Albatross Play Analysis

Each element gave the stage a different feel that matched every scene , complementing each brilliantly. The only element that lacked for me was lights, although very bright ; in my opinion the reoccurring blue wasn't the best option. I feel if the lighting designer would have had more warmer colored lights against the already vibrant set pieces, it would have made the stage pop more. But one thing i did particularly fancy, were the costumes the characters wore and how they fit each character. Each character's’ costume showed the dichotomy between the personalities and tastes of each individual. For example Ilona played by Jane Krakowski was dressed in a scarlet / pinkish dress with a high slit up the left side; showing her seductive character type. Meaning when i saw Ilona on stage, I immediately knew who i was looking at . Lastly the sound effects included , like the door jingle sound or The bike bell , added to the whole idea of being inside and outside of a retail building. These effects gave the stage an outdoorsy feel , drawing you in , giving the audience illusions of really being in 1930’s

I will be honest with you I had a lot of trouble enjoying the play, like I said the dialect gave me trouble, plus my seats were not that great. I did however like the movie quite a bit, but I realize I am a product of a different generation as well. I have been brought up around TV and movies rather than plays

The scenes and props complimented the attire of the performers, blending together create a magnificent display. The scenery was realistic enough to afford the viewer an escape into depths of the show. The setting was beautiful and the structures almost lifelike, excepting the absence of a front screen door. It seems that almost all plays and television shows I have viewed neglect this detail. The stage lighting played a key role in the show by setting the mood of the performance during soulful, pensive songs. In contrast, the lighting proved to be a detriment by overbearing the performance of the artists, in that one’s attention was drawn to the glare of extreme quantities of makeup rather than the actions of the characters. This was most notable during the final portions of the production.

The light was clear and soft. When there was morning in the play, the light was yellow and bright. However, when there was night shown the lights were dark, but clear to see all the actors. The light could appear in some part and disappear in other. Also, the light was slowly and soft moving from morning light to night light. As for the sound, it was soft. Everything was heard well, and there were no sound defects. The sound effects were also good. In the play there could be heard shots in the part of the war. Also, there was a part with coach when Roxane came, and there was heard the horses and moving coach.

Using certain shapes of materials and color helped the audience understand the scenery of the play, being able to understand what time period this took place. The lighting through the play was great, being able to clearly see in detail for each scene. For example, when the Stage manager introduces the people in Grover's Corner, is was clear and easy to see what type of life style they live. Grisel Torres did an excellent job with the angles, colors, and shadows throughout the play, really emphasizing the emotion and lighting for each scene. Allison Mortimer, the costume designer, did a good job figuring out what each character should wear and allowing the audience to decide which class each character fits in society. The costumes looked like they were somewhat middle class and even looked vintage at times. I wasn't sure if they were recreated or not. Changing costumes for different scenes made it easier to understand the aspect of the scene and allowing the audience to understand what will happen.

The set was one of my favorite elements of the whole entire show! The floor was painted to look like marble and there were columns erected on a spinning platform. The director, Josie Rourke, used this set brilliantly and really gave us strong moments through the blocking in the show. The costumes and the time felt placed in a very modern time while using the original text. This was a nice contrast and even though it started off weird it ended up meshing together smoothly. I thought this show was amazing and there was not anything that stood out to me or made me dislike in anyway.

There were also several technical difficulties with sound cues which would confuse the audience each time. On a positive note, the play was easy to understand. The audience always knew where to look. The lighting effects were well done through out. For example, the choice of a dim yellow light efficiently set the mood.

I truly did feel a little panicked between the dim lights, the cannons going off that were filled with cotton and confetti. When it comes to theatre when one person says lights you automatically think of sound. This show, while it did not have many sound effects, it did have a few moments where the music would set the mood during particular scenes. One of the sound effects used were bird whistles. The whistles were extremely accurate to that of a bird’s chirp and helped give the illusion that there were physically birds in the room. Another tool used that was used during this show was the harp. The harp helped give the audience a sense of eeriness whenever the harp was played after the name M’Closky was spoken. All three of these scenic elements would not go very well unless they had a set to focus everything around. The set was very detailed; however, it was simple. There were only two stationary moving pieces which consisted of the dock and the backdrop. I think that the simplicity of the set did the show justice because it did not take away from the meaning the play invoked in the audience. The set had few scenic pieces such as movable vanities, crates, and chairs, which were not all on at the same time.

All of the settings were appropriate for every scene during the play. The time period and locale of the play was overall supported with the setting. The setting helped along the production without dominating the entire show. Everything put on stage was easily usable for the performers. For example, when there was a transition from one area of the set to another, the actors were all able to either climb to or from the second floor to the first

Majority of the references to the stories wouldn’t be able to be grasped, if the audience member didn’t read the books that were mentioned. The set was pretty basic, it looked more like an office , than a living room. I did like the digital projection that was done before each scene of the play. It was as if each part of the play was a chapter of a book, rather than a scene. I loved the small skits that each character did, before each part of the play. The skits added a little flare to the play. The book club wasn’t the type of play I would choose to see on my own. The actors’ acting seemed forced at times and I would not go see this play a second time around. I would recommend this play to my friends , because although it seems dull to me , some of them might actually find it

The set design was beautiful and colorful. The actors were able to use all of the space provided and there was not one space not used. The set design was not too distracting to the play and you were able to focus on the actors. The set design contributed to the mood of the play with its bright, spunky colors and the rolling-trees used made the set menacing when it needed to be. The set is symbolic with “Sleepy Hollow

This play is probably one of the best out of all of them. It was so realistic I bet if you brought people to walk around I bet they would think is was a mini city. Moving forward to the costumes. The costumes suited this play very well. I think the reason why is that the they were very complex and matched the characters personality which also suited the time period really well. For example: Buddy Holly’s big thick glasses. Not only did Buddy Holly’s glasses make a huge impact but, the planned music and sounds did too making it somewhat

Liars, written by Dennis Foon, is a contemporary play that involves two contrasting teenagers dealing with similar problems. The play begins with the two main characters, Jace and Lenny, in a typical highschool classroom. Jace has a very ‘tough’ like attitude while Lenny is the opposite, she is a very innocuous person. It continues with the two very unlike characters figuring out they both share an unseen secret; their alcoholic parents. This story illustrates the impact of alcoholic and dysfunctional parents on their children.

The set was in platforms and was painted with a sad grey but it was beautiful. Being on the technical side of the play (assistant stage manager) the opportunity to watch the play grow into a wonderful production was given to me. The actors went well with the stage and set. They manipulated their way through the pits whilst they had benches and tables with them. They also were remarkable on the fast scene changes and costume changes as well.

The lighting of any production is the most important part in my thought. the lighting puts you in the mood that you have to be in, in order to fully understand that part of the show and to actually live it like they do. For example, when they were in the park and it was raining, they had their umbrellas, and the background effects of rain made it really seem as if it was raining in the theatre. The lighting was always focused on every part of the stage, especially on those who were the main parts in that scene.