Suzan-Lori Parks created a character that had the illusion of choice. She showed how Hero’s perception of having control of his destiny undid his relationships. The costumes of this production propelled this show into modern day and made commentary on how systemic racism may still be inhibiting the freedoms of African Americans. This play forces the audience to reconcile with the past sins, and then points out the ways society still discriminates against people of color. Many times throughout the show the protagonist, Hero is faced with pseudo-choice, or decisions where he could in theory deviate from the path he has chosen for himself but all of those choices lead to disastrous consequences. …show more content…
The Sons of Ulster Marching to the Somme told the story of men involved in World War One fighting on behalf of the British. In this play there was a distorted retelling of the events that led to the Easter Rising. Anderson, the storyteller, paints these rebels as so despicable that the mother of the insighter of the riot volunteered to pull the trigger at his execution. Throughout this story the Irish audience was exposed to the opposing point of view. Through this retelling they experienced the thwarted expectations of a nation’s support for these soldiers’ bravery, and their method for reconciling this hard blow. He depicts these soldiers coming together despite their radically different backgrounds to overcome the horrors they have witnessed while apart of the …show more content…
However, this production used it scenic design to highlight how feminine qualities within the context of the play was reason for discrimination. This can be connected to modern day culture where lesbian relationships are still underrepresented in media. The production basically used the set to acknowledge the missing demographic of the tale, this choice did not distract from the author’s intended message, rather it added an extra dimension.
The first thing the audience sees as they walk in is a home where all of the decorations are image of famous women. As the Act starts these images flicker so if one was not paying attention to their surroundings they become acutely aware at the women staring down upon the birthday party. Crowley created a cast of characters of gay men who embody the spectrum of personalities, however the only way the feminine perspective (homosexual or otherwise) is represented is through Bernard’s comment about how Emory, the most effeminate man is the one referred to being “at the bottom of the Totem pole.” In fact, he is the only one of the play that was physically assaulted. This shows that queer history mirrors heterosexual