After almost 30 years, Shakespeare returned to the stage in Kuching thanks to the students of St Joseph’s Private School, a Jesuit-run institution in Malaysia. The 100-strong cast and crew dazzled audiences at the Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Parish Centre (ACCPC) of St Joseph’s Cathedral with their performance of a modern English version of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”.
The performances on the evenings of August 7 and 8 were the culmination of more than six months of hard work by the students who took charge of everything from the sets to the costumes, ticketing to ushering. This student-centred effort was guided by the teachers – Fr Alvin Ng SJ, Scholastic Stanley Goh SJ and Ms Lucilla Chin – who provided unwavering support and advice to all involved, pushing them to achieve their full potential in the production.
Many in the audience were pleasantly surprised at the polished delivery of the lines by the actors and marvelled at the simple yet fitting sets and costumes used on stage. The entire cast and crew were Form One to Four students, that is between 13 to 16 years old, but despite their age, they performed admirably in their first attempt at putting up a public school production. The energy and dedication of the 102 students involved in the play were palpable as soon as one stepped into the ACCPC building, promising a good show that was delivered by the end of the night.
As a school managed by the Society of Jesus, this production continues the long tradition that Jesuits have had with drama. The first recorded performance of a Jesuit school play was in 1551 at the Jesuit College at Messina, Italy. As Jesuit colleges and schools spread all over Europe in the 16th and 17th Centuries, drama in schools proliferated as well. Drama was seen as an effective tool for both intellectual and character development of students. This production of “The Tempest” is no different as the students involved have indeed grown and developed in myriad ways as could be seen on stage.
The choice of The Tempest proved to be a wise one. The simple yet accessible tale of love, betrayal and revenge, interlaced with moments of comedy and light-hearted banter clearly resonated with the audiences. The gasps, cheers and laughter heard during the performances attested to the ability of the cast to make Shakespeare come alive for young and old. Even the children present were enthralled by the visuals and many comic scenes that gave life to the play and made it a truly unforgettable night of drama for all.
