During class time, we practiced different exercises concerning our readings, in specific, Waiting for Godot, by Samuel Beckett. After reading a couple of scenes the class was asked to act out scenes in our groups as written, then we were asked to change the mood of the scenes. After the process was complete we were asked to answer questions based on the different moods and whether is changes the meaning/context of the original text.
Being an actor, I already knew the answer before the exercise was performed, although, unlike my classmates, many didn’t know the outcome so I tried to explain. If a scene is written as performed it holds certain meaning, when changed, the meaning changes. For example, if a scene is written in a somber and dark attitude it is to be performed that way. But, if the producer or director wanted to change the original mood and make the dark play light and happy, it would change the meaning and give the dialog comic relief. To go further, the recent production I was in wan entitled, “Jane Eyre: The Musical” at Southeastern University. The musical is written in a dark eerie tone with the music to match, although it does have a strong message of hope, faith, and trust in God, if you were to change the music and the context in which it was written it would change the meaning of the play.
I do believe plays should keep the mood that the playwright intended. I am not against experimenting, but it is to a certain degree. Theatre is such a beautiful art on one should not cater to what the audience wants but deliver the true of the art and then, maybe, modern audiences will develop and appreciation of true art and literature on stage.
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I wonder how you feel about Shakespearean adaptions if you feel that the original intentions of the playwright should be kept intact. clearly, classical pieces are adapted often without direct consent from the playwright, but i do think its a good thing. allow adaptions, even to the extent of altering the intent. isint the whole amazing thing about art the interpretation. i personally feel that art is more than the artist, and if the artist has provided a solid platform in structure and diolauge, then i see no reason why a compelling adaption should offend the playwright if the point of art is interpretation.
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