Brainstorming for the play idea that I have in my head:
Working title (pretty firm): Four Gifts
Premise: Exploring the reactions to gifts. The same gift gets given to four different people, causing disparate reactions. The gift is abstract, not known to the audience (though small enough to fit into a box), audience should not see it. The object is not important, and would only distract from the greater themes and story being explored.
Reason for telling story: Explore the difference between a gift that enhances the recipient's life and something that is of more use to the giver. The purpose of gift/ parable of gift.
Structure: Four scenes--interconnected vignettes. The gift processes through several regifting scenarios, with various reactions. Possibly returns to the original giver? Reaction genres: 1. disappointment/ sadness, 2. wonder/ joy, 3. indifference, 4. anger. Should be refrains or similar lines throughout to highlight various reactions. Gift comes across as Grand Gesture, inappropriate, ideal, amusing, useless, or overthought.
References or sources: Othello, 4 gospels (bible), 4 noble truths of buddhism, magi, birthdays, housewarming, wedding, Christmas/ Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa, baby shower.
Characters: Each scene will have at least 3, actors will play multiple roles. Each scene will have someone from the previous scene to give it connectedness and continuity.
Much more writing to follow.
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cool premise. Two other potential sources come to my mind: the artist Christo's pieces that were wrapped packages, with the importance being on the packaging, not what was inside (in fact, a lot of the pieces were often made out of pieces of paper bags, wrapped around each other in layers, so there was actually nothing substantial about them).
ReplyDeleteThe french films red, white and blue also come to mind - the way the colors and characters show up in different times and places, and they use images to tie the three otherwise disparate stories together.
I'm looking forward to hearing more