#something something faustus and martin luther and hamlet

[straightplayshowdown]

Wittenberg: It's October 1517 in Germany. The beginning of another fall semester at the University of Wittenberg finds members of the faculty and student body at personal and professional crossroads. Hamlet is returning from a summer in Poland spent studying astronomy, where he has come in contact with a revolutionary scientific theory that threatens the very order of the universe, resulting in psychic trauma and a crisis of faith for him. His teacher and mentor John Faustus (professor, philosophy) has decided at long last to make an honest woman of his paramour, Helen, a former nun. Hamlet’s instructor and priest, Martin Luther (professor, theology), is dealing with the spiritual and medical consequences of his long-simmering outrage at certain abusive practices of the Church—the same Church to which he has sworn undying obedience.

The Blender: Stanley is the host of the reality tv show, The Blender. Stanley and his assistants, the Snatchers, bring in specimens—people at points of high drama. Stanley's purpose: blend ‘em! What would happen, if you took a pregnant woman going through premature labor and stuck her with someone about to commit suicide? For Stanley, and presumably for all of America, the only issue is entertainment. Human suffering and conflict? The more the better, as long as it doesn't get boring. Trouble ensues when one of Stanley's snatchers falls in love with his specimen and doesn't want her to be subjected to The Blender. By the end, the only laughter and cheering will come from the taped audience.

Propaganda under the cut!

Wittenberg:

"Set in late 1517, this smart, sprightly and audacious comedy centres on a fictitious meeting between university colleagues Dr. Faustus (a man of appetites), Martin Luther (a man of faith), and their student Hamlet (a young Prince struggling not only with his beliefs but also with his tennis game)." - why did nobody think to try that before?

The Blender:

THE MOST FUCKED UP SHOW I'VE EVER SEEN. its a commentary on reality tv & the horrors of capitalism. people cheer as the "specimens" are forced to fight. its so sad. i saw it at the state level of a high school theatre competition. it was the last event of the day, so the auditorium was packed full of people who wanted something to do until awards. we laughed and cheered for a while. until we didn't. and the only cheering was from the tracks. i don’t think i will ever forget that experience