Vienna - Page 9

Question 1

“Darkness.” - How can we design this scene?

Answer 1

Starting in a complete blackout - immediate sense of tension built
leaving the audience ‘in the dark’ about what is to come (Everybody in the dark about how Mozart truly died)

Question 2

“In the wheelchair, with his back to us, sits an old man.” - How could you design this scene?

Answer 2

• Have Salieri be alone on-stage facing away from the audience - Isolationism (Brook = Mr So Alone)
• A single bright red spotlight right above Salieri’s head - Theatre of Cruelty (Artaud = Mr Spooky)

Question 3

“Savage whispers fill the theatre.” - How would you direct this scene?

Answer 3

• Have the ensemble scattered all across the theatre (down the ailses, in the balconys, backstage, etc.) - immediate feelings of tension created as it is uncear where the whispering is coming from
• Utlilise multimedia and have whispers bouncing around on surround-sound speakers - “