Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead

September 8, Year 3: This part of the set is a smashing success. You recall that the people on board the ship to England have a lot to do with barrels. Probably the barrels in the Shakespeare play of Hamlet contained herring, but in RAGAD they contain Tragedians. Once the concept became clear, Bree took over these things; she and her crew worked over them till they came just right. How do the Tragedians get inside the barrels? Ah, that would be telling. . . 

If you have visited other pages in this series, you know what a wrestling match I got into with this interior/exterior thing. Now it works like a champion, though I may want to wax the pivots before turning it loose. Kelly produced the art on the two sides. After rehearsing with the revolve, the crew tells me that it flips at a moment when something interesting is going on at the other side of the stage, so you may actually miss the instant. That's all to the good: You are not supposed to watch the set but the actors. I'll watch the set.

I should tell you that the vanishing Patty was a one-time thing, not a regular part of the show.

When they aren't popping out of herring barrels, the Tragedians move from place to place with this cart. Banner artist Chris finally announced he was done with it. I am a little distressed by the ominous groaning sound the wheels make as they turn on the axle; perhaps the cart is a trifle heavier than I expected. I may unwheel it and put some wax in there. Notice the satisfying quality of this thing in that you take a quick look and see one level of detail, a closer look and see another, and so forth. Four or five levels of detail (at least there will be by the time the Tragedians turn it around and reveal the absence of the other side).

The show's quite close to opening. It goes up September 19 (Happy birthday, Stefanie!) for a two-weekend run. Then we'll store selected pieces and re-use them in the Community Theater Festival that the Georgia Theater Conference puts up in October. Call (706) 208-TOWN for reservations.

Sept. 8, Year 3
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