We all know teenagers can be cruel to each other. Self doubt, the need for group acceptance, the desire to be popular, to lead or quietly blend into the background, all play a role in the maturing process on the road to self-awareness.

In William Golding’s classic 1954 tale of human nature and the lust for power and control, Lord of the Flies, a group of British school boys become stranded on a deserted island, with no adults to help or manage them. 

In the book, the reason the boys, most from different London prep schools were all on the same boat that sank, was that the boys were being moved to safety, from the bombings in England during WW-II.

On the island, they have food and water. So all they need to do is to survive and calmly manage themselves until hopefully rescued.  At first, the group works together effectively, foraging for food and water, maintaining a fire, electing a leader and erecting shelters.

Yet simply living peacefully is not in the boy’s cards. Using the promise of hunting wild pigs, dancing and having fun versus being responsible. one boy fractures the group, forming a clique of his own. Some of the aggression charged boys quickly disintegrate the group and form a wild pig hunting party.

As the student’s uniforms are traded for spears and war paint, the innocent boys devolve into uncontrolled, bloodthirsty hunters and ultimately, savages intent on killing the “beast”.

In the newest adaptation of Lord of the Flies at the Roundhouse Theatre in Bethesda, MD, the time is today or some time in the near future and it’s a plane crash that left the boys stranded.

The violent story, calm by today’s slasher-style standards, integrates modern rhythmic dance and loud, high-energy music from current bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park, Nine Inch Nails and Beastie Boys, to express the boys’ transformation from generally good adolescents to savages, intent on dominating each other. The fight scenes use a unique but effective combination of choreographed dance interlaced with slow-motion actions.

The characters include the elected leader who attempts to keep the group civil and united, the somewhat anal and ever-questioning nerdy kid (Piggy), the dark and misunderstood loner, several excitable followers looking to belong and for acceptance, and the self-imposed leader who splinters the group, and show how Darwin’s survival of the fittest can quickly take root.  The brutal and now totalitarian boys are eventually rescued…but only after the unspeakable happens. 

The skilled ensemble of mostly local young men in the late teens or early twenties (plus a 7th grader), play their parts believably and with the aggressive approach of testosterone-driven good boys gone “native”.  The stage set is minimal and props limited, leaving the audience to use its imagination of what we might become…if left to our own devices.

The original book, surprisingly sold only three thousand copies in it’s first couple years after publication.  But by the 1960s it became a best seller and required reading in many school curriculums.  Time magazine listed the book as one of the 100 best English language novels (1923-2005).

This was my first visit to the Round House Theater. It’s a comfortable, intimate venue with seating that puts you close to the actors.  The convenient location, just a couple minute drive from Bethesda’s Woodmont Ave. restaurant row, makes it simple and stress-free for grabbing a bite or as I did, a couple appetizers and a glass of wine before the performance.  The low-cost attached parking makes it even easier.

Lord of the Flies
Round House Theatre
4545 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814 (map it)

Dates and Times – Wednesdays – Sundays, through April 27, 2008

Tickets – $50.00 – $60.00 and are available online.  This play is not recommended for children under 12.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Bethesda Red line, then a 1-block walk.

Parking – Paid parking ($4.00) in the attended underground across the street from the theatre. Entrance on Waverly St.

Images – Flickr – Island, pigs, book cover, theater – from personal collection – © 2008 – Jon Rochetti production photos – courtesy of Round House Theatre – group – Abe Cruz (as Henry), Kyle Schliefer (as Eric), Michael Grew (as Sam), Alexander Strain (as Ralph), Ryan Nealy (as Bill), and Evan Casey (as Jack) in Round House Theatre’s production of Lord of the Flies. Photo by Danisha Crosby, two savages – Evan Casey (as Jack) and Abe Cruz (as Henry) in Round House Theatre’s production of Lord of the Flies. Photo by Danisha Crosby

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Post from: The DC Traveler