Reimagining John Steinbeck ’ s novella for the stage
A COLLABORATIVE JOURNEY : THE PEARL
Reimagining John Steinbeck ’ s novella for the stage
Our production of The Pearl was an unforgettable experience . It was not just about the joy of performing – it was about the power of community and the empowerment of creating something that was truly our own .
We began with John Steinbeck ’ s novella , The Pearl , but our vision extended beyond it . We boldly intertwined the story with the chilling Mexican legend of La Llorona , the weeping woman . This added a layer of suspense and cultural exploration to the narrative . The play centred on Kino and Juana , a poor couple desperately trying to protect their son , Coyotito , from La Llorona ’ s clutches . We , the student cast , took turns manipulating a beautifully crafted puppet depicting La Llorona , handmade by our incredible production coordinator , Ms Grant . The puppet ’ s presence on stage added a captivatingly terrifying element to the performance .
The narrative unfolded around Kino ’ s discovery of a magnificent pearl , a symbol of both hope and destruction . The town ’ s envy , Juana ’ s fear , and Kino ’ s unwavering determination to secure their future with the pearl propelled them towards tragedy . Their journey to the city , fuelled by hope , ended in heartbreak , with Coyotito ’ s death .
This pivotal scene was marked by La Llorona ’ s final appearance , a haunting song sung by our talented cast members , and a palpable sense of loss .
Defeated and grieving , Kino and Juana returned to their village . In a powerful gesture of defiance against fate , Kino , understanding the destructive nature of the pearl , threw it back into the sea .
The collaborative spirit of the production was remarkable . We started writing the script in September , and from then on were constantly seeking and incorporating constructive criticism from our teachers and fellow cast members . Mr Hartley and Mrs Wessels , our directors , played a crucial role in shaping the vision and motivating the entire cast . We worked in small groups initially , blocking out scenes , and then came together to share ideas and refine our collective creation . This dynamic process allowed the play to evolve organically , teaching us valuable lessons about adaptation and teamwork .
Overall , it was the most beneficial and rewarding performance we think any of us has ever done .
Tiggy Norfolk-Thompson and Laura Jobke , Year 9
46 DRAMA REVIEW