By Rebecca Do
Enter a world of magic and mischief with Fountain Valley High School’s (FVHS) Theatre production of the off-broadway show “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic” written by Matt Cox.
The play is a parody retelling of “Harry Potter” and is in the point of view of Wayne Hopkins, a young boy sorted as a Hufflepuff, one of four houses in the book series.
The characters from the original novels are a part of the main cast as well. In this play, the Hufflepuffs are on a journey to not only capture the house cup but to save the school as well.
“Puffs” is the theatre’s second post-lockdown production after “Twelve Angry Jurors.” When the pandemic was in effect, students in the program opted for an online theatre experience because of it.
“I feel great coming back to the theatre after COVID! Online theatre is not the same nor as fun as live theatre is. Live theatre brings the audience into a new world and introduces them to new characters and stories,” said senior Robbie Macey, who plays Oliver Rivers in “Puffs.” “Live theatre with COVID has been a challenge in some areas but we are working through it with what we can do. We are trying our best with everything and that’s all we can do sometimes; keep pushing forward and learn along the way.”
The pandemic was not their only challenge—some cast members usually face adversity when tapping into their character as well.
Junior Katie Bell plays Megan Jones, who played a “weird kid” who does not want to be a Puff like the rest of her family, was one of the many who ran into that problem when rehearsing.
“Some of [her character’s] lines were written to be said a certain way that made them a little awkward to say,” Bell said. “But after some playing around and getting to know all the characters some more, I was able to work through it.”
During their dress rehearsal, unique outdoor spotlights illuminate the stage, but the chemistry between the cast members doesn’t need stage lights to be bright. Despite its small stature, the amphitheater is brought to life by the techs, the props, the elaborate costumes and the lights.
Act Two opens up to five openings: one big door and two curtains on the side. The lights flicker back and forth until it reaches a light purple. Without context, characters enter the stage with timid happiness by promising each other to not be “too sad.”
Even without knowledge of the play or a set background, the audience can learn to embrace self-mediocrity with the satirical angst and comedy of the play with this scene alone.
FVHS Theatre’s rendition of the play is nothing short of spectacular flaws and all, even in dress rehearsal. Actors and actresses tap into their characters almost naturally through mannerisms, tone and their addition of accents.
“Our show isn’t perfect, but that’s what makes it so uniquely meaningful,” senior assistant director Roger Nguyen said. “I am extremely proud of all of the things we were able to accomplish in the last few months, and I hope our audiences enjoy our performance just as much as we enjoyed building the magical world of Puffs.”
To watch the show in all its magical splendor, catch FVHS Theatre like the Puffs try to catch the House Cup on opening night on Nov. 10. The play will have showings at 7 p.m. on Nov. 12, 13, 17, 18 and 19 at the amphitheater. You can purchase tickets on the FVHS Theatre website.
