University of Chile
Red Bull Theater’s Sardanapalus & Global Watch Party Review
By Pablo San Martín-Varela, Bernardo Guzmán, Javiera Markic, Josefa Barrera, Ayelén Serey, Tomás Aguilar, Luciano Segura, Isidora Soto, and Denisse Caro
On Wednesday, 30 October, a couple of dozen enthusiasts and students of English literature gathered in the Lucía Invernizzi Hall at the University of Chile to watch and discuss Red Bull Theatre’s performance of Sardanapalus. The audience was thoroughly engaged by the actors’ interpretation, with sudden bouts of laughter resounding through the hall multiple times. Two favorite lines were “Farewell! / He’s gone” (1.2.385) by Sardanapalus (Amir Arison) and “Why I love this man?” (1.2.641) by Myrrha (Shayvawn Webster). Unfortunately, we had to leave earlier and missed the ending. Below you will find the impressions of some attendees.
“I felt very nervous near the end of the first act, as the palace came under attack and Sardanapalus prepared for battle. I thought he was about to face his demise, but, instead, he managed to rally his troops following Salamenes’ advice. I didn’t expect this sudden change in attitude and behavior. The play was very fun to watch, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to experience literature in this way.”
Bernardo Guzmán
“The actors’ portrayal of the characters made watching the play a thrilling experience. They effectively highlighted its comic aspects, even as the plot took a somber turn. I think it was an excellent choice to emphasize the absurdity of the king’s behavior, as it helped us see him as an eccentric who drifted through life with little concern for the problems of his people. I really enjoyed engaging with the literature of the period in this way, which felt more like a social experience compared to reading alone at home.”
Javiera Markic
“This interpretation of Sardanapalus was completely different from anything I’d seen before. The cast’s ability to convey the emotions of their characters without moving across the stage or relying on large gestures—using only their voices, facial expressions, and subtle body language—was impressive. We’re used to seeing elaborate paraphernalia on stage and tend to believe that these elements are what makes a play enjoyable, but this interpretation placed the script and the actors’ voices at the center, showing that none of that is truly necessary. This approach made the performance feel more intimate, as if you had walked into the middle of a rehearsal.”
Josefa Barrera
“As someone who loves seeing texts enacted, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to watch Sardanapalus. It was refreshing to hear Byron’s characters come to life. I adored how immersed the actors were in their roles and how dynamic their performances turned out to be. I didn’t have the chance to read the play beforehand, but had no trouble following along and shared plenty of laughs. I had a great time watching the play and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dramatic interpretations.”
Ayelén Serey
“I really liked the interpretation of the characters. The actors adapted their tone to reflect the social status of their roles and were also very expressive. Changes in mood were conveyed almost exclusively through their voices and facial expressions. They also played the funny bits very well, emphasizing the humorous moments. It would have been great if they had chosen to wear period costumes. Sardanapalus’ white attire conveyed a regal air, but the casual street clothing worn by the rest of the cast felt a bit jarring for me.”
Tomás Aguilar
“I loved the passion the performers brought to the play, especially through their intonation. If I had to choose, my favorite characters would be Salemenes and Sardanapalus himself. The contrast between their attitudes and views was superbly interpreted by the actors. I also enjoyed the use they made of some objects, like the chalice brought to Sardanapalus while he was speaking of Bacchus. It may seem like a minor detail, but it infused life into the scene that it otherwise wouldn’t have had. I’m grateful to have seen this performance, even if only in part.”
Luciano Segura
“My favorite part of the play was the plot twist right before the intermission, when Sardanapalus sends a message to his lover, urging her to flee to save her life, but she refuses and decides to stay in the castle, ready to die. That was such an empowering move on her part! It somehow reminded me of Romeo and Juliet, since Myrrha was willing to risk everything to stand by her values—except it turned out that Sardanapalus wasn’t even dead! The dramatic tension created by this was astounding.”
Isidora Soto
“At first, I thought the absence of costumes and props might make it harder to follow the play, but the actors’ delivery was so strong that I quickly forgot about it. If anything, the minimalist staging allowed us to better appreciate the text and vocal performances. The story itself was highly entertaining, and the fact that it depicts the fall of one of the world’s first empires made it even more compelling. The characters were all very charming, thanks largely to the actors’ portrayals, and I couldn’t decide who to root for. I’m glad I had the chance to see this play, and I look forward to participating in more theater viewings in the future.”
Denisse Caro
