We have had 6 weeks to get together this Halloween event and try to turn a cinematic experience into a theatrical one. I think when I started adapting Robert Bloch’s’ screenplay for the stage, I thought that some kind of theatre magic would take a very literal story and make it a Peter Brook/Theatre De Complicité/DV8‘event’ that would shake the very core of performance itself…not the case I’m afraid!
A film has the ability to do quick cuts and create a real world with surroundings and settings but to transfer that onto the stage throws up so many tricky elements that have to be incorporated and sidestepped. We have a fairly simple set and staging but the technical aspect of this production is going to be massive! Traditionally, Whole Hog has come from the ‘Poor Theatre’ school of thought with ‘Bare boards and a passion’ where the acting and the words take centre stage and design and technical support that in a very small way. However, in order to help create an atmosphere sound effects and lighting will very much come to the fore and will be just as vital in telling the story as the actor’s performances.
That’s not to say there aren’t some great acting moments within ‘Asylum’! Bloch was written very OTT characters in places and our actors certainly bring that element to it. The majority of the actors are also playing more than one role so it gives them the opportunity to try our different accents, physicality and wigs!
So, next week brings our tech and dress followed by the two performances. And what have I learnt in doing this project? The next time I adapt a very literal screenplay either completely change it to suit the stage or just grab a digital camera and remake the film!
Tickets still available! See you there!