how far would you go as an actor?
Tue, 22 Jan 2002, 05:46 pmWalter Plinge38 posts in thread
how far would you go as an actor?
Tue, 22 Jan 2002, 05:46 pmReally, this is the nudity question all over again... but I don't want it to descend into the fracas it usually does (got that, Leah?). :o)>
I am considering putting in a play to the Blue Room this year that requires four young people (2 guys, 2 girls - all twenty-somethings) to appear fully nude and in highly explicit (simulated, obviously) sex scenes.
It is a serious early play by a major American playwright, dealing with the fractured nature of human relationships and the idea that no matter how close we get to one another, we are all -- essentially -- alone.
(That quote from Albert Schweitzer comes to mind on this... I may well use that in the programme!)
In other words, it's not a cynical, exploitative flesh-fest, but deadly serious piece of theatre needing a dedicated, emotionally mature young cast.
Therein lies the rub... does such a thing exist anymore? Can I realistically hope to cast this show, or would every suitable young actor be too terrified of a room full of strangers scrutinising their privates?
How far are actors (male and female) prepared to go these days, and for the right play (which this one is), would they go the whole hog?
Are you out there, or is this just a pipe-dream?
peace,
David M.
I am considering putting in a play to the Blue Room this year that requires four young people (2 guys, 2 girls - all twenty-somethings) to appear fully nude and in highly explicit (simulated, obviously) sex scenes.
It is a serious early play by a major American playwright, dealing with the fractured nature of human relationships and the idea that no matter how close we get to one another, we are all -- essentially -- alone.
(That quote from Albert Schweitzer comes to mind on this... I may well use that in the programme!)
In other words, it's not a cynical, exploitative flesh-fest, but deadly serious piece of theatre needing a dedicated, emotionally mature young cast.
Therein lies the rub... does such a thing exist anymore? Can I realistically hope to cast this show, or would every suitable young actor be too terrified of a room full of strangers scrutinising their privates?
How far are actors (male and female) prepared to go these days, and for the right play (which this one is), would they go the whole hog?
Are you out there, or is this just a pipe-dream?
peace,
David M.
RE: how far would you go as an actor?
Sun, 27 Jan 2002, 03:50 pm David Meadows wrote:
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Really, this is the nudity question all over again... but I don't want it to descend into the fracas it usually does (got that, Leah?). :o)>
**Totally fracas-free. I promise.
It is a serious early play by a major American playwright, dealing with the fractured nature of human relationships and the idea that no matter how close we get to one another, we are all -- essentially -- alone.
** I don't have much to say on this subject that I havn't already said. Theatre is created not only in the minds of those who produce it, but in the minds of the audience who give it life through their interpretation. It is because this is the way meaning is made of theatre that I doubt that nudity and simulated sex on stage can ever be anything but exploitative. You go cast some women who are not thin and gorgeous in this play, see how the box office goes and then come an talk to me again David.
** But I did have something to say about all of this that probably isn't quite the debate David expected. At the risk of sounding like my Nan; why can't you do anything NICE?? I am aware at a deep level that in the end we all sleep, love and die alone. MUST you make it your lifes work to keep reminding me of this? Why can't you put on, or even BE IN something that is about the best in people, not the worst. And I don't mean you have to put on The Importance of Being Ernest.
** I lay down this challenge. Mr Meadows, go off and find a really lovely upbeat happy play and put it on. Find a modern, possibly local text which will cause the audience to hug the person sitting next to them and walk out with a big smile on their face, their faith in human kind restored.
** Go on. I bloody dare you.
-------------------------------
Really, this is the nudity question all over again... but I don't want it to descend into the fracas it usually does (got that, Leah?). :o)>
**Totally fracas-free. I promise.
It is a serious early play by a major American playwright, dealing with the fractured nature of human relationships and the idea that no matter how close we get to one another, we are all -- essentially -- alone.
** I don't have much to say on this subject that I havn't already said. Theatre is created not only in the minds of those who produce it, but in the minds of the audience who give it life through their interpretation. It is because this is the way meaning is made of theatre that I doubt that nudity and simulated sex on stage can ever be anything but exploitative. You go cast some women who are not thin and gorgeous in this play, see how the box office goes and then come an talk to me again David.
** But I did have something to say about all of this that probably isn't quite the debate David expected. At the risk of sounding like my Nan; why can't you do anything NICE?? I am aware at a deep level that in the end we all sleep, love and die alone. MUST you make it your lifes work to keep reminding me of this? Why can't you put on, or even BE IN something that is about the best in people, not the worst. And I don't mean you have to put on The Importance of Being Ernest.
** I lay down this challenge. Mr Meadows, go off and find a really lovely upbeat happy play and put it on. Find a modern, possibly local text which will cause the audience to hug the person sitting next to them and walk out with a big smile on their face, their faith in human kind restored.
** Go on. I bloody dare you.
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