The play in question is called Trifles for a reason and in my opinion it would be a mistake to
stage this play with minimal props and set. The play is based on small details
that the men miss, but the women notice and pick up on. I feel this would be
very hard to communicate with abstract neutrally colored props. One of my
favorite quotes from the text is when Mrs. Hale says, “You know, it seems kind
of sneaking. Locking her in the town and then coming out here and trying to get
her own home to turn against her!” This line was very powerful to me, and with
no real home/set this line would fall flat. Also, since Minnie is never seen in
the play her house has to act as a representative of her.
In the proposal it is suggested that with the bare set this
will force the audience to “focus on the people and, not the things.” The
audience will have to pay more attention to the text. I believe this to be
false. When reading the play we follow the women who are finding all of these
small details in the set and as a reader I was focusing on the details too and
trying to figure it out along with them. With all of the props onstage it
allows the audience to be invested in the action of the play.
There are a few positive effects that minimal set and props
could have on the play. For instance this play would be difficult to set in a
more modern time. Notice I say difficult not impossible, I believe it could be
done. But, with a bare set the play could become timeless.
I still stand strong by my statement that Trifles should be staged with a full set
and props.
I completely agree with your response. I wrote about similar things in my response, but what stood out in yours is the use of quotes from the play. I really liked how you used Mrs. Hale’s quote in your first paragraph. It really backs up your argument. I also agree that staging Trifles with a minimal set is doable, but also quite difficult. I really enjoyed this response, it is very persuasive and informative.
ReplyDeleteAlthough in my blog post i talked about the benefits of producing "Trifles" with a minimalistic set, I think Chelsea has a great point. After discussing this play further in class, it's clear that the set and props are crucial to the plot. The action basically cannot be furthered without it, and I think Chelsea is spot on when she says that it helps to flesh out Minnie's character.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with your opinion on neutral props and a neutral set diminishing the play and that the meaning of the play would be difficult to convey with neutral props. Yay quotes! I agree and I think I mentioned in my response as well that the house and the things in it are literal representations of the character the play centers on but we never get to meet; therefore, a detailed house is necessary to show who she is. I agree that a neutral set and neutral props would make the play easier to be in modern times but would not serve the playwright’s intent as well. Great job, great textual evidence.
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