The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Red Bull Theater’s Sardanapalus & Global Watch Party Review
By Flora Mak
A high-minded night set aside for Byron
On the night of 28th Oct, 2024, the English department of the Chinese University of Hong Kong hosted the watch party of Lord Byron’s Sardanapalus as an in-house event. It attracted a small and enthusiastic audience included several Hong Kong Romantic scholars, mostly Keatsians (one of which, after viewing, pondered upon Byron’s characterisation of the effeminate Sardanapalus as further derision of the Endymion poet), and individuals who wanted to learn more about Lord Byron (including a secondary school student who likes Shelley!). In general, the audience was much impressed with the cast’s performance and amused by Byron’s adaptation of the history of the Assyrian King.
In the post-screening discussion, there were lively musings and sharing about the production style (as in how the lack of props helped the audience to focus on the verse speeches; while the lack of eye contact and enactment of actions among actors somewhat produced experiential incongruence); the cast and their delivery (there was common admiration over the actor who played Salamenes, for his military tone and line recitation; also, the metrical delivery in which Byron’s witty iambic pentameters flowed smoothly between the characters was marvellous); and observations related to theatrical conventions of ancient Greece and the Romantic period.
Needless to stress, there was heated discussion about the characterisation of Sardanapalus. He was contemplated as an antitype and a subversive hero, along with questioning over whether his indulgence was a guise, or his claim of nobility was an excuse for not meeting his duties as a ruler. The audience also tried to tease out the rich literary sources of the play, such as Richard II, and echoes to other Byronic works, along with these miscellaneous consensus: Sardanapalus showed little change of heart excerpt when reconciling with Zarina. Myrrha appeared to be more kingly and the gender transgression was remarkable in the historical play.
The night proved to be a gratifying one in which the local Romantic enthusiasts could share their passion with fellow audience over this rarely-performed gem of the historical era. On behalf of the CUHK English department, I express great thanks to Keats-Shelley Association of America, Keats-Shelley House, The Byron Society of America, and the Red Bull Theater, for creating the performance and sponsoring this meaningful viewing event!
