Music Metaphysics

This afternoon I met with Curtis Knecht to discuss music and sound for Lear. Curtis is a local actor/musician/arranger with a lot of experience working on Shakespeare--we semi-collaborated on a production of Midsummer Night's Dream several years ago (he played Oberon, I was the producer).

Before our meeting, I told myself, "Don't screw this up by putting your own ideas on the table too quickly. Just because you've been daydreaming about having a big percussion ensemble onstage doesn't mean that it's the right way to go." This lesson was particularly relevant when it came to sound and music, because I'm really rather naive about it. I don't know what's feasible, what's practical, and what's outrageously expensive. And besides, for all I knew, Curtis would decide that canned (ie. pre-recorded) classical music was the best way to go.

You can imagine my delight when the first words out of his mouth were, "Percussion ensemble." By the end of the meeting, we'd determined with reasonable confidence that the show should have two percussionists, plus maybe a guitarist (he knows a local guitarist who can throw a vast array of effects on his axe, making it sound like anything in the universe).

We also agreed that it would be cool to have the musicians onstage but separated from the action of the play--possibly above it, like the gods. And finally, Curtis seemed most intrigued with the idea that, of the three themes that keep cropping up, music should serve the metaphysical aspect of the play. Not only would it help to generate the thunder and lightning which Lear faces off against in his dark night of the soul, but it could also "speak" for the gods throughout the play--commenting on the action, as it were, or falling silent at those moments (like the climax) when even the gods themselves are struck dumb by the suffering of man.

It was, in short, a splendid preliminary meeting. I now have a confirmed set designer, costume designer, and sound designer. Lighting may still be up in the air (no pun intended). And I desperately need a stage manager (any thoughts, dear readers? Someone who can afford to give up four months of their lives this winter?). But, all in all, I'd say things are looking great.