Barrel Roll Call

Stopped in early this morning for a peek at the set (lots of long beams leaning at impossible angles--it's going to be a real winner), and to help Doug and John Y. with props.

Doug is an expert carpenter, and he'd already designed and created a barrel for us to use during the stocks scene. The barrel is nearly round, but two or three planks have been left out, and the inner supports sheared flat, so that it won't roll or buckle when Kent stands on it. We discussed the other component in our unique stocks: a pair of manacles, which will drop down from the lighting grid to hold Kent's arms up over his head. Oddly enough, Walterdale has some manacles in its props storage, but they will need to be equipped with safety catches, so that the actor can escape from them if the barrel breaks or slips (nothing worse than leaving an actor dangling in the air with no lines to deliver).

I left the two props guys cheerfully designing stools, adjusting tables, and attempting to build bows. I'm sure glad there are people in the world (and in the theatre commmunity) who enjoy these sorts of practical challenges, because I'm all thumbs when it comes to construction.