Another performance we attended at the Sight & Sound Theatre on May 28, 2022, took us back to the times of the biblical King David. His story is told in the books of the Old Testament. David was a historical figure, king of Israel, who lived approximately from 1040 to 970 B.C. We first meet him as a young shepherd boy, son of Jesse, playing the harp and composing songs.
He is beloved by his mother, who teaches him many skills. He first appears at the court of King Saul, who is tormented by evil spirits and cannot find peace. David becomes his court musician; the sound of his harp soothes the king. During the war with the Philistines, David accepts the challenge of the Philistine warrior Goliath. The reward for killing the giant is marriage to the king’s daughter.
By defeating Goliath with a slingshot stone, David becomes widely popular. Saul, consumed by jealousy, begins to persecute him—especially after learning that David has been secretly anointed by the prophet Samuel to become the next king of Israel. Time after time, God saves David from Saul’s wrath. After Saul’s death, David is declared king. We see him conquer surrounding kingdoms and expand his rule.
In Jerusalem, he establishes the capital and main religious center of Israel, bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the temple. David was a strong leader and king who trusted in God completely. Still, he was not without sin. He seduced Bathsheba, the wife of his officer, and arranged for the officer’s death by placing him at the front line. The prophet Nathan condemned this sin. David humbled himself before God, repented, and begged for forgiveness.
King David, author of 73 Psalms—known as the “Psalms of David”—pleads for God’s mercy in Psalm 51 following his sins born from human weakness: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” In the final scene, we witness Jesus Christ, the Son of God, forgiving sinners from the cross. On his deathbed, David names his son Solomon as his successor. The epic nature of the production was emphasized by the music, stage design, costumes, skilled acting, choreography, dance, lighting and sound effects, and direction.
Computer effects definitely contributed to the spectacular staging—creating 3D visuals of majestic mountains, pastures, meadows, forests, rivers, and waterfalls. The massive Goliath puppet was particularly impressive as he fell in battle with David. Live animals—goats, sheep, horses, and doves—also appeared on stage, always delighting the youngest audience members. So, until the next equally breathtaking performance!
ZOFIA TWAROWSKA