By Stephen Smoot
Eleven years ago, the Rustic Mechanicals brought art to enchant the City of Shinnston. Ever since that initial performance, West Virginia’s sole troupe of Shakespearean performers have stopped in Shinnston.
“Every summer we’ve been on tour, we’ve played that park,” says Jason Young, adding that “it’s been a home to us.”
In a brave new world of culture that increasingly eschews that which is centuries old and foundational to Western culture, some may see William Shakespeare as out of step and out of time.
Far from it. Shakespeare’s timeless themes and character archetypes have infused depth and texture into every genre. His pithy phrasing has enriched the culture and created a metaphorical language all its own.
The sole drift of their purpose lies in injecting vitality into Shakespeare that many have not experienced before. In most people’s experience with Shakespeare, “they have had it ruined for them or bored from them.” When students read the plays of Shakespeare without seeing the performances, too often, as Young says “I compare it to reading a piece of music” or reading a motion picture screenplay without hearing the music or seeing the film.
“We are able to bring it to life,” says Young, whose troupe often performs for audiences at colleges and high schools. He went on to say that “they get a deeper grasp and understanding.”
Rustic Mechanicals takes pride in delivering what Young calls “Shakespeareances.” They use live music and audience interaction to go beyond the traditional, yet still respect the beauty and the soul of the original works.
The troupe chose Shakespeare because, as Young says “at the time, West Virginia was one of two states in the nation without a Shakespeare festival or Shakespeare troupe. “West Virginia deserves it,” he stated.
Audiences this year will see The Tempest, a rousing tale that some might say would cure deafness. Young explains that this play is “believed by most scholars to be the last play that he wrote on his own.” That sense of finality, not unlike the undercurrent in John Wayne’s last work The Shootist, undergirds the plot expression and development.
“It feels and it hits different,” Young shared.
The plot of The Tempest centers around Prospero, a magician who lives on a Mediterranean island, but is also the rightful Duke of Milan. His powers rival those of the Celtic mythological magician Merlin in that he can bend the laws of nature to suit his needs. In the play, Prospero summons a storm to bring to his land those who wronged him and deprived him of his rightful position. He then treats his “guests” to an experience “where nothing is as it seems.”
“There’s something for everyone in this play,” Young said, explaining that the play has elements of a family conspiracy and revenge, political and romantic subplots, father and daughter dynamics, magic, drunken fools, and “a handful of some of the best speeches that Shakespeare ever wrote.”
Shakespearean plays often use soliloquies, speeches by a character aimed generally in the direction of the audience, to convey ideas in the most beautiful use of words and iambic pentameter. The Tempest has many memorable such moments.
Thought is free, and so is the performance. It will take place on July 7.
“If they love Shakespeare, they’ll love it. If they’ve never seen Shakespeare, they’ll love our show.”
“These performances foster a diverse community for artists and art lovers,” said Maria L. Cusack, Economic Development Team for Shinnston, West Virginia. She added that “they create opportunities for actors and the audience to engage in a shared cultural experience.”
She also stated that “they are a vital force in spreading the joy of Shakespeare throughout the area and we are excited to welcome them to Shinnston “
The art of Shakespeare, and those who inject vivacity into four centuries of his stories, his language, and his archetypal characters bring to audiences such stuff as dreams are made on – while also enhancing Shinnston’s growing reputation as an artistic destination.
The troupe understands that performing Shakespeare properly is a gift to the audience, and “an honor, but also a responsibility.”