Editor’s Note: This article was written by students in professor Christopher Fee’s English 312: Medieval Drama course.
Dear Gentle Gettysburgians,
You are cordially invited to the event of the season! The upcoming production of Wit-thuring Heights is the first adaptation of Wit and Science at Gettysburg College in 22 years. This play centers on a young man named Wit, who wants to marry Lady Science. Her father, Lord Reason, agrees to give her hand in marriage under one condition. Wit must defeat Tediousness, Lady Science’s arch-nemesis. On his quest, Wit has several encounters, some of which distract him and set him off course, while others guide and support him to reach his goal.
Wit and Science is a play that speaks to the human experience. It fits into multiple genres: the educational drama, the morality play, and the romance, among others. The English 312 Medieval Drama class made it even more appealing to a modern audience by adapting it to a more recent time, the Victorian Era.
Wit-huring Heights is a result of each production team’s efforts. The class was split into four production teams that used their talents to work together and create a unique version of Wit and Science.
The direction team introduced the idea of the Victorian Era as the period to set the play in. They ensured Wit-thuring Heights stayed authentic to the original play, while incorporating their vision and inviting ideas from other teams. Drawing inspiration from works by the likes of Dickens, Gilbert and Sullivan, the translation team maintained the messages of the original play while using modern humor and language. The staging team imagined a stage with hints of dark academia to create a visually immersive experience. Last but not least, props and costumes completed the world of the play by making time-specific costumes that will allow the actors to exude their characters’ inner traits further.
Professor Fee has stated that “there are no small parts,” and it has proven to be true through the enthusiastic participation and collaboration of each team in pre-production. Please join the English 312 Medieval Drama class on May 2nd, 4 p.m. at Kline Theater, for a good hour and a play of good manners!
To get a glimpse behind the scenes, follow the production on Instagram at @wutthuring.heights.
