The Glass Menagerie, done in theater in the round.
The Glass Menagerie would be an interesting play to do as theater in the round. It could be done, but it may not have the same impact as a regular proscenium stage performance.
For the scene described in the book, Amanda confronting her daughter Laura, just a few simple things are needed. There would have to be a chair for Laura to sit in, and a table next to it. A bowl of ornaments would sit on the table, as Laura polishes them at the beginning of the scene.
Farther away from this two objects would be a Victrola, or a mock up of one. The chair and table must be placed in the center of the stage, and the Victrola towards the edge of the stage. Such a placement would give the suggestion of a room, and add to the believability of the scene.
On the table there would be three objects: a typing chart, a Gregg Alphabet chart, and the yearbook. Granted, the charts are tacked to the wall usually, but it wouldn't take much to change that. Laura can hold the chart in her hands instead; it just has to be smaller.
Instead of entering from the fire escape, or backstage, Amanda would have to enter through the crowd. It wouldn't be that much of a problem, but it could look a little strange. If possible, it would be a good idea to put a door-frame at behind the chair. There wouldn't be a door in it, but the frame by itself gives the audience the idea that it's a doorway.
The one problem with doing The Glass Menagerie in the round are the images. By doing the play in the round there is no place to put a screen. The audience is on all sides of the stage and the view cannot be blocked. Without the screen the images of roses and typewriters would be eliminated. The absence of these images would remove the symbolism from this scene and detract from the emotional connection. The Glass Menagerie could be done in the round, but I wouldn't recommend it.
For the scene described in the book, Amanda confronting her daughter Laura, just a few simple things are needed. There would have to be a chair for Laura to sit in, and a table next to it. A bowl of ornaments would sit on the table, as Laura polishes them at the beginning of the scene.
Farther away from this two objects would be a Victrola, or a mock up of one. The chair and table must be placed in the center of the stage, and the Victrola towards the edge of the stage. Such a placement would give the suggestion of a room, and add to the believability of the scene.
On the table there would be three objects: a typing chart, a Gregg Alphabet chart, and the yearbook. Granted, the charts are tacked to the wall usually, but it wouldn't take much to change that. Laura can hold the chart in her hands instead; it just has to be smaller.
Instead of entering from the fire escape, or backstage, Amanda would have to enter through the crowd. It wouldn't be that much of a problem, but it could look a little strange. If possible, it would be a good idea to put a door-frame at behind the chair. There wouldn't be a door in it, but the frame by itself gives the audience the idea that it's a doorway.
The one problem with doing The Glass Menagerie in the round are the images. By doing the play in the round there is no place to put a screen. The audience is on all sides of the stage and the view cannot be blocked. Without the screen the images of roses and typewriters would be eliminated. The absence of these images would remove the symbolism from this scene and detract from the emotional connection. The Glass Menagerie could be done in the round, but I wouldn't recommend it.