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Home is a menacing place
Spellbinding Lord of the Flies at New Village Arts features youthful actors and negative consequences.
Lord of the Flies at New Village Arts
Lord of the Flies
- New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 B State Street, Carlsbad
- $24 - $42
New Village Arts Theatre has once again crafted a brilliant staging of a theatrical production adapted from the page. The Carlsbad company, which in the past has presented interpretations of To Kill a Mockingbird and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, is currently producing writer Nigel Williams’ live take on William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.
The story opens after a plane full of school-age boys crashes on an uninhabited island. At first, the teenagers handle their bizarre situation in a relatively upbeat manner. Ralph (Jonah Gercke) acts as an unofficial leader and seems to have the respect of most of the castaways. Unfortunately for him, a cocky, power-hungry rebel, Jack (David Coffey), attempts to rule the isle, which leads to negative consequences.
The setting is in modern times, and the sophisticated young actors talk with American accents while wearing realistic 21st century clothing from Kate Bishop. This means that potential audience members who want the cast to use British slang, such as “bollocks” and “smashing,” should stay home and re-read the book.
Lord of the Flies at New Village Arts
Having the plot take place in 2015 creates an unsettling effect. All of the schoolboys were on the doomed flight, due to an evacuation during a war. Director Justin Lang makes viewers decide for themselves which armed conflict is in progress.
Lang uses his prior experience as a gifted comedic performer to good advantage during the opening moments. The humor early on is a cover for the horrifically brutal events to follow.
As the evening progresses, Kelly Kissinger’s set becomes more nightmarish. This is in part from Chris Renda’s spooky lighting and Matt Lescault-Woods’ frightening audio. During the evening sequences, they help make Ralph and Jack’s new home seem like a menacing place where beasts are hiding in wait for them.
The director highlights the theme of alienation. Many conversations between the chaps end in verbal fights, harsh language, and angry dialogue. The failure to emphasize and bond with each other results in their downfall.
Lang seems to have a way with young talent. Gercke, Coffey, Ben Ellerbrock as the helpless Piggy, and Aaron Acosta as the tragic Simon give raw, intense, and sometimes morally ugly performances. The director’s decision to have a cast comprised exclusively of age-appropriate thespians adds authenticity to the evening.
It should be noted that Gercke is the son of NVA Executive Artistic Director, Kristianne Kurner, and the results are far from a Godfather Part III, Sofia Coppola debacle. His arc is similar to watching a laid back friend transform over two hours into a psychologically scarred individual. The final scene with Gercke is a devastating punch to the gut.
By capturing Golding’s bleak tone, Lang has proven himself to be a fearless director. He has crafted an experience that might not be feel good entertainment, but the results are spellbinding.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Home is a menacing place
Spellbinding Lord of the Flies at New Village Arts features youthful actors and negative consequences.
Home is a menacing place
Spellbinding Lord of the Flies at New Village Arts features youthful actors and negative consequences.
Lord of the Flies at New Village Arts
Lord of the Flies
- New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 B State Street, Carlsbad
- $24 - $42
New Village Arts Theatre has once again crafted a brilliant staging of a theatrical production adapted from the page. The Carlsbad company, which in the past has presented interpretations of To Kill a Mockingbird and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, is currently producing writer Nigel Williams’ live take on William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.
The story opens after a plane full of school-age boys crashes on an uninhabited island. At first, the teenagers handle their bizarre situation in a relatively upbeat manner. Ralph (Jonah Gercke) acts as an unofficial leader and seems to have the respect of most of the castaways. Unfortunately for him, a cocky, power-hungry rebel, Jack (David Coffey), attempts to rule the isle, which leads to negative consequences.
The setting is in modern times, and the sophisticated young actors talk with American accents while wearing realistic 21st century clothing from Kate Bishop. This means that potential audience members who want the cast to use British slang, such as “bollocks” and “smashing,” should stay home and re-read the book.
Lord of the Flies at New Village Arts
Having the plot take place in 2015 creates an unsettling effect. All of the schoolboys were on the doomed flight, due to an evacuation during a war. Director Justin Lang makes viewers decide for themselves which armed conflict is in progress.
Lang uses his prior experience as a gifted comedic performer to good advantage during the opening moments. The humor early on is a cover for the horrifically brutal events to follow.
As the evening progresses, Kelly Kissinger’s set becomes more nightmarish. This is in part from Chris Renda’s spooky lighting and Matt Lescault-Woods’ frightening audio. During the evening sequences, they help make Ralph and Jack’s new home seem like a menacing place where beasts are hiding in wait for them.
The director highlights the theme of alienation. Many conversations between the chaps end in verbal fights, harsh language, and angry dialogue. The failure to emphasize and bond with each other results in their downfall.
Lang seems to have a way with young talent. Gercke, Coffey, Ben Ellerbrock as the helpless Piggy, and Aaron Acosta as the tragic Simon give raw, intense, and sometimes morally ugly performances. The director’s decision to have a cast comprised exclusively of age-appropriate thespians adds authenticity to the evening.
It should be noted that Gercke is the son of NVA Executive Artistic Director, Kristianne Kurner, and the results are far from a Godfather Part III, Sofia Coppola debacle. His arc is similar to watching a laid back friend transform over two hours into a psychologically scarred individual. The final scene with Gercke is a devastating punch to the gut.
By capturing Golding’s bleak tone, Lang has proven himself to be a fearless director. He has crafted an experience that might not be feel good entertainment, but the results are spellbinding.
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