The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 16.0035  Monday, 10 January 2005

From:           D Bloom <
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Date:           Saturday, 8 Jan 2005 11:48:43 -0600
Subject:        Small Cast Productions

Awhile ago, mention was made of successful productions of S's plays
using very small casts. I would like to get some information from those
who have seen such productions:

1. How extensively was the script cut?

2. How were doubled characters differentiated? What kind of costuming
and make-up was used?

In reference to 2, I can see several problems. In ordinary doubling, the
actors have a fair amount of time to change costume and make-up.
Occasionally, they would have to be frenzied. But it appears to me that
with a small cast you would have constant frenzied changes. True?

Were the cast members uniformly young (on the assumption that it's
easier for a younger person look old and than an older look young)? Were
the men clean-shaven so that they could put on various beards and
mustaches to differentiate the characters. That sort of thing.

3. What plays have people seen produced in successful small-cast
versions? Are there plays that appear to be impossible?

Thanks,
don

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