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Product Description
Wienerworld has teamed up with Stage on Screen to release a brand new series of classic plays aimed at the student, teacher, lecturer and theatre lover alike. Each production is highly polished, using professional actors and directors at London s award-winning Greenwich theatre, which specialises in productions for young people. Filmed in crystal clear High Definition, these DVDs have been designed to deliver the look and feel of a live performance, to be watched and enjoyed again and again. Theatre on DVD - the new way to enjoy stage plays and bring set texts to life! The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, to give it its full title, is a play by Christopher Marlowe. It was first published in 1604, at least twelve years after its first performance, although the basic tale is much older. Having decided he has accumulated all he can of conventional knowledge, Doctor Faustus turns to magic in a quest for greater truths. Before long, he ends up selling his soul to the devil the famous ''Faustian pact'' that s entered the language. Dr Faustus gradually realises his terrible mistake. He apparently repents, but finally dies, the devil coming to collect his soul, and his friends the dismembered body.
Product Description
Stage on Screen presents a Greenwich Theatre production of Dr Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. Using the unabridged A text version of the play, this lucid, stylish and energetic production captures perfectly both the horror and dark humour of Marlowe's tragic work.
"Atmospheric... diabolically convincing...flashes of fiery poetry...directed with laudable clarity" Time Out.
THE STAGE REVIEW
I've never been very happy about films of plays shot in theatres during live performances because they are usually too static to make the best use of film and the sound is rarely satisfactory. Stage on Screen's DVD of Greenwich Theatre's November 2009 production of Doctor Faustus, however, confounded all my negative expectations because it is extremely watchable and really does give you the best of both worlds - the advantage of close-up shots and the sense of being at a live performance.
Gareth Kennerley is magnificent in the huge role of Doctor Faustus, taking the character adeptly from casual, confident academic to the depths of manic despair. I loved Beatrice Curnew's gravelly, unequivocal delivery of the Chorus part and Tim Treloar gets the balance between disingenuous humour and ruthlessness just right in Mephistopheles. Guy Burgess is good value as Wagner and some of the ensemble work in depicting all those sins is very fine. The climax is compelling - even on a small screen. It was, evidently, impeccably directed by Elizabeth Freestone and imaginatively filmed by outside broadcaster Chris Cowey.
And I need not have worried about the sound. It is well balanced and fully audible. Optional full-text subtitles (including simple stage directions such as 'Faustus shrieks') will help anyone new to the play as well as deaf and hard of hearing viewers.
Susan Elkin, Education Editor
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is from the October 2009 run of Faustus, filmed live at Greenwich Theatre in London. It was directed by Elizabeth Freestone, filmed by Chris Cowey and starred Gareth Kennerley as Faustus. The filming is utterly superb - almost cinematic in the detail, lighting and sound. It's certainly no shaky job with dodgy sound, which is what I had feared. In fact, I'd imagine that this DVD captures Faustus's expressions and gestures even better than a front row ticket. The camera is fixed and so you watch the performance from the view of a single seat. It's beautifully staged and well acted. By releasing DVDS of their productions (there are others in the series), Greenwich Theatre have had brilliant idea which helps bring top notch theatre to those unable to see the production in person.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I cannot express in words how powerful this production is. It takes Marlowe's A text and brings it to life. It is engaging, exciting, and displays emotions fantastically. A particular scene towards the end actually brought a tear to my eye, which is abnormal for me. The acting is great, namely Gareth Kennerly as Faustus and Tim Treloar as Mephistopheles, who projects gripping hatred, cold contempt, and even sympathy, with great talent (I know nothing about acting, but the talent within the cast is apparent here). It has a tremendous contrast of atmospheres too, for instance there are moments of comic relief and others of horror and tragedy. On top of this, it is shot clearly. I could argue that watching the play on your television is equally as effective as seeing the real thing.
An incredible performance, completely worthy of your time. I have watched it twice and can guarantee that I will watch it again.
An incredible performance, completely worthy of your time. I have watched it twice and can guarantee that I will watch it again.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I am studying with Open University and one of the sections was on Dr. Faustus. I found this DVD invaluavle for giving me information and a better idea and understanding of this 16th Century piece of literature. Highly recommend for anyone studying Christopher Marlow.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dr Faustus on stage
A really useful dvd of the Greenwich Theatre series of staged plays in the GCE curriculum. In combination with the text a big help to students and important for them to see the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Litcrit.
Theatre
I really enjoyed watching this. Since studying it last year, I had always wanted to see it. It did not disappoint. It was just like being at the theatre. Read more
Published 2 months ago by The Reader
Useful Study Aid
This is a filmed theatrical production in front of a live audience. Whilst the filming is very good, the acting is not always of the highest quality, and the actors are all... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Phil Symes
Marlowe's Faustus
I enjoyed the play, with one reservation. As you will know, a requirement of acting on the boards is that you project your voice so that you may be heard at the back of the... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. Michael Thomas
Marlowe's masterpiece
This is a film made of a recent live performance in a small theatre somewhere in England
AND IT IS WONDERFUL!! Read more
AND IT IS WONDERFUL!! Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. David Titley
A devilish delight!
I had written a longish review of the production, but I've deleted that. No need for waffle, all that needs to be said is - it's brilliant - buy it!!
Published 19 months ago by M. Blackwood
Excellent DVD version of this classic stage play
First class production of the play and really brings the theatre performance and original script to life - I enjoyed this DVD immensely.
Published on 25 Feb 2010 by Ms. Kay Tromans
A fantastic DVD
What a brilliant resource. It's hard to find well produced, modern versions of Doctor Faustus on DVD.
Published on 31 Jan 2010 by JXN88
This Doctor Faustus DVD is devilishly good!
This is an excellent DVD version of Dr Faustus. It's faithful to the script and the filming is just right. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by MR PETER H WISE
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