tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886378560573423292.post7441087249548292712..comments2022-11-20T05:55:39.800-06:00Comments on The@er: The Strangest Mechanic in IrelandBenedict Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00933067323059541654noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886378560573423292.post-2105805528432370692009-05-09T23:45:00.000-05:002009-05-09T23:45:00.000-05:00I think so too, BJ, who wouldn't want to look at M...I think so too, BJ, who wouldn't want to look at Matt DeCaro? But really we're not looking at the "upcoming" scene at all, we're looking at the <I>current</I> one which Matt's entrance begins, and I think that's important. And I think (as you do) that it's structurally vital that people see the trap door -- the show wouldn't work as elegantly without that. <br /><br />I think my point still holds in general, but you point out the other means of creating negative space in the theater, and actually the most essentially theatrical of them all: upstaging. Upstaging is the nullification of the majority of the playing space by means of highlighted activity in a concentrated area. In this instance, crew business is masked by actor activity. We are also fortunate enough to have a music cue (my favorite one in the play) and a light cue to help draw attention to Matt's getting his poteen, but I think even without these aids, Matt's acting, his familiarity, and his revelation of a mystery would be significantly more remarkable than my brisk and unassuming theft. If I did twirl my mustache, though, or as I've been threatening, if I looked around furtively before taking the bike, I might be able to attract a little more attention.<br /><br />All I really mean to draw attention to for now, though, is the construction of invisibility in the public eye. This is a remarkable trick and one, seriously, that we completely take for granted in the theater. If Cori and I appeared onstage in our coveralls doing some stage crewish business even just once before scene five I think there would be no question at all that we would establish my entrance as invisible. Even if (and this is amazing) later in the play crew members were evident, it would retroactively nullify my appearance. As it stands, you're right, we've used a great combination of other means to make me invisible, but by testing the imagination in this way, we hold out the brief possibility of my existence. This is, for me, understandably exciting. <br /><br />Thanks for posting, BJ.Benedict Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00933067323059541654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3886378560573423292.post-69206242058259375392009-05-09T22:00:00.000-05:002009-05-09T22:00:00.000-05:00We're looking at the upcoming scene Benno, Matt co...We're looking at the upcoming scene Benno, Matt coming on to get his Poteen...sorry...if it distracted I would have had Kelly throw it down the vom and destroy it. It was under consideration believe me.<br />Keep up the Good work though.<br />Love,<br />BeejBJ Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13555961377506255640noreply@blogger.com