By: Percy MacKaye (1875-1956)
Caliban by the Yellow Sands is a thought-provoking play that explores themes of colonialism, power dynamics, and identity. Set on a remote island, the story follows the interactions between the native inhabitants and a group of outsiders who seek to exploit the island for their own gain.
The character of Caliban, a native islander, is a complex and compelling figure who grapples with his own sense of belonging and loyalty. The dialogue between Caliban and the outsiders is tense and charged with emotion, highlighting the underlying tensions between the two groups.
Percy MacKaye’s writing is beautifully evocative, transporting the reader to the vivid and exotic setting of the island. The play’s themes of cultural appropriation and exploitation are as relevant today as they were when the play was first written, making it a powerful and timely work of literature.
Overall, Caliban by the Yellow Sands is a thought-provoking and engaging play that challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about power, privilege, and identity. It is a compelling read that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned. Book Description: Caliban, the primitive, savage son of the witch Sycorax and the evil frog-tiger god Setebos, seeks to obtain knowledge and become civilized from a strange magician named Prospero and his young daughter, Miranda. Through fantastic visions , poetry, song and dance, thus begins the slow, gradual education of a inquisitive brute as he faces enlightenment and wicked temptation. Serving as a thematic companion piece and maybe spiritual prequel and midquel to William Shakespeare's The Tempest, Caliban by the Yellow Sands was a massive, elaborate and outdoor "community masque" performed from 1916-1917 in New York and Boston as part of the three-hundredth anniversary of Shakespeare's death. Preaching an anti-war message in response to the current events of World War I, it was a smashing success, as it was seen by over two hundred thousand spectators and utilized 1500 amateur artisans and actors to bring its giant vision to life. Summary by Mary KayCast List:Narrator: Amelia ChesleyCaliban: Craig FranklinMiranda: Kieren MettsProspero: ToddHWAriel: Kristin GjerløwVoices from Below / Power of Setebos / All / The Dirge / The Soldiers: Tomas PeterVoices from Within / Spirits of Ariel / All / The Chorus: MaryAnnSycorax / Cleopatra / Juliet / War / The Voice / Mrs. Page: SoniaCressida / Charmian / Perdita / Lust / The Emperor / Mrs. Quickly / The Spirit of Time: Lian PangAntony / Troilus / Horatio / Benvolio / Adam / Sir John Falstaff: alanmapstonePandarus / Ghost of Caesar / Hamlet / Mercutio / Lorenzo / The Duke / Sir Hugh Evans / King Henry the Fifth: Larry WilsonAttendant / Brutus / Florizel / Marcellus / Romeo / Orlando / Pistol: Dafni MaEros / The Boy / Lucius / Death / Jacques / Mrs. Ford: Leanne Yau
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