Tristan & Yseult
at La Habra
Reviewed on March 9, 2018
| Name | School | Publication/Broadcasts |
Tyler Munro | Tesoro | Orange County Register |
Tyler Munro | Tesoro | Orange County Register |
Katie Alexander | Tesoro | OC Cappies Facebook |
Katie Alexander | Tesoro | OC Cappies Facebook |
Danielle Kelly | Laguna Hills | OC Cappies Facebook |
Danielle Kelly | Laguna Hills | OC Cappies Facebook |
Tyler Munro
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register
Boundless Passion with La Habra's "Tristan and Yseult"
written by Tyler Munro, a senior at Tesoro High School
A wounded man lies unconscious, a look of immense pain plastered on his face as a young woman tends to him, tenderly nursing him with a sense of care and longing. This is the image of La Habra High School's "Tristan and Yseult", a Medieval myth which explore the complexities of love and passion, and the pain of heartbreak and loneliness.
Justine Sombilon's expressive performance as Yseult is a balancing act between her character's sense of self, and the overpowering effects of passion. Her first contact with Tristan, Gabriel Liron, goes from delicate nurturing, to furious violence as she learns he is responsible for the death of her brother. Liron's Tristan is motivated by passion in everything he does. Whether it be formal dance or helpless pain, an intensity sits always in Liron's eyes, a sense of urgency in his swift movement. Yseult's relationship with Tristan is intimate, Sombilon and Liron's eyes permanently locked, constantly reaching for one another, desiring closeness.
Hannah Rhode's portrayal of Whitehands exhibits mystery and pain. Her restrained, dry delivery is at once hilarious and intriguing, inviting a desire to discover what sits behind her composed disposition. When Rhode let's her guard down, revealing her character as Tristan's wife, this wish is easily fulfilled. Her once cold persona gives way to a desperate feeling of heart-break, wrath mixing with sorrow on her emotive face.
Zach Fogel astounds with his portrayal of Yseult's maid Bragian, displaying an impressive range with his nuanced performance. He first arouses great laughter, working frantically to separate Tristan and Yseult from embracing, nearly falling into hysterics with an ever-shriller voice. And with a surprising juxtaposition, after Bragian has taken Yseult's place on her wedding night, offers a stunning monologue.
Set design, by the LHHS Theatre Guild Set Team, elegantly serves both thematic and pragmatic needs for the show. While echoing the look of a ship, the set acts with efficient versatility, offering any new element needed with ease as ropes lower props and hammocks, or raise white sails at a moment's notice.
When passion wanes, one is forced to confront the complex choices involved in love, or else face the desolation of going entirely unloved. A dedicated cast and crew offers an intimate look at this struggle with La Habra High School's production of "Tristan and Yseult".
Tyler Munro
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register
Boundless Passion with La Habra's "Tristan and Yseult"
written by Tyler Munro, a senior at Tesoro High School
A wounded man lies unconscious, a look of immense pain plastered on his face as a young woman tends to him, tenderly nursing him with a sense of care and longing. This is the image of La Habra High School's "Tristan and Yseult", a Medieval myth which explore the complexities of love and passion, and the pain of heartbreak and loneliness.
Justine Sombilon's expressive performance as Yseult is a balancing act between her character's sense of self, and the overpowering effects of passion. Her first contact with Tristan, Gabriel Liron, goes from delicate nurturing, to furious violence as she learns he is responsible for the death of her brother. Liron's Tristan is motivated by passion in everything he does. Whether it be formal dance or helpless pain, an intensity sits always in Liron's eyes, a sense of urgency in his swift movement. Yseult's relationship with Tristan is intimate, Sombilon and Liron's eyes permanently locked, constantly reaching for one another, desiring closeness.
Hannah Rhode's portrayal of Whitehands exhibits mystery and pain. Her restrained, dry delivery is at once hilarious and intriguing, inviting a desire to discover what sits behind her composed disposition. When Rhode let's her guard down, revealing her character as Tristan's wife, this wish is easily fulfilled. Her once cold persona gives way to a desperate feeling of heart-break, wrath mixing with sorrow on her emotive face.
Zach Fogel astounds with his portrayal of Yseult's maid Bragian, displaying an impressive range with his nuanced performance. He first arouses great laughter, working frantically to separate Tristan and Yseult from embracing, nearly falling into hysterics with an ever-shriller voice. And with a surprising juxtaposition, after Bragian has taken Yseult's place on her wedding night, offers a stunning monologue.
Set design, by the LHHS Theatre Guild Set Team, elegantly serves both thematic and pragmatic needs for the show. While echoing the look of a ship, the set acts with efficient versatility, offering any new element needed with ease as ropes lower props and hammocks, or raise white sails at a moment's notice.
