Pacific Index

Galatea achieves an entertaining and enjoyable weekend at the theater  

   The laughter of the crowd boomed throughout the Friday night performance of Galatea or, Whatever You Be. Whether it was the introduction of Cupid through Prince’s hit song “Kiss,” the awkward moments between the main characters Galatea and Phyllida, or the spontaneous arrivals of the god Neptune complete with aviators and painted abs, this play had amazing reception by the audience. 

   A modern adaptation of John Lyly’s Galatea, which dates back to 1588, this version maintains the major plot points of a village which must sacrifice their most beautiful virgin to Neptune or face his wrath. Two fathers, Titerys and Melebeus, disguise their beautiful daughters Galatea and Phyllida as boys to spare them from this dark fate. They then send their daughters into the woods to hide until the sacrificial festival is over, causing them to meet and find an instant attraction to each other. 

   New aspects are incorporated such as a club-like dance scene between the leading figures in the forest, a budding romance between their fathers, and the entertaining nature of Neptune. Neptune was played by senior Kat Lewis who doubled as Cupid, and delivered hilarious performances on both ends. Whether dressed in a sparkly red suit and flirting with forest nymphs as Cupid or showing off painted abs and arrogantly saying, “Nobody beats the ocean” as Neptune, Lewis brought eruptive laughter out of the audience. 

   Other actors pulled double duty in this play as well, like senior Joey Barrett as Diana and the augur, the divine interpreter for the village. In one of many humorous moments, Barrett appeared as Diana but paused for a moment on stage to switch to being the augur. This provided an entertaining contrast between the powerful, confident nature of Diana and the timid, concerned character of the augur. 

   Comedy aside, Galatea also creates a valuable commentary on identity and love. Rachel Kaufman and MJ Beaumont were co-leads as Galatea and Phyllida, and their characters each initially meet early in the play outside of their houses. They experience an instant connection, but it is when they meet again in the woods under the disguises of boys that they are able to build on that connection. 

   Unaware who the other is and hidden away from the restrictions of their village, the two dance and fall in love as they spend the night together. Throughout their time in the forest, they fight concerns over their disguises and their growing feelings for each other. While they initially reason that their love is acceptable by village standards because they’re girls under the impression they’re falling for a boy, eventually the truth is revealed when the village is sacrificing an alternate beautiful virgin. 

   In spite of this, Galatea and Phyllida cannot deny their love for each other and when Venus, played by senior Madison Stevens, appears at the end, she makes a deal with them. As the goddess of love, Venus offers to marry them under the condition that one is turned into a man for good at the wedding. However, it’s in a heartfelt moment right before the wedding that they decide against this when they realize they don’t want to compromise for their love. 

   The play ends with Galatea and Phyllida embracing their love and running back to the forest, leaving the wedding and the restrictions of the village behind. Free to love each other however they see fit, the girls are finally and fully themselves in a joyful conclusion to a play which is a sweet love story at its core.