Cappies Review: 'Lord Of The Flies' At McLean High School

By Simon Van Der Weide of Flint Hill School

What happens to a group of schoolchildren, alone, abandoned on an island with nothing but the clothes on their backs? McLean High School's production of Lord of the Flies draws the audience deep within the forests of such a deserted place, where everyone succumbs to the beast within.

Lord of the Flies is a stage adaptation of a book with the same name, written in 1954 by William Golding, British author and winner of the 1983 Nobel Prize in Literature. Nigel Williams adapted the seminal text for the stage in 1995, and the Royal Shakespeare Company went on to perform the show for the first time in 1996. Lord of the Flies tells the tale of how young British children struggle to survive after their airplane crashes on a primitive island in the middle of the ocean. Although Golding's novel featured only male characters, McLean High School's production chose to subvert that norm and showcase the talent of an all-female cast.

Stealing the show from the moment she walked out on stage, Kristen Waagner (Jack) captivated with her imposing physicality, dominant persona, and excellent portrayal of the power-hungry choir prefect. Waagner artfully revealed the foibles of her character and drew the attention of everyone, making the tension almost tangible. Waagner never faltered in her performance and never failed to energize the air, whether stalking silently across the sand or dancing her primal dances. Playing the murderous villain, Waagner puppeteer-ed the entire ensemble into madness with striking skill and aplomb.

From the opening lines of the show to her last lines, Jordan Prather (Piggy) remained the rational voice in a growing cacophony of insanity. Prather's pleading voice and constant adherence to the conch shell, the last symbol of order in a world of chaos, sharply contrasted with the depraved anarchy of the entire rest of the cast. Prather brought a refreshing note of constancy and normality to the show, providing the springboard for almost everyone else's rebellion, and rightly fell victim to the climax.

The ensemble members of McLean High School's Lord of the Flies not only drove the show forward but also danced and chanted their way into the minds of the audience. Moving and pounding their spears in perfect unison, the posse of savage hunters roared and whirled around the stage, mesmerizing the audience with their ecstatic synchronicity. Each member of the ensemble functioned both cohesively with the rest of the group and individually as a unique voice; especially noteworthy for this were the performances of Ruby Larimer (Simon) and Alexandra Lagos (Maurice).

From the 3,500 pounds of sand that covered the floor to the authentic tree branches that decorated the platforms, the stage echoed William Golding's vision of the island as a fiercely wild and rustic locale. Lighting and sound only further strengthened the untamed nature of the island by casting the stage in mysterious glows with the din of nature following in lockstep. The show also featured a convincing rainstorm with real water, the bloody carcass of a slaughtered pig, and gradually more bloodstained clothes that only enhanced the audience's immersion in the show itself.

The skillful cast of McLean High School bared the depths of their souls to the audience and masterfully brought their sinister performance of Lord of the Flies to life.

Photo by Erica Bass, from left to right: Carenna Slotkoff, Claire A'Hearn, Avery Versaw, Easton McCollough, Alexandra Lagos, Syd Kirk, Bryn Kirk