(no subject)

[bluecastle]

I keep wondering how this reading tomorrow night is going to go. And whether the son of the guy who wrote it is going to freak out that we've chopped the shit out of it. There's barely a sentence we haven't gotten rid of words from. 

There's two problems. It's a terribly bloated script. A 30 page monologue! I suspect it will take us at LEAST 75 if not closer to 90 minutes to read/perform it all. And that's with the cuts. It's one of those pieces that works completely differently if you're reading it to yourself or if you're reading it aloud.

Additionally, its written in the cadence of British/New England/Boston Brahmin etc but clearly states that the main character has a noticeable Russian accent. The word choices are all wrong. It's full of Ws, Hs, Ths, Is ... none of which exist in a Russian accent. And  there is Henry and Helena going with the Hindus into the Himalayas to promote their Theosophical Society. UGH.

I'm so glad I just have to help set up, and be on hand to ring a tingly little bell at points!

One more rehearsal, then it gets performed tomorrow night, and hopefully I never have to think about it ever again. :) The subject material is sort of interesting ... fake spiritualists and whatnot ... but ugh this script is woe.

Comments

[alba17.livejournal.com]

Sounds interesting. Have you ever read Affinity by Sarah Waters? Deals with spiritualists, etc. in 19th c. London. Fantastic book.

30 PAGE MONOLOGUE!!

[valancy-joy.livejournal.com]

OOh! book rec! Will check it out! The power plays in the script are fascinating. But it's SO DENSE! We've never actually gotten through the whole thing in one sitting! But we will tonight :))

[alba17.livejournal.com]

I recommend all her books. I haven't read the most recent one, which is the only contemporary one. The rest are historical, mostly 19th c., although one is WW2. Most are more or less lesbian stories - I don't think the most recent is. Probably why I haven't read it yet, LOL.

This icon is from the TV version of Affinity. Also excellent.