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The Importance of Being Earnest
Mashal NathaniSohni Shaikh
Dusheena YazdaniSindhia Khowaja
Choosing a Script
The Importance of being Earnest
Themes Keeping up appearances in
society is more important than actually being earnest.
Marriage is a social tool based on reputation and financial background
Leading dual lives is the common norm of modern life in order to keep appearances
The Importance of Being Earnest
This play is a satire; the tone is mocking and involves comedic elements and so the mood is light and airy
This play takes place during 1895 in London partly in the country and partly in the town › The Garden at the Manor House in Act II is sunlit,
old-fashioned, and rose filled› The Drawing-room in Act III is a light and airy
room Interior settings are lit in a different manner than
exterior settings
This play is a unrealistic drama that does not fall into the social “norm”.
No one marries a person based on their first name.
This leads into the satirizing of the characters, and making fun of how they want to marry someone because of the name. Ex: Gwendolyn desiring to marry a man of the name Ernest.
Period › Victorian Era
Play revolves around a farce of some of the Victorian era values such as hypocrisy, arbitrary honesty, and lack of moral constraints
Remains true to original meaning of script
Central Image› A central image or metaphor representing the
play› Could be done through Set design:
Have a mirror image set to represent double life concept
Casting Ernest/Jack Worthing
› Colin Firth
Algernon Moncrieff› Ed Westwick
He is able to play aristocratic roles very well and carries a British accent.
Casting Gwendolen Fairfax
› Keira Knightley
Cecily Cardew› Reese Witherspoon
Lady Bracknell› Julie Andrews
Casting
Rev. Chasuble› Paxton Whitehead
Lane› Edward Fox
Ms. Prism› Maggie Smith
Spine of the Play Main conflict:
› Both men have two reasons to lead double lives: Wanting to marry their respective lovers Escaping Victorian Era social responsibilities
Style of Production
Selective Realism › Resembles Victorian Era life and customs
but one thing is not accurate: The desire to marry someone with the name
Ernest is too unrealistic.
Creating the physical production requires the director to work closely with set, costume, light, scene, and sound designers, and actors. › To ensure the main themes and purpose of
the play is consistent in all elements.› To cast the parts and rehearse
Props
the couch is an important factor because the idea of sitting down is mentioned.
significant set pieces include: a plate of cucumber sandwiches, a cigarette case
Practical Design Problems
Problem: the size not being big enough.
solution: measure the dimensions of the performing space then accommodate to those needs and set pieces. Make sure the sight lines are clear so that no area of the space that you want being noticed is ignored when a the production is playing.
Practical Design Problems
Problem: the set is not how it was pictured
solution: the set designers should be present when the design and setting is being constructed. They are the ones who designed it and know the details concerning the set.
Practical Design Problems
Problem: Not having enough time.
solution: Easy, get started right away. Don’t procrastinate. The set design is all a major part of the show. Know how things are going to be built and be one step ahead of the game.
The set pieces should also contribute to the whole of the play and collaboration with the other team members is important with this
The Use of Light
Lighting is essential to theatre; it adds feeling and substance to a play and heightens the quality of the setting and understanding for the audience.
It provides emphasis when needed, maintaining the kinesthetic connection between audience and theatre
Adds visibility; shape and form; focus and composition; mood and style; and time and place
The Aspects of Lighting
The intensity of this play would differ; the dimmers would be use in transitions between Acts in the town and country› The daylight scenes would
take place in bright, warm light
› The light would be dimmed for the town scene To the right is an example
of the Manor Lighting
©http://sarahlambert.squarespace.com/picture/cu%20earnest%201.jpg?pictureId=6180036&asGalleryImage=true
Colour The colors of the lighting would most
likely be warm for the scenes in the garden and outdoors and a bit cooler and dimmer for the indoor scenes
©http://www.rosebrand.com/images/portfolio/Earnest-Curtains.jpg
©http://sarahlambert.squarespace.com/picture/cu%20earnest%202.jpg?pictureId=6180037&asGalleryImage=true
Stage Lighting for the Play
The soft-edged spotlight could be used for this play
For example, the Fresnel to the right, can be flooded to cover the stage area
©http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/spotlight/halogen-lamp-fresnel-projectors-theatre-56998-691870.html
Automated or Moving Light
An automated or moving light is very versatile and could be used for this play because it can focus, change color, change the size of the beam, and change focus
This could be helpful when transition from Act II to Act III (the indoor to outdoor setting change)
Ex. Barco automated light to the right
©http://previewcf.turbosquid.com/Preview/2012/01/08__07_21_19/Barco%20Digital%20Automated%20Light%20moving%20head%20luminaire%20stage%20lighting%20dj%20spot%20projector%20lamp%20theatre%20light%20disco%20dance%20floor%20spotloght%20equipment%200001.jpg5a318c33-badd-4e13-bbdd-e62c7e907e11Large.jpg
The style of the play will be very expensive and high class as the characters all come from a wealthy status- including expensive looking materials such as silk and embroidery.
The costumes will include jewelry and hats, as well as items such as pocket watches.
The clothing will be of the Victorian era.
Clothing for Characters
The clothing for Cecily, Gwendolyn, Jack, Algernon, and Lady Bracknell will be extravagant and elegant.
Clothing for the lesser characters will be less as extravagant but still expensive looking as majority of them come from the same class.
However, for characters such as Miss Prism, Reverend Chausable and Lane will be of a lower class.
It would be easier for the men to change because their clothes are less restrictive, and could essentially keep the same shirt and pants- only having to change their coats with the accessories attached pre-production.
The women would be harder to change as their clothing is tight and many layers.
