The Three Caskets
Raks Pallikoodam Feb 28, 2022
A tribute to the Bard of Avon by the learners of Grade 8 ICSE, Rak’s Pallikkoodam.
(Caption under the picture-Inspired by the Bard of Avon: Scenes from the original drama The Merchant of Venice performed by the learners of Grade 8 ICSE, Rak’s Pallikkoodam )
23rd February 2022, was a day that was long awaited, by the learners of Grade 8 as they showcased their talent of stage.
In order to sensitize the learners towards the themes of love, prejudice, greed, justice and mercy which remain just as relevant to today’s audiences as they were to theatre goers in the Elizabethan Age, the learners of Grade 8 ICSE, Rak’s Pallikkoodam were encouraged to showcase their theatrical potential through an enactment of a scene from the play The Merchant of Venice.
Summary of the scene enacted:-The play opened with the scene: When Prince of Arragon tries his luck at choosing the correct casket, and before he decides on one, he promises Portia that he will abide by her father’s rules. First, if he fails to choose the casket containing her portrait, he will never reveal which casket he chose; second, he promises never to court another woman; and last, he will leave Belmont immediately. Portia is dearly relieved and sums up the reason for the prince’s failure: A servant announces the arrival of a Venetian ambassador from another suitor and adds that he brings gifts.
The learners had decided to give the play a contemporary shade with their research to innovate the properties and costumes; which was the hallmark of the play. Characters wore novel attires instead of costumes of Shakespearen era. This alteration was to expose the learners for the actual play which is a prescribed text for ICSE students. Learners captured the essence of the play through their delivery of verbose- unabridged versions of the dialogues, to the best of their ability. Articulating memorized dialogues were initially challenging for the learners, as most of them were debutants.
Thanks to the collaboration of the learners of grade 8, who rehearsed, critiqued, introspected and reflected on theirs and the team members’ performances.
Learners of Grade 8 ICSE: Samritha, Subitcha, Mrithula, Adhira, Nihitha and Mukunth Ram as Portia, Nerissa, the servant, Prince Arragon and Prince Of Morooco, raced through the dialogues with an air of present day actors. The narrators Yuvanthara and Bharathi supported by Adhruth, Vinu and Guhan had done justice to their roles.