The Bakersfield College workshop, “Love’s Duality,” headed by BC theater professor Randy Messick, explored love and what love is through the fantasy world of Jean Giraudoux’s play, “Ondine.”
“Ondine” is brought to life through the set designs of Jarred Clowes and the costumes of Kat Brinkley.
“Love’s Duality” shows how love changes things and people, according to Messick, the director of “Ondine.”
The love between the characters Hans and Ondine is an example of unconditional love.
Ondine is an “elemental” spirit; she is not of this world and is immortal.
Hans is a mere mortal betrothed to the princess Bertha. During his test to prove his love for Bertha, Hans encounters Ondine in the forest. They fall in a love at first sight, but their love can never truly be.
Ondine, who loves Hans unconditionally, makes a deal with the Old One of the Sea to be with Hans. The only stipulation is that if he cheats on her, then Hans will die, and Ondine will forget everything about him and that he even existed.
Through a play on colors and background settings, the production came alive.
The costumes that Brinkley designed were made to help the audience associate bodies of water with Ondine. For Hans, brown and green colors were used to connect him with the earth, according to Messick.
The costumes and sets blended together with the actors, which created a mystical atmosphere, Messick said.
Clowes uses a sea foam effect and earthly fabrics in the background on one of the sets to express vertical lines and space.
Messick said that life can be painful, and theater is used as a way to relieve stress. He debated that tragedy plays a major part in humanity. He wants the audience to experience the production rather than to watch it.