Dark 'Skriker': not child's play

Tale features malicious fairies

Evil took center stage Tuesday with the opening night performance of "The Skriker." The play presents betrayal, malicious fairies and eternal damnation — the elements necessary for an anti-fairy tale.

"The Skriker" is the tale of a sinister, shape-shifting fairy aptly called The Skriker, played by junior Sara Tomko, who takes pleasure in harassing its human prey. The Skriker survives on a steady diet of mental and physical abuse inflicted upon its victims; it is hundreds of years old and has an assemblage of cronies to do its bidding.

The latest victims of The Skriker are sisters Lily (freshman Megan Tusing) and Josie (senior Leigh Diveris). Josie quickly is driven mad by The Skriker, but wishes the fairy's evil be inflicted upon her younger sister because she no longer can bear it. From this point on, Lily must endure The Skriker's wicked trickery. The Skriker changes appearances in order to dupe Lily and gain her trust, as well as more precious belongings.

Tomko gives an amazing performance as the lead role in the play. The Skriker is a multifaceted, intense role that requires a highly skilled actor. Tomko said the role of The Skriker was a little difficult to get into, and said that she "had to get into the movements and the lines" in order to capture the essence of the character. Director Ariella Bowden, a senior, was very pleased with Tomko's performance. "No one but [Tomko] could have played this role," Bowden said.

Bowden said when she decided to direct a play, "The Skriker," written by Caryl Churchill, was her first choice. She chose to do this particular Churchill play because "it is not done as often as a lot of [her] others," she said. "'The Skriker' is conducive to the space of [Theatre II], and could be done without compromising."

The set and costumes were essential in creating the mood of the dramatic piece. Newspapers covered in purple paint were hung around the room, which gave the audience the feeling that they were participants in the play. Bowden said the newspapers symbolized the world of adult literature, which includes non-fiction and factual publications, such as newspapers. This was contrasted by the illustrations on the stage floor, which were verses from children's literature, representing a child's reality, which is more whimsical and imaginative than an adult's realm. Through the artistry of the set, these two worlds collide to create the surreal realm inhabited by both fairy and humankind alike.

Choreography was essential to the mood of "The Skriker." All the characters performed in constant movement. This was most obvious in the character of the passerby (freshman Brynn Dorsey), who danced throughout the entire performance, moving to different areas of the room in each scenes.

"The set and the costumes set the mood and tone of the play," sophomore Jennie Reed said. "[Tomko] was a little intimidating as The Skriker. I was very impressed by her performance."

"The Skriker" will run at Theatre II until Feb. 21 with shows starting at 8 p.m. and an encore performance at midnight Friday. Tickets are $3 and can be purchased at the door.