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bobbichukran
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Posted: Fri Mar 2nd, 2007 07:14 pm |
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Hi all,
I'm revising a story I wrote six months ago, turning it into a play. It's a sort of adaptation of a fairy tale, and there's a scene with magic in it, where a character is changed drastically. How would you do this? How could it be written into the script other than a complete change of scenery, or a new act?
Hope this makes sense....Thanks!
bobbi c.
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Poet
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Posted: Sat Mar 3rd, 2007 12:07 pm |
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| Two cast members and a switch? You could maybe double so that the 'original' member of cast plays a second role after the transformation, and the 'new' cast member plays a previous role before?
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bobbichukran
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Posted: Sat Mar 3rd, 2007 02:08 pm |
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Thanks so much, Poet! I thought about using two different actors, but didn't think about "recycling" them from other parts of the play.
That might work......
The story is Cinderella, so the women playing the part would have to look pretty much alike....
Hmmm...something to think about.
Thanks!
bobbi c.
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Poet
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Posted: Sat Mar 3rd, 2007 05:04 pm |
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It keeps the cast bill down... and actually, you DON'T need two similar females - just two actors who can mimic each others' mannerisms so the audience really isn't sure - "That can't be the same girl, but it must be!' type of reaction!
The whole point of Cinderella (I think) is deception, guise and misdirection!
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bobbichukran
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 03:37 pm |
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Good point....misdirection, something I learned a lot about writing mysteries!
This whole thing makes me wonder how much other playwrights even worry about this stuff. I will admit I don't have a lot of experience actually staging a play, and have to keep reminding myself to hold back on the "magical" aspects of a story.
This story started out as a children's book that I wrote a year ago, now turning it into a play has changed it quite a bit!
bobbi c.
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Anubian Nights Theatre Co
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Posted: Thu Mar 22nd, 2007 11:06 pm |
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A sheet of mirrorlite and a candle......
Regards TKL
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IanFraser
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Posted: Tue Aug 7th, 2007 11:57 am |
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my two cents worth, as I had a play involving magic and the switching of a character, from male to female - I finally just used two different people. And did it behind some scenery.
I guess it depends how you're writing the piece. If its a self aware 'talking to audience' kind of piece, you can find ways of nudge nudge, telling the audience to suspend their disbelief for the moment, you could even use masks - but again, not useful if its a 'straight' play and you dont want to step into avant garde style theatre.
If switching characters/actors - then stepping out of standard conventions briefly, can be fun as a writer, and for the audience, who'll 'get' what you're doing. For instance having the one character start their magic, and putting a spot abruptly on the other side of the stage, as the 'alt' character uncoiled from their lying/crouched position, they stand up, move over to the first character, who exits - and the new persona is there in the spotlight, and the audience'll generally accept it, if its done swiftly and simply.
There's many ways of doing the 'swapping' - both within the confines of the piece, (done behind scenery, amidst smoke etc) as well as the more alternative ways, which involve stepping out of the conventions of the story and showing deliberate nuts and bolts of theatrical stagecraft. Depends on how brave you are, and what's best for the telling of the story - as well as 'what pleases and amuses you as the writer' (this is an important thing to keep in mind).
Whatever way you do, just be bold about it, and trust that the audience will keep up.
/two cents mode off :)
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Sam Stone
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Posted: Sat Aug 11th, 2007 01:53 pm |
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Bobbi,
It isn't necessary for you to specifically determine "how" it's done... sometimes that's best left to the director and techies. After they figure it out, if you're satisfied, write it into the script.
Or... find one or more techies you respect and encourage them to help you. Theatre techies love to demonstrate their ability to overcome problems. I know this because I'm one - we look forward to outteching each other.
Sam
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Limerick
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Posted: Sat Aug 11th, 2007 08:31 pm |
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Just echoing Sam, here. Coming from a working technician, there's nothing we love more than a challange. It's not to say throw that sort of consideration out the window, but if it's necassary to your story throw it in there and let the technicians go to work.
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