Desire, rejection, and revenge in Biblical times (Meaningless Magic)

Nov 8

2 min read

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Salomé Written by Oscar Wilde Adapted by Kimby Taylor-Peterson Directed by Rachel Allen and Kimby Taylor-Peterson

Review by Erin Hargan

Meaningless Magic is a new company on the Louisville arts scene that describes itself as a creative collective that includes theatrical productions, short films, and other artistic pursuits. This production of “Salome” by Oscar WIlde is their first live production, and the first time the play has been performed in Louisville. It offered audiences a dramatic take on a biblical story about desire, power, rejection, and prophecy. Set in an intimate space of a former church, this and the minimalist set amplified the drama of the story.

The play opens with the captain and his soldiers guarding Herod’s party and the cistern where Jokanaan (John the Baptist), the prophet imprisoned for criticizing Herod’s marriage to Salomé’s mother, Herodias, is held. The captain is infatuated with Salomé, but she rejects him, her attention instead fixated on Jokanaan. Clever and mesmerizing, Salomé uses the captain’s obsession to persuade him to bring Jokanaan out of the cistern—but the prophet refuses to speak or engage with her.

As the story unfolds, Salomé’s fascination with Jokanaan becomes entangled with her mother’s manipulations. Herodias pressures her to perform the Dance of the Seven Veils for Herod, who promises her half the kingdom in return. Consumed by jealousy and frustration over Jokanaan’s rejection, Salomé agrees—and in the play’s shocking climax, she demands his head.

In the play’s final, unforgettable scene, Ev Davis as Salome is commanding as she portrays the rage and fury from desire and jealousy as she demand’s Jokanaan’s head. This obsession concedes with her caressing and kissing his head, and Davis’s delivery of this scene was chilling. Sean Childress as Herod is captivating as he portrays the character’s arrogance, vulnerability, and naivety as he succumbs to Salome’s demands. Kimby Taylor-Peterson’s Herodias is cunning and intense, as she pushes her daughter to perform the Dance of the Seven Veils for Herod. The support cast complimented the leads with strong and engaging performances.

Meaningless Magic’s choice to stage Oscar Wilde’s Salomé as their premiere is a bold one, given how rarely the play is produced and that this marked its first-ever performance in Louisville. Based on this debut, Meaningless Magic is poised to continue growing from strength to strength.

Salomé Meaningless Magic November 6th-8th at 8 pm Woodbine Chamber at St Phillip Neri 236 Woodbine St

Louisville, KY 40208 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/salome-by-oscar-wilde-tickets-