Holly Poe Durbin

The Sketchbook Project – Gounod’s opera Faust

PoMo2k — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:46:17 +0000

I am participating in the Art House Co-op/ Brooklyn Art Library Project that will tour the country in 2012. I’ve chosen to explore the potential inside each one of us to become a villain or a hero, using the classic Faustian bargain with Mephistopheles.

: Collage for the Sketchbook Project

Gounod’s Faust #1

PoMo2k — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:44:09 +0000

This sketchbook version will use as a contemporary struggle to illustrate the classic Faustian Bargain–the cycle of addiction or compulsions to do things we know are self destructive. I was inspired by what I consider our latest public example– the tragic relationship between Michael Jackson and his doctor, Conrad Murray.

In this spirit, I’ve designed Mephistopheles to represent Faust’s own internal destruction– the alluring manifestation of self-destructive desires. Each time Mephistopheles appears, his appearance will shift to reflect Faust’s descent into monstrosity.

In this imaginary production, Faust is a cosmetic surgeon addicted to methamphetamine, treating wealthy clients who want the appearance of eternal youth. As the opera opens, my Dr Faust will have killed a patient due to his addled judgement. He contemplates suicide, and in his desperation conjures his demon to appear.

The first time we see Mephistopheles, he embodies the things Faust has been trying to achieve through his surgery practice– youth, confidence and alluring power over others.

My coming is propitious, I can gratify your wishes.

Faust Transforms

PoMo2k — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:42:38 +0000

There is always an awkward moment in the opera as Faust changes from old age to youth. Since he is a plastic surgeon, I see his “old” face as a falsely ageless one– we have developed our own Mephistophelean fountain of youth. To transform him in the spirit of this opera, I would bring on Hollywood Stylists who change his appearance in shadow. This keeps the action continuous in a way that serves the story. Mephisto, of course, has better powers and Faust is truly transformed.

Faust, Mephtisto and Margeurite meet at a club

Mephistopheles takes Faust to a club, where they will party like rock stars!

Mephistopheles #3

PoMo2k — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:41:24 +0000

Mephistopheles #4

PoMo2k — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:38:18 +0000

Each time Mephistopheles appears, he is more extreme, please scroll down to version #1 to follow his progress. In Act 2, Sc 3 Mephistopheles eggs Faust into killing Valentine, Marguerite’s brother. Marguerite is pregnant, and ruined by Faust.

: Here lies our hero beaten and mortally wounded!

Mephistopheles #5

PoMo2k — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:11:27 +0000

As soon as I command it, the darkness will change to splendor!

In Act 4 Sc 1, Mephistopheles takes Faust to Walpurgisnacht, a May Day type celebration of witches and sorcerers. This event reveals exactly what Mephistopheles is, and also makes it very clear to Faust what his eternal future will be like. I envision Mephistopheles rising on a lift to larger than life size; his costume blends into the scenery so that he resembles a gnarled tree with roots made of fire.

Mephistopheles #6

PoMo2k — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:05:23 +0000

Come, perhaps we still have time to save you!

The final scene poses several large story problems: one is a post-climactic appearance for Mephistopheles. Faust visits Marguerite in prison, where she is about to be executed. The focus of this act –and the music– is the two lovers as Faust tries to persuade Marguerite to escape with them, damning her to eternal slavery.

I’ve designed a leather coat with an extremely long, billowing train so that Mephistopheles can still show menace through grand scale- as he paces back and forth the train acts like a dancer of sorts billowing and turning, echoing the necessity to escape. The full facial tattoos and red clawed gloves are still visible to remind us what Mephistopheles really looks like, yet the audience does not have to look at the grand Walpurgis costume which would be a distraction in this scene.

Magical Robes

PoMo2k — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:03:47 +0000

A recent project fell through, as happens sometimes. But before it did, I had the opportunity to design magic robes that change color in seconds when the performers walk through a quick change booth. The inspiration for this design was the masterful use of contiguous color in Ghirlandaio’s Annunciation to Zachariah.

Magical Robe

Robes change colors onstage

Annunciation to Zacharia

How to Get to Candybar

PoMo2k — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:15:08 +0000

This short film tells the comical story of three children who want to get to the beach in Zanzibar. When they meet Stew, a crusty airport security guard, we learn the power of the imagination. Candybar just wrapped filming and is in post. Look for a screening soon! Director: Matt August Authors: Matt August and Sean Crouch.

Brooke Boyd as Amy

Three Days of Rain at South Coast Repertory Theater

PoMo2k — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:53:46 +0000

Kevin Rahm as Walker and Susannah Schulman as Nan

Kevin Rahm as Ned and Brendan Hines as Pip