The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 18.0405 Friday, 22 June 2007
From: Anne Cuneo <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Thursday, 21 Jun 2007 22:03:26 +0200
Subject: 18.0395 How long to write a play?
Comment: Re: SHK 18.0395 How long to write a play?
I've tried to think about this. I have written between 15 and 20 plays.
Most took me weeks or months because there was research to be done, i.e.
a play about the day the Swiss Army shot at its own citizens who were
demonstrating against Fascism in Geneva, the only time this ever
happened - 13 dead. It took place in November 1932, and in 1992 when I
wrote my play, I tried to find a couple of surviving witnesses. I did.
Lots of work. On the other hand I once wrote a plays which has been
played so many times I cannot count them, actors and public alike love
it, in one single night - it was urgently needed the next day.
I find the question of how long one needs difficult to answer.
I always wondered how long it took Shakespeare, or Marlowe, to write
those historical plays which show a profound knowledge of English
History. They were always pressed for time, but those plays needed a lot
of reading - or maybe not, maybe the story of Henry IV was common
knowledge. But there too, it's difficult to answer.
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