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1993greenwich

'This Doctor Faustus was set in a squalid student bedsit with paper peeling off the walls. Faustus himself was very much the young student, and his decision to sell out his soul to the devil was made in a rush of rash enthusiasm -- and his standard response to Mephistophilis' services was giggling wonderment, almost childish delight.

Mephistophilis by contrast was stern, austere, and occasionally violent. In the final moments of the play, when Faustus rushed into the arms of Mephistophilis for comfort, he was held in a reassuring embrace for a few moments but then dropped to the floor, lifeless.

Most of the characters were dressed in black and appeared poverty-stricken -- exceptions included Mephistophilis, who was in smart clothes, appearing almost like a city gent or banker, and Lucifer who was initially dressed as Christ, complete with crown of thorns and radiant yellow halo.

Inventive entrances and exist were used for devils and spirits to create surprise effects [...] The production had energy, inventiveness and clearness of vision.'

 

Elizabeth Schafer, RORD 33 (1994), 130