He Who Gets Slapped: In Review

The Theatre Department threw open its doors Thursday evening (March 1) for the highly anticipated production of He Who Gets Slapped. If you are unsure of what to expect, He Who Gets Slapped might catch you off guard in more ways than one.

He Who Gets Slapped will be showing March 9 - 18, call 786.4849 for tickets.

 

 

 

Upon entering the theatre, one will immediately take note of the distinctly original music permeating the environment. When this is combined with the lighting scheme, a foreboding and an almost eerie atmosphere is created. Sharply contrasting with the usual bright lights and peppy music most would associate with the circus, it is instantly clear that something is out of place here, that this is not your typical circus experience. As the plot unfolds under the big top, the themes of belonging and those out of place are recurrent, subliminally cementing the relationship of the music to the events, which take place.

The story begins with a brilliant scientist that has just discovered a major break-through in his field. However, when he goes to present his work, he finds that his friend has already stolen his ideas and wife claiming them as his own. In despair and disillusion, the scientist renounces his scholarly life and joins the circus as a clown. Needless to say, he as an intellectual never really fits in with the circus troop, although he does eventually develop a highly successful slapstick clown routine. "He", the only name the former scientist turned clown is known by, becomes the clown that everyone beats up on: He - who gets slapped.

He is not the only one in the circus searching for belonging. Zinaida, the seemingly fearless and feministic lion tamer, is actually very afraid that no one will ever love her. There is also the beautiful young bareback rider, Consuela, the heartthrob of the circus. She is daughter to the foolish Count Mancini who has spent all of his holdings on women, Consuela works to support herself and her father. She loves the circus, but her father contrives to marry her off to a rich lord or baron, not for her security, but so that he might have more money to frivolously spend.

The tragic proceedings under the big top also seem out of the ordinary for the circus and include: murders, suicide, and attempted rape. While the play is not all somber, its moments of levity hardly would qualify it as an outright comedy. The director and cast have done an amazing job bringing the whole production together. If you appreciate talented actors/actresses, physical comedy, and the unique experience live theatre provides, "He Who Gets Slapped" is for you.

"He Who Gets Slapped" will be showing March 9 - 18, call 786.4849 for tickets.