A well on stage?

[ahocknul04]

Currently we're working on a production called Shooting Truth from Connexions 2011. Now, prop wise, this is a very simple play! Most of the actors carry on their props. However, at the end of the play one of the actors needs to fall down a well.. Yes, that's right. Now, I first

said about using stage deck and have them fall backward onto a mat. But the director didn't like this idea thinking it to be too "Cheesy" and staged. (He doesn't like the easy option!) So, how's best about building a well that an actor can fall down on stage? Without hurting themself.

 

 

Any feedback on this will be very much appreciated!

 

Thanks

 

 

Ally.

[paulears]

If the stage actually is made from deck, then whip the ply of one and replace it with one you can fit a trap to.

If the stage is solid, then you need to think about how a magician would do it - so maybe a small hump, grass covered and the well on top, with a simple chute so when you drop down you slide quickly down into the hump. If you can get the actor's legs and bum on the floor, the top of the well need only be tall enough to cover his head. Cheesyness comes from the actor using it badly.

[ahocknul04]

If the stage actually is made from deck, then whip the ply of one and replace it with one you can fit a trap to.

If the stage is solid, then you need to think about how a magician would do it - so maybe a small hump, grass covered and the well on top, with a simple chute so when you drop down you slide quickly down into the hump. If you can get the actor's legs and bum on the floor, the top of the well need only be tall enough to cover his head. Cheesyness comes from the actor using it badly.

 

 

Thank you sir! The studio has no set stage. The performance space is to however we set the rake up. So basically. It will be as to as normal it is set up. Then the stage is built with the Lite Deck. So I could give some design ideas to the director and try and make everyone's life easier. One thing's for sure is he very much so likes the idea of having a fogger in the well running on a low output. With a fan to push the smoke out a bit more. Could be an interesting one with pictures to follow this show.

 

 

Thanks again!

[ImagineerTom]

Remind the director that this is theatre and that "pretending" is an important part of the experience for the audience. They're prepared to accept stylised, idealistic and made-up stuff for all the other elements of the performance so could actually look rather odd if this one piece of the performance is literal.

 

If he's obsessed with "falling" down a well then refer him to the Javert Suicide scene in LesMis (where he jumps off a bridge in to a raging river) - a beautiful piece of pure theatrical magic that leaves the audience in absolutely no doubt as to what has happened but which costs about 20p to actually do.

[Jivemaster]

First think how the talent is going to "fall in" -a well with the usual brick wall is hard to enter without climbing. Falling in by sitting on the wall would usually mean the talent bangs his head and back which may not be a good option.

 

How are you going to extract the talent for curtain calls.

[DrV]

I think the key to this illusion is sound - a long scream with tons of reverb and suitable EQ. So long as the talent goes out of sight in a convincing manner the audience should fill in the rest

Dave

[Robin D]

And if its panto (This isn't I know), have someone in the traps with a water gun to send a spray of water towards the audience as the warm prop hits the bottom. ;)

[ahocknul04]

Remind the director that this is theatre and that "pretending" is an important part of the experience for the audience. They're prepared to accept stylised, idealistic and made-up stuff for all the other elements of the performance so could actually look rather odd if this one piece of the performance is literal.

 

If he's obsessed with "falling" down a well then refer him to the Javert Suicide scene in LesMis (where he jumps off a bridge in to a raging river) - a beautiful piece of pure theatrical magic that leaves the audience in absolutely no doubt as to what has happened but which costs about 20p to actually do.

 

He's fixated on falling. I told him to watch Les Mis funnily enough with the strobe and flying out the set. Although we cannot literally build a well and fly it out with a strobe as that's copying. I'm only the LD and opp, but seen as this is a small scale production I'm also constructing set with our DSM and Sound Opp.

The actor is meant to be pushed in, as she's supposedly a witch meaning back in the 17th century anyone that was thought to be a witch was swum. Under the thought that water rejects servants of satan. Perhaps we could construct the front half of a well, so when the actors push her in she only falls onto a mat or something

and use LX to help aid this.

 

First think how the talent is going to "fall in" -a well with the usual brick wall is hard to enter without climbing. Falling in by sitting on the wall would usually mean the talent bangs his head and back which may not be a good option.

 

How are you going to extract the talent for curtain calls.

 

 

The actor is pushed in. But this creates a whole new level of problems for us. I think the director is thinking way to literal and not so much about perhaps the practicality on what he wants and some of the safety issues this may create.