When passion wanes, one is forced to confront the complex choices involved in love, or else face the desolation of going entirely unloved. A dedicated cast and crew offers an intimate look at this struggle with La Habra High School's production of "Tristan and Yseult".
Katie Alexander
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook
La Habra sails above and beyond
written by Katie Alexander, a senior at Tesoro High School
Love unravels, revealing both its alluring beauty and its crushing pain in La Habra High School's poignant production of "Tristan and Yseult," an ancient legend with a timeless revival.
When forbidden romance sparks between two young lovers, cheerful comedy eventually shifts to startling sorrow, tenderly unveiling the ruthless dual nature of love.
Gabriel Liron exudes passion as the mysterious Tristan. In multiple scenes, Liron releases agonizing cries whilst writhing on the floor and desperately clutching his stomach in pain. His intensity is only sharpened by his calculated movements and lustful gazes toward Yseult, further escalating their fervent affair.
Justine Sombilon's strength as the fiery Yseult is unmatched. Her angry flailing limbs as Tristan picks her up perfectly contrast her honest tone and warm smiles as she constantly embraces him. Liron's extremity and Sombilon's sincerity work together to fantastically capture reckless obsession.
King Mark, skillfully played by Miles Henry, maintains an unfailing upright posture and quiet strength at the start of the show. However, in a fit of rage, he changes his stance and angrily yells as he throws the faithful Frocin (Abigail Oxley) across the stage, leaving her to meekly join the club of the unloved.
Portraying another character with a dramatic shift is Zachary Fogel as Brangian. Upon entering, Fogel brings comedy with a dopey grin and an ungraceful stride. In trying to separate Tristan and Yseult from each other, he clumsily wedges his body in between theirs, struggling to push them apart. Fogel's strongest performance however is in a shockingly devastating monologue where Brangian laments giving up her virginity for Yseult. Fogel's grounded stance and heartfelt cries give his character tremendous depth and profundity.
The lighting designed by the LHHS Theater Guild Lighting Team beautifully ties in with the set design from the Set Design Team. With a raised stage, blue lights reflect underneath the actors to simulate the look of water and enhance the nautical theme. Red and blue lights flash on the sides of the set during a chaotic storm scene, effectively framing the center of action.
With brilliant acting and striking technical elements, La Habra High School's stirring production of "Tristan and Yseult" masterfully navigates between passionate romance and bitter tragedy, successfully breaking emotional borders and highlighting the theme of love at arm's length.
Katie Alexander
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook
La Habra sails above and beyond
written by Katie Alexander, a senior at Tesoro High School
Love unravels, revealing both its alluring beauty and its crushing pain in La Habra High School's poignant production of "Tristan and Yseult," an ancient legend with a timeless revival.
When forbidden romance sparks between two young lovers, cheerful comedy eventually shifts to startling sorrow, tenderly unveiling the ruthless dual nature of love.
Gabriel Liron exudes passion as the mysterious Tristan. In multiple scenes, Liron releases agonizing cries whilst writhing on the floor and desperately clutching his stomach in pain. His intensity is only sharpened by his calculated movements and lustful gazes toward Yseult, further escalating their fervent affair.
Justine Sombilon's strength as the fiery Yseult is unmatched. Her angry flailing limbs as Tristan picks her up perfectly contrast her honest tone and warm smiles as she constantly embraces him. Liron's extremity and Sombilon's sincerity work together to fantastically capture reckless obsession.
King Mark, skillfully played by Miles Henry, maintains an unfailing upright posture and quiet strength at the start of the show. However, in a fit of rage, he changes his stance and angrily yells as he throws the faithful Frocin (Abigail Oxley) across the stage, leaving her to meekly join the club of the unloved.
Portraying another character with a dramatic shift is Zachary Fogel as Brangian. Upon entering, Fogel brings comedy with a dopey grin and an ungraceful stride. In trying to separate Tristan and Yseult from each other, he clumsily wedges his body in between theirs, struggling to push them apart. Fogel's strongest performance however is in a shockingly devastating monologue where Brangian laments giving up her virginity for Yseult. Fogel's grounded stance and heartfelt cries give his character tremendous depth and profundity.
The lighting designed by the LHHS Theater Guild Lighting Team beautifully ties in with the set design from the Set Design Team. With a raised stage, blue lights reflect underneath the actors to simulate the look of water and enhance the nautical theme. Red and blue lights flash on the sides of the set during a chaotic storm scene, effectively framing the center of action.
