CULTURE
The Intergalactic
Space Chronicle
Aliens Performing Shakespeare on Mars
By M.B. Alexander
“Does an alien by any other name change its fragrance?” I don't really know if they have audio/smell correlation in their biological making. But I can, without a doubt, tell you that Shakespeare done by aliens is a whole other quintessential experience.
Just imagine “To be or not to be” spouted from an electrical orb of light towards a height-challenged green-skinned extraterrestrial. To be or not to be what? I don't mean to be insensitive. But when you're a ball of light that doesn't consume food, a being who can transfer abstract telepathic thoughts to other species, what does “being” even mean to you?
But it’s really only shocking the first few times you see a pure form of electricity contemplating its existence. Now, when a tall grey alien acts out scenes from Hamlet opposite his tall white alien ghost father, that’s when the experimental theater aspect of the production kicks in. After all, wouldn’t his dad be a grey tall alien as well? It seems that in this interpretation of the play Hamlet was either adopted or abducted. There are so many profound undertones and social awareness at play here.
But where these extraterrestrial Shakespearian actors really shined was "Mid-summer's Night" and "Romeo & Juliet". When I saw two goblin-like aliens perform the famous balcony scene in the Martian Theater Hall, I thought surely this was it: the moment where my mind finally explodes from this galactic artistry. Something happened inside me when I saw Mercutio (Romeo’s cousin) green goblin “Eeflack” fall to his knees as he shouted out the famous quote “A plague on both your houses.” His performance was so raw, especially with all the green slime gushing out of his chest. I didn’t know they could just do that on demand. That is some serious method acting.
Suddenly watching these aliens echo Shakespeare’s words took on the same form it always had in the past, whether it was two humans, androids, half-humans, or Cyborgs. It is the language of love tiptoeing between riddled sentences and the complexity of existing in any physical form. Hooray to Alien Shakespeare!!