Shakespearian Tragedy

The problem with the curtain was quickly sorted out, but some situations are not so easily rectified. For instance, what is a performer to do when he finds himself trapped on the wrong side of the stage?

That particular dilemma faced the actor playing Ross in the following scene. As he waited to make his entrance from stage left, MacDuff turned to stage right, peered into the distance and asked, “See, who comes here?”

I like to think we made history that night: surely it was the first time that spectators at a Shakespearian play were heard to shout, ‘Look out, he’s behind you!’

The audience had scarcely settled down again by the time the scene reached its dramatic climax. Following a stirring call to action, Malcolm, Ross and MacDuff stormed from the stage, intent on returning forthwith to Scotland and putting manners on the villainous Macbeth.

No sooner had the trio disappeared from view than, as if on cue, a number of motorbikes were heard to rev up loudly in the street outside and roar off into the distance. Perhaps it is best to lower the curtain on the audience reaction that followed.

The whole experience came back to me recently - rather like the ghost of Banquo - when a flyer came through the letterbox advertising the latest production of our local amateur dramatic society. And the thought crossed my mind that maybe I should contact the society with a view to resuming my stage career.

After all, it’s been a long time since I was last bumped off. I’d forgotten how much fun it was.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic