So fascinating. Because this is a primarily a religious experience and not focused on pure entertainment, the audience understands and accepts symbolic sets. A bowl of water serves as a river. A palm tree as an entire grove. I love that a door is held by two men and moved about to represent various entrances and exits. Nothing about this is meant to seem realistic. The actors purposely separate themselves from their villianous roles and openly weep when they recite offensive lines. In an attempt to place as much distance between their true selves and their character, they wave to friends, talk normally to audience members, and frequently break character. Therefore, it should not be surprising that a bowl of water is the Nile.
However, there is a vast array of spectacle. Depending on the size of the arena or theatre, horses may be used in battle scenes as if galloping into war. Actors move about the space freely and may relocate the action of the play to the roof. The prop list contains a vast amount of weaponry, chain mail, helmets, swords, and spears. These items are not symbolized, and used throughout the ongoing battles in the play. The costumes are also colorful and detailed.
The closest I've seen to this was my One Act Play director who believed that strong acting should not be overshadowed by spectacle. He used one tree stump for five different things... it was a chair, a forest, a table, a trunk,... you get the idea... he loved that stump... We were definitely not allowed to wave at the audience though...
- Hailey Drescher
I wish I could have seen you up on that stump waving anyway! You bring up a good point about using what you have on hand to provide atmosphere and locale. If everyone is primed for this type of represenation, it works and if someone is clueless, their neighbor will quickly explain everything! That is the bright side about repetitive plays- you don't miss a thing!
ReplyDeleteAngela