A question about adapting a play (poll) - all opinions greatly needed and appreciated

[gothbabe]

An issue rolling over in my head recently and I would be most grateful for as many opinions as possible. One of the plays I would like to present in my production is The Zoo Story by Edward Albee. This is a famous play and it is set in Central Park, New York City, USA at the end of the 1950s

Comments

[squiddity]

There's nothing wrong with adapting plays to fit your cast/scenery/audience.
But in this case, I don't think it needs it - especially as most of your audience will be British.
People will still see the place as American and their willing suspension of disbelief will make the rest of it work.

[gothbabe]

Ok thanks very much. It's been a bit of a worry for me as I don't know how the purists will take it and chances are most of the public audience which isn't goths, will be coming specifically to see Zoo Story. Sure, I'd love to say it's because of my piece but people will know Albee's name.

Andy Ravensable blew me away last night. He nailed his part and I completely didn't expect that after all the "professionals" coming through the door and totally not getting it. One guy was even in Vera Drake (Mike Leigh's latest Academy Award winning movie), however he just didn't get it.

Ed was good too although we will need to work a bit on it. I told him this so it's not bad for me to say this. Anyway, thanks for the opinion. A x

[thepaintedone]

Some people get very anal about this sort of thing, but any performance is an adaption so I see no problem with it providing the final output is internally coherant and works.

e.g. I just saw the new version of War of the Worlds yesterday, which has been transported from Surrey to New York State. But the fundamentals of the story are still there, and it was consistent and enjoyable, so it didn't bother me at all (great film by the way, well worth seeing).

Saying all that, having a set of English accents in New York isn't very consistent. If you do it I'd suggest one of two approaches.

1. Adapt the play so it is set in London instead, then the accents are consistent. Don't know if this is possible.

2. Just completely ignore the issue and play it with english accents.

I think trying to create some reason why the characters have English accents will just draw attention to the issue and come over as an obvious device.

[gothbabe]

Thanks for the opinion. This is very useful. I was wondering what would happen if we adapted it from NYC to London, but we'd have to re-write a large bit of dialog ; ) So many lines are like "yes sir", "hey buddy" etc etc. I may give it a go but probably not.

So I'll either do it like you suggest of just have the English accents or add in a couple of lines about why they are Brits in the US. I'm glad that purists won't mind too much about this.

As for War of the Worlds, I had no idea it was set in Surrey. I went and saw it and I liked it! I always thought it was set in America as I've never read the book. So yes, adaptations can work. Cheers!

[bluehelen]

I say sod it and just do it with english accents, but this has more to do with my dislike (with a few notable exceptions) of american accents than my theatrical opinions!

[neonchameleon]

What on earth is wrong with adapting famous plays?

[gothbabe]

cool thanks. your opinion matters and also look forward to getting your cv. I think this will be a good production. Ironically, it will be an all-goth production too! tee hee!

[madderz]

Now I'm no expert, who wants to be, and ex is a has-been, and a spurt is a squirt under pressure, but people do tend to get quite prissy about such things, but there will always be puriststs in any artistic field.

It's like people feel that they own a play, or a story, I've heard so much bad press about the recent Star Wars movie for example, saying things like it shouldn't have been done that way, or whatever.

Personally I say stick with your adaptation, the author isn't actually putting on the show, you are, in London.

so you might get some bad press... 'am I bovvered', but then you will also probably get good press, unless you totally suck of course :P

Anyway, you might want to make it clear, or suggested in your press that it is an adaptation, but that's all you should do.

Be the artist, don't bow to the popularists.

:-)

[gothbabe]

thanks for the encouragement. my head is still spinning from all this. ; / but you are right!