Props: Pic-nic table, well constructed, very stable (later, Linda will stand atop it to deliver a speech) Fan (for creating wind) Large amounts of paper to be blown onto stage Stick-pole with nail in bottom (for use in picking up trash) Trash can, two canvas litter bags, Scull for Scene for Hamlet, pedistal for same. Stand-alone wash-basin (lavatory) Set Directions: Sally Joe (In most cases Sally, Joe, the Devil will sit on THIS side of the table) ( ) --------------- (viewed from the top) Dodge Linda (Other actors will sit on this side only) Audience <----------------- wind blows in this direction players enter from the direction of the wind (the wind at their backs) and exit to the left . During the production of Hamlet, some players may enter from the LEFT -- through out the remainder of he play all players enter from the RIGHT and exit on the LEFT. Also, the part of the MOPPETT and GOD could be played by the same person -- regardless should be a fairly short person (ie, tallness chalenged :) Also, I'm thinking of a woman/girl in this part -- but this ties in with the "changes her/his mind every five minutes" -- which is a bit "trite" about women having the perogative of changing their mind. But, on the other hand god as woman has a nice icon-o-clastic ring to it. ============================================ In the very front of the theater are to be three seats that are to be un-occupied (during the last scene, the MOTHER, FATHER and MOPPET will sit there) -- the stage director can be seated next the three seats, and will tell anyone wishing to sit there that "I think that they said some one was going to sit there later." If (after the curtain goes up), there is no one sitting there, a couple of extras can sit there. Later on, when the FATHER, MOTHER, and MOPPET go to sit there (they will enter from the back of the auditorium (making large amounts of noise as they move down the isle to their seats). When they find some one in the seats, they make a big hub-bub about this. In the middle of the Hamelet play the Devil character (who now plays Hamlet's father-the-ghost) comes to the front of the stage and yells at them to get out of the chairs (again enun-ciating clearl and very succinctly). At first they do not get up, but then he yells, GO. GO. GO NOW. Don't you ever listen to the stage director! He then returns to the scene and takes up the "ghost mask" again. The FATHER, MOTHER and MOPPETT are by this time seated. ============================================== The part of the Policeman/woman can again be played by any character not on stage (male or female). Duplicated notes for scene 4 Also, the part of the MOPPETT and GOD could be played by the same person -- regardless should be a fairly short person (ie, tallness chalenged :) Also, I'm thinking of a woman/girl in this part -- but this ties in with the "changes her/his mind every five minutes" -- which is a bit "trite" about women having the perogative of changing their mind. But, on the other hand god as woman has a nice icon-o-clastic ring to it. ============================================ In the very front of the theater are to be three seats that are to be un-occupied (during the last scene, the MOTHER, FATHER and MOPPET will sit there) -- the stage director can be seated next the three seats, and will tell anyone wishing to sit there that "I think that they said some one was going to sit there later." If (after the curtain goes up), there is no one sitting there, a couple of extras can sit there. Later on, when the FATHER, MOTHER, and MOPPET go to sit there (they will enter from the back of the auditorium (making large amounts of noise as they move down the isle to their seats). When they find some one in the seats, they make a big hub-bub about this. In the middle of the Hamelet play the Devil character (who now plays Hamlet's father-the-ghost) comes to the front of the stage and yells at them to get out of the chairs (again enun-ciating clearl and very succinctly). At first they do not get up, but then he yells, GO. GO. GO NOW. Don't you ever listen to the stage director! He then returns to the scene and takes up the "ghost mask" again. The FATHER, MOTHER and MOPPETT are by this time seated. Back to the THANTOS play itself Back to the Theatre of the Absurd page Back to the Theatre main page Back to the HOME page