I'm attempting to diversify my life a little bit by taking in some different things that I wouldn't normally do. Last weekend, I went to see "As You Like It" at BYU. The production was interesting, as it was a more modern rendition of it. They used the original Shakespearean verse, but the costumes were all modern and fairly contemporary. Yeah, you had the goth girl who shops religiously (or anti-religiously) at Hot Topic. You had the kid who loves his American Eagle(which is the new Abercrombie, but hasn't quite reached 'Buckle' status). And you have the girl who is overwhelmingly in love with the cute guy. This all seems pretty modern to me.
Anyway, during the play, a few of the guys took their shirts off and wrestled around because it went along with the story of the play, and judging by the last installment of the Twilight Saga, girls like that sort of thing. Also, the hot topic girl had a few (fake) piercings and a revealing wardrobe, but nothing I wouldn't see in a typical Herbal Essences commercial. And certainly nothing I'd see in a particular Superbowl half-time show. What I'm trying to say here is that the play was mild, even for people who hate spicing it up.
Luckily, we saw this play on the first night. Because what I discovered yesterday was a bit of a slam on the BYU community. Apparently, a few of the dedicated fan base of BYU theater wrote in and complained that the play was too 'suggestive, provocative, and surprisingly sexual." First of all, that description is something marketing companies strive for. I think I heard those exact words come from the LA times in response to the pilot episode of Ally McBeal. It's something that MOST theatre's strive for. And I'm not saying BYU should strive for the same reviews as Ally McBeal, or any other FOX sitcom (especially not Boston Public), but it isn't always a bad thing to PREFORM.
This type of censorship really puts a blemish on the allowance of art and literature at BYU. I don't experience this type of censorship in any of my classes. We read whatever is considered important to the development and innovation of literature. We memorize and consider the impact of artistic styles, paintings, and sculpture quite often. Then why, when BYU puts on a modern production of As You Like It, are the entertainers required to edit the material in order to make it more user-friendly for the old folks? I just don't get it, and I guess that whoever is in charge of this play wants to make money for the theatre dept, and the only way to ensure a fiscal return is to adapt the production to the culture who show the most financial promise. But still.
In my eyes, this play was nothing short of magnificent. It was engaging, funny, and the actors and actresses were believable. It was something of a new experience for me to REALLY enjoy the theatre. And from now on, you better believe I'll be attending opening night of any play I really wish to see. It's the only way to ensure I'll get the whole experience.
I believe censorship doesn't help anybody. Let's not take away from a fine play. Let the actors act,and the players play. And now, let the audience sit back and enjoy the artistic values that this play represents.