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The Diviners

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1967
Printed Date: 5/20/24 at 7:39pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: The Diviners
Posted By: Thespian_4_ever
Subject: The Diviners
Date Posted: 8/12/06 at 12:32pm

I have a couple of things for this one...

I would love to see what everyone has done with this production for sets and lights...

I would also like to know what you think about maybe doing this production in the round?




Replies:
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 8/12/06 at 3:06pm

I saw a very powerful production of "The Diviners" years ago.  It has stuck with me for this long because of one thing:  sound design.

When the preacher takes the little boy to the river to overcome his fear of water, the boy "goes under" the water.  This was done on a highly-raked stage so the "shoreline" was at the top and the "river" was at the bottom. 

The presence of water was merely suggested by clever lighting (the rippling effect of lights off a swimming pool) and sound (the trickling and splashing of rushing water).

When the boy "goes under" the gentle trickling sound was suddenly and shockingly replaced as the audience was blasted by a mixture of sounds -- the muffled wailing, sloshing of water, muted voices, a heartbeat, etc -- all blended into a cacaphony that one would imagine hearing under water.  The other actors were literally "drowned out" by the noise.  The sound would cut out as the boy thrust his head "above water" and gasped for breath.  Then the sound would resume as he went under again.

It was horrifying, fascinating, absorbing and completely believable.  One audience member lept from his seat in an effort to save the drowning boy.

I'll never forget that play as long as I live!



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



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