Love's Labor's Lost Performance Analysis, Revisited

BYU's 1940's version of Shakespeare's Love's Labor's Lost was intriguing on many levels. The play pointed to the similar social ideals between the original setting of the play and the adapted setting of the play, mostly on the level of how relationships and wit function in both. By placing the production in a 1940's setting the director made the play more accessible to a modern audience. Although the 1940's isn't quite like our 2012 society, it is much easier to relate to than Shakespeare's 1500-1600 setting.

With the Shakespearean language still in tact, the characters changed accents, speech patterns, and upped the body language to help the audience get the gist of what was being said. Because the original language wasn't changed the wit translated across in a way that no translation could. The original script became even more understandable when spoken colloquially as the characters often did. The Shakespearean  wit also served as a commentary on relationships throughout the play and helped the audience to understand that the relationships weren't necessarily based on anything of great depth but on flirtatious exchanges. If I could use just one phrase to describe the characters in the play it would be "fools in love." Nothing gets too serious or heavy until the end. The supposedly deep love sonnets are written and expressed whimsically and the exchanges between the men and women consist only of good-hearted banter. When the play ends and the "lovers" depart, it isn't a tragedy because it is not a once in a life time kind of love....yet. If the men survive the year without their lovers it just may become that but who's really to say.

The staging of the play was simple but effective, portraying a WWII club/bar/radio show effectively and humorously. Chelsey Roberts did a fantastic job with the costumes and they truly captured the essence of the WWII era quite well.  The hair styles fit well with the costumes and both helped to get the audience into the right mindset (the suspension of disbelief mindset as Keats would say). They actors/actresses were well caste and each fit their part well. Rosaline was a particular favorite of mine. The minors characters of the play, while not given many speaking parts, were great performers and added greatly to the sort of party-like feel of the play.

While overall, the director did a great job of capturing the essence of the Shakespearean comedy, several of the smaller details were lacking. These details didn't take away from the overall quality of the show but were things that could be improved on for great audience enjoyment. I feel like they would have been helpful to anticipate before seeing the play.  First, the play went a little bit longer than many anticipated which wouldn't be a problem if the length was known ahead of time, but becomes a problem when audience members have different expectations. I felt that some of the banter could have been removed and some minor scenes were interesting but unnecessary. The program explained several concepts apparent in the play but I felt it should have discussed the decision to change Moth to a female character so that it was clearer in the play and so the audience didn't expect a romantic ending for her.  Many in the audience also seemed to be surprised by the abrupt ending and separation of others, which I felt they should have prepared us for.

While the play had some flaws, none of them were tragic and the play was generally well-received and enjoyed by audience members. The interactive nature of the play (talking to members of the audience, inviting audience members to come on stage during intermission, etc.) made it very unique and memorable. This play, like many of BYU's, certainly did not disappoint and is sure to leave adults, students, and children pleasantly surprised.