Theater of The Mind

Subject: Theater of The Mind Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:21 pm

I've been putting together a theatrical show for some time now, & am still undecided on my approach.
In theory, I would like to actually portray the character & present the show as if the audience was in the chamber of a well-known English Astrologer, mathematician, & Cartographer. The thing is, the audience would be paying to see a theatrical show & I wonder about the impact of the effects being presented in this fashion. By theatrics, I mean the set would look like a room in a 15th- 16th century English Castle, etc. I have the opening script & the basic outline down. The effects are strong & time will tell which will be the best to keep for the character. Have any of you attempted a show like this? Was it well recieved? Thanks for the feedback.
Cheers.
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Sapere Aude

Subject: Re: Theater of The Mind Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:40 pm

Really like the idea Scott, think it would be a great show piece.
If you promote it right your audience will be expecting what ever you want them to expect.

I don't think the effects will lose any impact either. If I remember rightly in Jim Steinmyer's book "Hiding the elephant" he talks about the old music hall era and how Devant or Maskaleyne had a show going against J M Barries "Peter Pan" And how Maskaleyne falsely believed people wouldn't go for "peter pan" because the effects were no competition, and in his opinion crudely done.... the kids flew with big harnesses and thick wire instead of his shows fine wire levatations etc...

Anyway.. i'll try and get to the point..

"The audiences were willing to ignore the wire that held up peter pan because of the inherent magic of the story. On that level Maskelyne simply couldn't compete"

So i guess i'm trying to say is do the thing that is most magical for the audience, no matter how you get there.. but love the idea.

Andy
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The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.

Philip K Dick

Andy Stephenson Website

Neophyte Joined : 16 Mar 2008 Posts : 24

I think if the audience is involved then you will have a winner.

I too have been working on a magical play i am writing for my daughter. Its about a storyteller, a real life neverending story if you will.

Let us know how this works out for you, i too am interested in peoples experiences with this type of Magic.

Subject: Re: Theater of The Mind Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:19 pm

Thanks, Andy. I'm glad you like the idea. This will be a mentalist style show, so not much in the way of 'magic' but it has it's upbeat & suspenseful moments including pre-closing effect that borders on the bizarre, the last one will be light hearted & let the audience leave with a smile. - At least, that's my goal. I'll keep you guys posted as it goes. Any other tips, feedback or just general comments are are welcome as this is new ground for me to tread into. Who knows? It may be turn out to be something better than I can imagine. Very Happy

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Sapere Aude