CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN

Production Note | volume of smoke

Between twenty and thirty minutes before the start of the show, around about the same time the house is ready to open—one actor should situate himself directly outside the main entrance to the theatre, clearly agitated, trying with very little success of entering inside. He should move himself around those members of the audience making their way through the front door. The majority of this should be done in silence, whatever discourse relegating itself to simple bits of dialogue—such as, "I've got to go back inside" or "Candice? Candice?" repeated over and over again.

The desired effect is to create the atmosphere of the building being enveloped in fire. The man, having escaped—is now increasingly aware of the fact that a loved one, his wife or daughter, is still trapped inside.  

   Contributor's notes