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how far would you go as an actor?

Tue, 22 Jan 2002, 05:46 pm
Walter Plinge38 posts in thread
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)>

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?

Wed, 30 Jan 2002, 11:40 pm
Walter Plinge
>I've been quiet(ish) but it must be said...
>
>Salome - nudity

Failed attempt.

>Clockwork Orange - nudity

Failed attempt.

>Midsummer Night's Dream - hasn't been done yet
>but poster grab-line: 'Wanna Puck' with suggestions
>of nudity and bondage

Don't know *where* you got the bondage thing from... but nudity, absolutely.

>Romeo & Juliet - THAT poster

But -- as discussed at some length on this very forum -- none in the show.

>Crave - to be done nude from start to finish

*IF* I can find actors in this godforsaken town who are committed enough to do it.

>Thought in 3 Parts - THAT middle section

See above.

>A stage version of 101 Days of Sodom - self explanatory really

That's 120 days, Amanda. And if I use the Lindsay Kemp version, there's no nudity. At all.

>He did suggest a 'nice' show to me, Leah - 'The First Nudie Musical'.

And what a show *that* would be if the copyright holder didn't make a habit of chickening out every time I got my end of the ball rolling.

>Now, understand that I respect you deeply as a person

*ahem!*

>What is your freakin obsession with nudity?

Hmmm, let me see....

Innocent Bystanders - no nudity
Summer of the Seventeenth Doll - no nudity
Romeo & Juliet - no nudity (in the show)
After Aida - no nudity
Britannicus - no nudity
The Bear (coming this year) - no nudity
Taking Sides (which I was doing with Old Mill until I had to pull out) - no nudity

Hard to tell, Amanda.

>How are we meant to believe you're not just creepy?

To be honest, I don't care. If you're into the work, you're into it. Otherwise, leave it alone.

Why you and Leah seem so concerned with why I'm doing a certain show, or a certain show a certain way, when you're neither involved in it, or even remotely interested in *being* involved in it, is beyond me.


David M.


Thou dankish full-gorged minnow!

(hehe)

Thread (38 posts)

how far would you go as an actor?Walter Plinge22 Jan 2002
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