1.1: Father Knows Best

The first scene is blocked! Well, mostly blocked; we were a few bodies short this afternoon, so those who were absent will have to catch up, especially to figure out where they belong in the grand entrance and exit. But everything else appears to be in place.

The daughters and their husbands/suitors are all spread out along the circumference of the stage, so that Lear has a great big space to move around in. He pretty much leads the movement, until Cordelia drops the first bomb on him, invading his space and making him retreat. From there, the pretty, balanced tableau begins to crumble, until the characters are either splayed out along the back walls or clustered desperately around the throne, clutching at straws of power.

I had a lot of fun blocking the tail end of the scene, between the bitter sisters (and I think I will throw Edmund into the mix as well, just to heat things up). Liz blocked the first unit, between Kent, Gloster, Edmund, and Emilia (the servant whom Edmund is shagging behind the throne before the lights come up). I think it will be a most arresting opening for our play, letting the audience know nice and early that A) this Lear will not be like other Lears, and B) they can laugh if they want to.