With brilliant acting and striking technical elements, La Habra High School's stirring production of "Tristan and Yseult" masterfully navigates between passionate romance and bitter tragedy, successfully breaking emotional borders and highlighting the theme of love at arm's length.
Danielle Kelly
Laguna Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook
La Habra presents a poignant production of "Tristan and Yseult"
written by Danielle Kelly, a senior at Laguna Hills High School
With well-timed humor and unique artistry, La Habra High School tells the story of this timeless Celtic legend with an added modern charm.
As Tristan, Gabriel Liron is captivating from the second he steps onto the stage. He lays writhing on the floor with his hand pressed to his side as he screams out in anguish. This image contrasts greatly with his presence throughout the rest of the show as he embodies passion, humanity, and life. Liron and Justine Sombilon (Yseult) move through their choreography and movements as one from the moment they consume the love potion, making their characters' subsequent actions seem believable and justified.
Sombilon, playing the part of Yseult, is wide-eyed and graceful. She raises her eyebrows and darts her eyes around the audience to portray her innocence and distress about her situation as she delivers her asides.
Miles Henry (King Mark) stands with his shoulders back and his feet firmly grounded as he portrays the King's strength and nobility. His booming voice is audible over all others, demanding attention and respect from all others onstage.
The defining aspect of this show was, without a doubt, the exceptional choreography. The choreography, by student Hannah Mendoza, significantly contributes to the production and story in a way that the dialogue cannot. With symbolic synchronized movement, pair dancing, and cultural pieces, the show tells much of its story through physical movement. Some scenes, such as the one which includes Yseult and Brangian (Zachary Fogel) switching beds without their partners' knowledge, becomes more poignant and hard-hitting because it is told through dance instead of a dialogical scene. At first separated by a white sheet (held by members of the Love Spotters ensemble), Liron (Tristan), Sombilon (Yseult), Henry (King Mark), and Fogel (Brangian) quickly utilize the entire stage while telling the story of what happened that night through paralleled movement and beautiful choreography. Both pairs were exceptional, conveying the story with passion, poise, emotion, and honesty.
The lighting (designed by La Habra High School's Theater 3H class) significantly contributes to the mood and artistry of the production. Additionally, using blue lighting below the raised stage, they established the setting of a boat traveling overseas.
La Habra's cast and crew emphasize the universality of the themes of this classic myth in a stunning, comedic, and heartfelt production of "Tristan and Yseult".
Danielle Kelly
Laguna Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook
La Habra presents a poignant production of "Tristan and Yseult"
written by Danielle Kelly, a senior at Laguna Hills High School
With well-timed humor and unique artistry, La Habra High School tells the story of this timeless Celtic legend with an added modern charm.
As Tristan, Gabriel Liron is captivating from the second he steps onto the stage. He lays writhing on the floor with his hand pressed to his side as he screams out in anguish. This image contrasts greatly with his presence throughout the rest of the show as he embodies passion, humanity, and life. Liron and Justine Sombilon (Yseult) move through their choreography and movements as one from the moment they consume the love potion, making their characters' subsequent actions seem believable and justified.
Sombilon, playing the part of Yseult, is wide-eyed and graceful. She raises her eyebrows and darts her eyes around the audience to portray her innocence and distress about her situation as she delivers her asides.
Miles Henry (King Mark) stands with his shoulders back and his feet firmly grounded as he portrays the King's strength and nobility. His booming voice is audible over all others, demanding attention and respect from all others onstage.
The defining aspect of this show was, without a doubt, the exceptional choreography. The choreography, by student Hannah Mendoza, significantly contributes to the production and story in a way that the dialogue cannot. With symbolic synchronized movement, pair dancing, and cultural pieces, the show tells much of its story through physical movement. Some scenes, such as the one which includes Yseult and Brangian (Zachary Fogel) switching beds without their partners' knowledge, becomes more poignant and hard-hitting because it is told through dance instead of a dialogical scene. At first separated by a white sheet (held by members of the Love Spotters ensemble), Liron (Tristan), Sombilon (Yseult), Henry (King Mark), and Fogel (Brangian) quickly utilize the entire stage while telling the story of what happened that night through paralleled movement and beautiful choreography. Both pairs were exceptional, conveying the story with passion, poise, emotion, and honesty.
The lighting (designed by La Habra High School's Theater 3H class) significantly contributes to the mood and artistry of the production. Additionally, using blue lighting below the raised stage, they established the setting of a boat traveling overseas.
La Habra's cast and crew emphasize the universality of the themes of this classic myth in a stunning, comedic, and heartfelt production of "Tristan and Yseult".