'Island of Slaves' cast flaunts skills despite awkward setting

The cast and crew of "The Island of Slaves" were obviously prepared for their Jan. 22 opening performance. Unfortunately, however, the Lee Center was not built with musicals in mind, making some things distractingly hard to hear.

"The Island of Slaves" was first written in the 18th century by Pierre Marivaux but was never intended to be a musical. Director Ki Gottberg adapted it with the help of composer Casey James, modernizing its message through song. Unlike most musicals, this one explores multiple musical genres ranging from rock to opera. It also communicates a variety of themes including lust and vengeance. Even though most of the lyrics didn't come from the play's original text, they seem to stay true to the original comedic intent of Marivaux.

The production opens with a chaotic shipwreck scene taking place in total darkness. After a short, folksy island song, two aristocrats and their slaves find themselves helpless on Slave Island, where slaves who rebelled from their owners came to set up a colony.

Trivelin, the leader of the island, introduces himself to the shipwrecked characters and explains the rules of Slave Island: the master becomes the slave, and the slave becomes the master.

Experiencing some bitterness at the start, the two former slaves consistently mock their former masters and mistreat them in the same way they were mistreated. The clown Harlequin is the first slave to forgive his master after some time. Eventually, he influences the vengeful Cleanthis to do the same.

The production ends with slightly cliché embraces among slaves and masters, who have cast aside their trivial longings and possessions and become friends. It also brings a moral question to the audience in the closing number—"who do you serve, and what serves you?"

Gottberg believes this production is extremely relevant to the current time period.

"Large numbers of Americans have been recently disrupted with economic chicanery, the gap between rich and poor grows wider, and the realities of war and debt grind ceaselessly on," Gottberg wrote in the performance's program. It is because of this that Gottberg decided to direct this particular play; even now, the essential characteristics of being human can be lost. This production aims to show audience members the errors of their ways and allows them to find the most human characteristics of compassion and empathy within themselves.

The technical aspects of the play allow the audience to focus on Gottberg's intent. The set is extremely simplistic: a textured, blank canvas serves as the backdrop, while the rectangular stage is painted to represent sand. There are no intricate props, only intricate 18th century style costumes. The simplicity of the set and props successfully avoids distraction from the outrageous, over the top acting and the moral of the production.

"The Island of Slaves" successfully balances slap-stick humor with serious themes. If it weren't for sound problems that caused the issue of juggling actors' voices, the Lee Center's first musical would have been overwhelmingly successful.

"The Island of Slaves" will run Thursday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. until Feb. 7. Tickets range from $6 to $10.

Kat may be reached at  kcatlett@su-spectator.com.