THEA 142: Development of Dramatic Art I

A discussion of the origins and transformations of primarily Western theatre from its origins to the late 18th century, through texts, artists, and theorists.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

I need a clever title...

As I read this, I see a more modern production. I see the proscenium stage with the typical audience facing the stage on one side, and the lights are dimmed enough so that you see starts on a single drop hanging on the front of the stage. In the first part of the show, the speakers are standing on the downstage right corner, with no Prometheus with them. They are speaking off stage to him as though he is standing right there in the wings. When they go to chain him, the one chaining him walks off stage to do such an action and then walks back on stage to continue delivering his lines.
Then, there is a blackout. And as the lights come back up, you can see through the scrim, as it is also rising, to a huge boulder in the middle of the stage with Prometheus bound to it. And as the chorus speaks, they walk out to the front of the rock to speak to him. As the chorus of girls comes in, there is a light sort of piano music playing in the background as they sing and dance to it. I also see Ocean flying down on a moster-looking contraption and landing on top of the rock, to speak to Prometheus from atop the boulder. After the chorus has finished their singing, they remain silent as Prometheus speaks. Once they start their second Ode, they are dancing and singing around the rock, circling many times. Suddenly, there is a single light on the back of the stage, making it possible to only see the outline of the people on stage, as Io enters onto the stage. She stays towards the stage left corner of the stage as she sings her songs. The lights slowly come back to normal as Prometheus notices her. She stays to the left of the boulder as the chorus moves to the right side, watching intently as Prometheus’ story is told. Finally, Hermes appears stage left, and the lights change to a red tone. As Hermes exits, there is a sudden blackout with flashing lights to be like lightning and roaring thunder. Total blackout; lights come back up to an empty stage and the background lights bright much like with Io, where if there were something on the stage, only the outline would be seen. The split second Prometheus finishes his exclamation, there is a blackout. Curtain closes.

1 Comments:

At 11:11 PM, Blogger Libby said...

I like what you’re doing with the lighting for your staging of Prometheus – I think use of light plays a big role in the staging of this particular play. I really like where you are putting the blackouts – such as right at the beginning. It makes a very powerful statement for when the lights do come back, revealing Prometheus. My favorite use of your lighting is the red lights at the end of the play. It’s very serious, and it gives off such a dark vibe. Then the lighting and thunder are classic of course. Finally, I love the way you end your staging of the play with a blackout, then lights, then a blackout – so powerful! (Especially if members in the audience have epilepsy – powerful ending indeed!)

 

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