The Oakdale High School Theater Program is excited to present its 2024 Spring Show, Lord of the Flies. Based on the iconic novel written by William Golding and adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams, this production is the program’s first full length drama in years.
When an airplane crashes on a deserted island, leaving its passengers of British school children stranded and alone, they must work together to survive in the wild. Along with growing hopelessness and a fear of a “Beast” on the island with them, a harrowing transformation towards savagery slowly destroys any sense of civility among them over the course of a 90-minute dramatic performance.
Lezlie Acker, teacher and director of the OHS Theatre Arts program and Lord of the Flies, recollects one of the challenges of casting the play.
“I once heard an interview where William Golding, author of Lord of the Flies, said that he wrote the story about young boys, specifically, because he could never imagine that girls would behave the same way that the boys in this story do,” Acker stated. “In modern society, girls and boys alike, are just as complex as the original characters in Lord of the Flies, and more accurately mirror how students of all genders might behave when faced with the same circumstances.”
Among the other themes of savagery vs. civilized society and good vs. evil, this is also a story about the loss of innocence, which is something that everyone goes through during adolescence. As a result, our version of this classic tale uses gender blind casting, meaning that gender should have no bearing on how the story is told. It is a new take on a classic tale, and one that today’s students likely can identify with more accurately.
“This is a classic novel that sophomore students at OHS have read since as far back as when I attended OHS, and we are excited to bring it to life on our stage,” Acker shared.
Oakdale High’s Drama Club will present the play during one weekend only; their rendition of Lord of the Flies features shows on Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 27 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 28 at 2 p.m.
On-line tickets can be purchased for $12 at ShowTix4U’s website and “Oakdale High School” in the search bar. A video trailer for the show can be viewed on YouTube at the “Oakdale Theatre Arts 209” page.
Article contributed by Tenzing Rangel
