Johnson’s play is still relevant to modern day
Glenalmond College put on a rarely-seen play, first staged after London was hit by a plague outbreak 400 years ago.
The obscure drama - Epicene, the 1609 Renaissance comedy by Ben Jonson seemed just the thing for the current times.
The finished production was viewed online.
Epicine had its debut in London as the capital was getting over an 18-month episode of the plague when theatres were closed, as they are today.
Online auditions via Google Meet started during remote learning in June 2020, when pupils from all year groups, from Scotland to Italy to Thailand, were assessed for the parts by Glenalmond’s director of theatre, Liz Moss.
During the summer holidays Mrs Moss began the meticulous task of adapting the play to ensure it could be performed to meet COVID safety requirements.
“We also wanted to adapt the play to make sure the production was really pacey and fun and absolutely relevant,” said Mrs Moss.
“We’ve created a surreal world, blending a Renaissance aesthetic with a 1980s New Romantic look and sound.
“Both genres, though centuries apart, explored androgyny, so it seems to work.
“The electro-pop music and graphic neon makeup put a fun spin on the Jacobean text.
“The script, acting and backstage ways of working have all been adapted to meet social distancing constraints such as strict limits on the number of performers on the stage at any one time and to ensure our COVID-safe year group bubbles were kept physically distanced at all times.
“We’ve even inverted the classic Commedia half-mask, to create face coverings for the actors to use during the performance.”
One key aspect of the play was the way it embraces the subject of gender performance. This production of Epicene has girls and boys playing both male and female roles, challenging the audience to think about gender and how society expects men and women to behave.
Artist Christopher Moss produced a stunning set for the play, with the costumes and props made by staff and pupils and the make-up by the art department. The play featured adaptations of ‘80s music produced by the school’s director of music Tim Ridley.
Mrs Moss concluded: “The whole experience of pulling Epicene together and finding ways to overcome all the hurdles placed in our way is a reflection of what is so special about Glenalmond.
“We feel we are doing this for everyone who is missing making theatre right now.”