The Forty Minute Faustus

An adaptation of the work by Christopher Marlowe.

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Performed March & April 2002 at the Stiwt Theatre, Rhosllanerchrugog

Entered into the CCTA one act play festival

Won Most Outstanding Entry

Won Best Individual Performance - Frank Pipkin as Dr Faustus

CCTA

Clwyd Community Theatre Association

Cymdeithas Theatr Gymunedol Clwyd 

'40 Minute Faustus' by Christopher Marlowe

Performed by Mikrokosmos on 12 April 2002

Directed by Robert Fox

 This was a magnificent production.  The curtains opened to reveal lattice-like fences around three sides of the stage; then, accompanied by thrilling sound, the entry of members of the cast bearing lanterns, the seizure of Dr. Faustus and, so we surmised, something unspeakably horrible being done to him as he faced away from the audience.

This scene was repeated at the end, when we saw that Faustus’ heart was ripped from his body and held aloft.

The doctor (Frank Pipkin) was clad in a white shirt and could conceivably have belonged to any era, but the majority of the large cast were in modern dress - so that Mephistophilis (Tim Wilcox) was a swaggering gangster in purple shirt and tie, the brim of his hat turned down, and thoroughly menacing and effective.  There was no feeling of incongruity when he uttered the famous lines: “Why this is hell, And where hell is, there must we ever be.”

Throughout the performance, the use of sound (composed and performed by Bob Fox) and light was simply terrific, and there were a number of inspired touches - such as the good angels and the bad angels peering through the latticework and calling out conflicting advice to Faustus.  The voices of the good angels made a wailing, despairing sound, urging him to save his soul, while the bad angels charged him to do no such thing.  We were made aware that it is never too late to find salvation - this was the message of the good angels, and Faustus himself knew it:

“See, see where Christ’s blood streams in the firmament; One drop would save my soul ….”

I also liked the way Helen of Troy was presented: a young woman with long flowing hair and a willowy figure, standing with her back to the audience until it was time to turn and reveal her face to Faustus - another shock and disillusion for him on his journey to damnation.

Another feature, mentioned by the adjudicator, was the use of handsomely-bound books, which lent such an authentic feel to the production.  So much thought had gone into every aspect, in fact, that we could not but feel that we were watching something special.  One well-known bookseller, who sits in the front row at every performance, amateur or professional, remarked afterwards that he felt from the first moment that “we had arrived.”

Indeed we had.  Up till then, the festival had been a disappointment, with mediocre plays and performances.  But at times, watching this, I was reminded of the professional production of “The Devils” at Theatr Clwyd some years ago.

If I may sound one negative note (also mentioned by the adjudicator, Marie O’Sullivan) - David Green, a hugely promising young actor, is surely too young to play the Pope?

 Frank Pipkin was given the best actor award at the end of the festival, for his portrayal of Dr. Faustus, and I would have to say that it was fully deserved.

Ieuan Watkins

Ieuan has written a number of stage plays and, most recently, 'Written in Mist' - a psychological thriller - which he co-wrote for BBC Radio 4, and was transmitted on March 8th.

This page last updated 27 July 2006