Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Already?

I can't believe it is that time of year again, but so it goes. The time has come to generate a new play, but as of yet, not one brilliant idea has come to me. "Hamlet"? Everyone dies in the end. "Romeo and Juliet"? Likewise. "As You Like It"? Not a fan. "Midsummer"? Already done. My mind keeps drifting back to "King Lear." Though it is also one where the vast majority of the characters meet an untimely end, there seems to be comedic potential. But how to adapt it comedically in a meaningful way? What philosophical conundrum can I pose to my students and my audience? Perhaps I should revisit the idea of having two sides to the story... kind of like the movie "Sliding Doors" with Gwyneth Paltrow. What would have happened if Cordelia had just told Lear that she loved him? Would it all have turned out the same or would the story have a happy ending? The casting potential for such a project is intriguing. I could have two Cordelias, two Gonerils, two Regans, etc.

Or how about a courtroom drama? The tragic characters sue the comedic characters, or one accuses another of a crime, or Macbeth is put on trial for war crimes.

Hmmm. Nothing is really striking me as "the one." I have approximately a month before I make my proposal. Genius better knock me over the head soon.

1 comment:

  1. February 2011: Time to update with your new brilliant ideas and projects! Dad

    ReplyDelete