Matthew Chenevert: Everyman Analysis Production vs Text

Everyman Analysis: Production vs Text

The play was easy to follow on screen. The story was kept true to the text but that is about where the similarities ended for me and my mind’s eye.
The characters were poorly represented and the costumes were PLAIN. The set was dark and minimal. With the exception of the scene I’m about to discuss I was let down.


The scene I chose to examine was when Everyman interacted with Goods. This fellow could act! He was powerful in his character. His costume was good and he had props! He out acted the Everyman. My favorite line was “my condition is man’s soul to kill”. I had pictured much more wealth-type items to be lavished around but generally it was well represented. (I like piles of gold)



In the Medieval Theatre I’m sure this would have been a big production, even for being so short of a play. Costumes would have been much more thought out and exaggerated for the people standing in the back of the crowd to see. For example, Death would have been a truly scary and imposing figure instead of a dark and skulking robed weasel. The Friendship and Kinsman scene would have been much more crowded with people to re-enforce that they would all abandon you in your last hour.


Overall I was let down but I went back and re-watched the Goods scene twice. If that guy doesn’t turn pro then he is missing his calling. Even with that being the case I still liked the story and had my expectation set a little high. Overall still my favorite play of the year so far.