tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22162107.post114117150224313031..comments2023-06-27T06:37:24.566-07:00Comments on Stage Whispers: Casting QuestionsScott Sharplinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18183998880273139754noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22162107.post-1141269957871824172006-03-01T19:25:00.000-08:002006-03-01T19:25:00.000-08:00One of the interesting paradoxes of Shakespeare is...One of the interesting paradoxes of Shakespeare is that, lacking most of the visual resources of our modern theatre, he was often forced to find creative ways to tell, not show. This dramatic challenge is what yielded most of his great poetry (and is also what makes his plays so hard to adapt into film, a visual medium--but I digress).<BR/><BR/>In <I>Henry V</I>, the Chorus says, "Since a crooked figure may / Attest, in little place, a million ... let us ... On your imaginary forces work." I disagree with scholars on the meaning of "crooked figure" (they think it means "zero"); this is clearly about one actor playing many parts, or standing in for many people.<BR/><BR/>"Into a thousand parts divide one man." If I can get this sort of imaginary fission working in the audience's minds, then I shouldn't need puppets or multi-media tricks. I guess I'm just nervous about having two or three ragged spear-carriers tromping across the stage. "<I>That's</I> the greatest army in history?!"Scott Sharplinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18183998880273139754noreply@blogger.com