention so much that I can¡¦t help laughing. The actor really enlivens Puck. If there were a contest about how well these actors present, I would definitely award him of the best supportive actor. This play is very different from the movie version I¡¦ve seen. Sitting in front of the stage, I feel it more real to see this play. There is no screen between us. The distance of actors and audience undoubtedly shorten. The actors¡¦ asking the spectators to dance can be an obvious example. The special interaction of this play cannot be found in movie. I really like the real feeling! Scarlett Lin [top]

I'm impressed by Hippolyta's costume . The Chinese Opera outfit was a nice imitation , though the feather is too short and the costume itself looked a little like it's going to fall apart . It's quite nice since they are quite short of budget . But I think it's very strange to have her wear Kimono at the end . The sound effect and lighting was creating a very mysterious and fine atmosphere for the play , especially the forest . It's quite clever to save money and creat effects that way . The best thing of a play is the interaction between the audience and the actors/actresses . Today I went to see ²H¤ô¤pÂí with my sister and at the beginning of the play when the actress was introducing ²H¤ô , she interviewed the person editing Tamsui Chronicle in the play . Suddenly she turned to the audience and said , " Those who want to know about Tamsui can raise your hands and ask our Tamsui expert questions concerning Tamsui . " We were very surprised . At that moment we were not only the audience , we were actually IN the play , too . In senior play , when Helena was walking by and we have to leave out a space for her , we felt as though we were helping her , and we could feel more easily her anxiety . It's a very good thing to have interaction with the audience because we will feel closer to the actors and actresses . The main theme of the play is , I think , that love is blind . Whenever we fell in love with somebody , we only see what's good about him/her . Everything he or she does is right and other things can be neglected . Michelle Wang [top]

Although the original script was written by Shakespeare, the cultural was belonged to Western, the director was so creative that she set the background in Tang dynasty and integrated the two different cultures. This idea was surprised to me and urged me to know what¡¦ll happen in the play. Because the background was Chinese, the content was filled with Chinese dancing and music, which was splendid and made me know how hard the dancers and creators had worked. In my opinion, the script written by Shakespeare set in ancient time was more difficult to act than the script set in modern society. Not only the intonation the actors and actresses had to intimate but also the lines of the actors or actresses were hard to remember. They couldn¡¦t add any conversation if any accident happen, so they had to make no mistake and adjust to changing circumstance by acting instead of speaking to make up for the fault. To my surprise, the stage was no curtain for changing every plot. Therefore, if it is necessary to change the setting, the audiences will see all the process the workers work. And the appearing of the actors and actresses needed wisdom of the director to make an arrangement, which was a big challenge for the director. But in this play the process was so fluent and made some tricks to minimize the changing of setting, which I could know how creative the team were. By the way, I saw the play twice. Because my school-brother, Jason, acted so marvelously and I couldn¡¦t resist sending him flowers to praise his success. vickie Hsu [top]