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