Cantebury Tales - A Modern Twist on an Old Classic
Jessica Toomer
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Entertainment
As a fan of the 14th Century novel, Cantebury Tales, I found the Henderson-Davis Players presentation among the best that I have seen.
The original version was written by Geoffrey Chaucer, but the Players are doing a adaptation by author Bernice Bronson.
The major conflict is the same as the Chaucer original; storytellers competing to tell the best story to win a bottle of wine.
Chaucer wrote this to be a comedic play, that teaches a moral with each story.
The is seen by the fact that the play is also interactive, and characters such as the Yeomen played by Elijah Corley, the Pardoner played by Trevor Joyner and the Innkeeper played by Jamel Jackson brought the comic side of their characters out the best.
The play covered the most read stories from the Canterbury Tales, including the Prologue, Yeoman's Tale, Wife of Bath's Tale, Pardoner's Tale and the famous Priest's Tale.
From the beginning, elements of modern life were found in the actions of the actors, especially the banter among each other.
For example, watch Elijah Corley entertain you with more than just his acting skills, and listen closely to the conversation that the Priest and that Innkeeper have when the Wife of Bath is talking.
There are nice references to pop culture as a means of interaction with the audience.
Blair Robinson's Michael Jackson moment during the Pardoner's Tale was also very good. However, the song "Owe my Darlin" was used a little too much.
Overall, I loved the play. Can't wait for the next one, which sources say will be "The Piano Lesson" by August Wilson.
Hope that you go support these talented SC State students and the Drama Department.
SC State, Claflin and OCtech students are admitted free with their ID cards.
The original version was written by Geoffrey Chaucer, but the Players are doing a adaptation by author Bernice Bronson.
The major conflict is the same as the Chaucer original; storytellers competing to tell the best story to win a bottle of wine.
Chaucer wrote this to be a comedic play, that teaches a moral with each story.
The is seen by the fact that the play is also interactive, and characters such as the Yeomen played by Elijah Corley, the Pardoner played by Trevor Joyner and the Innkeeper played by Jamel Jackson brought the comic side of their characters out the best.
The play covered the most read stories from the Canterbury Tales, including the Prologue, Yeoman's Tale, Wife of Bath's Tale, Pardoner's Tale and the famous Priest's Tale.
From the beginning, elements of modern life were found in the actions of the actors, especially the banter among each other.
For example, watch Elijah Corley entertain you with more than just his acting skills, and listen closely to the conversation that the Priest and that Innkeeper have when the Wife of Bath is talking.
There are nice references to pop culture as a means of interaction with the audience.
Blair Robinson's Michael Jackson moment during the Pardoner's Tale was also very good. However, the song "Owe my Darlin" was used a little too much.
Overall, I loved the play. Can't wait for the next one, which sources say will be "The Piano Lesson" by August Wilson.
Hope that you go support these talented SC State students and the Drama Department.
SC State, Claflin and OCtech students are admitted free with their ID cards.
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