Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: PETER PAN done without wires???

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Mr. Lowell
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Topic: PETER PAN done without wires???
Posted: 5/07/10 at 9:43am

Hello Directors,

this topic is an offshoot of my previous Set Design topic about the fly rigging issues with Peter Pan: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4604

My question to you all is: Has a professional theatre, community theatre, college or high school ever done a good production of Peter Pan WITHOUT USING FLY WIRES?

Can it be staged convincingly? Will the audience buy it?

Folks have seen Mary Martin and Cathy Rigby flying for decades. So will they "expect and demand" to see it in our production? Or, on the flipside, since the audience already has those famous movie images of "flying kids" in their minds, will it then be easier to fake it artistically, without wires?

I would like to hear your ideas for blocking actors and staging scenes effectively during the "flying" scenes without wires.

Thanks in advance. -Dana

Edited by Mr. Lowell - 5/07/10 at 11:01am

Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

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B-M-D
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Posted: 5/07/10 at 12:09pm

Personally I'd demand my money back if Peter Pan didn't fly no matter how good any other aspect of the production may be.

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard."

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brandiwb
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Posted: 5/07/10 at 3:42pm

Consider using puppets for the flying sequences or use theatre techniques like the ones highlighted in the movie "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen"

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Mr. Lowell
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Posted: 5/07/10 at 8:36pm

Originally posted by B-M-D

Personally I'd demand my money back if Peter Pan didn't fly no matter how good any other aspect of the production may be.

I appreciate your candor. That is quite a definative viewpoint! Yes, Peter Pan has a song about flying, so it would be like doing Grease without a car or Singing in the Rain without water.

But still, it would be nice to find out about any alternative ways of staging this show...

Thanks. Dana

Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

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Mr. Lowell
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Posted: 5/07/10 at 8:48pm

Originally posted by brandiwb

Consider using puppets for the flying sequences or use theatre techniques like the ones highlighted in the movie "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen"

Thanks Brandi. I am a fan of "Munchausen"...a very stylized film that is interesting to watch. But I don't recall the flying technique you are refering to.

Mr. Lowell,
Lighting/Set Designer & Tech Director,
for the Linda Sloan Theatre,
in the Davison Center for the Arts,
at Greensboro Day School

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JoeMc
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Posted: 5/07/10 at 9:28pm

I remember doing something similar, except it was for Aladins magic carpet.
The scene was acieved in blacklight [UV] with the luvvies balanced on a black table. They also incorporated an old Stand cloud effects latern, bounced off a reflector clth [cyc] US of a black scrim. To give the impression of flying thru the clouds.
I suppose the same could be worked projecting a Rosco Pro Image effect instead of the old Strand lantern.
http://www.strandarchive.co.uk/lanterns/p752.html
Patt.752 ;-

Edited by JoeMc - 5/07/10 at 9:39pm

[western] Gondawandaland
"Hear the light & see the sound!
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
{may you always play to a full house!}

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pdavis69
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Posted: 5/09/10 at 11:45am

This reminds me of a theatre who asked can "To Kill a Mockingbird" be done with an all white cast? The answer to both questions would be yes but poorly.

Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

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brandiwb
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Posted: 5/11/10 at 9:35am

Originally posted by Mr. Lowell

Originally posted by brandiwb

Consider using puppets for the flying sequences or use theatre techniques like the ones highlighted in the movie "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen"

Thanks Brandi. I am a fan of "Munchausen"...a very stylized film that is interesting to watch. But I don't recall the flying technique you are refering to.

Sorry - True, there's no actual flying in "Munchausen" but techniques like the water can be modified to suggest sky with movement and then to have your actors on something rolling that is hidden by the sky material. I think that can be quite effective.

Brandi

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Topper
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Posted: 5/26/10 at 1:32pm

My son's theater group did a VERY low-budget production of Peter Pan where all the kids wore "Heelies" (shoes with built-in roller skates in the heels.)
During the "flying" sequences, the kids glided across the stage very beautifully.
It was very effective and nobody demanded their money back. Of course, the audience consisted ENTIRELY of friends and family.

Edited by Topper - 5/26/10 at 1:32pm

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 6/11/10 at 4:15pm

This reminds me of a theatre who asked can "To Kill a Mockingbird" be done with an all white cast? The answer to both questions would be yes but poorly.

very good

Consider using puppets for the flying sequences

That sounds like it could be very effective - and quite beautiful and magical if executed well. I loved mixed media stuff in plays and find it enchanting - which is perfect for Peter Pan!

http://tristanrobin.blogspot.com

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