|
It begins with a ritual. As the audience enters, five characters are seen at scattered places throughout the seating area. They are dressed in white bodysuits
and white, shimmering wraps. Their faces are painted in various subtle colors and they have bright white masks hanging around their necks . They move slowly, dance-like, responding to the
rhythm of the distant music. Occasionally, each stops, approaches an audience member and engages them in a prepared routine.The stage itself is lit in pools of deep hues of red and blue. There are eight fabric panels set at varying
positions to create the performing area, two are screens. The panels are lit from behind and glow with color. Black levels of varying heights complete the setting.
At the rise, MUSIC 1-1-full THE LIGHTS CHANGE.
MUSIC 2-2 ADDED – full..The five turn on cue and begin a procession toward the performing area. A sixth character appears waiting for them on stage. She is dressed only in a white bodysuit. She
moves fluidly to other music. The five reach the performing area and begin a series of circular movements that weave them around the sixth until they surround her and she is only able to move in place. The entire scene is measured and
hypnotic. Suddenly, a growling, churning moan comes from the five. They become violent and pounce on the sixth and drown her with their bodies. ALL MUSIC STOPS After a moment, MUSIC 2-2-half, they lift the lifeless body of the sixth and in the same processional movement carry her off right.
As the group moves away,MUSIC 2-2 FADES OUT. LIGHTS CHANGE. MUSIC 2-3. MEDEA appears in front of the Right Screen. She is dressed in a black shimmering wrap with a deep-red bodysuit
underneath. After the group exits, she slowly moves to the left (figures are seen moving behind her) revealing a life-size image of herself projected on the right screen. She stops in
front of the Left Screen and faces the audience. The Right Screen fades. After a moment, she continues to move left, revealing an image of another woman on the left screen. Then she moves away left and exits. . The Left Screen fades. )
( Figures enter from both sides, in silhouette, and move along the back on to levels. All are dressed in wraps and colored bodysuits. They move in a measured pace. )
MEDEA. (offstage – her voice rising in a rhythmic cry)
AWAY!… AWAY!… AWAY… AWAY… AWAY!… AWAY!
ALL: Away.
MUSIC 2-3 FADES LOW LIGHTS CHANGE.
Right Screen: Moving shot of MEDEA
MEDEA. The sun rises, the moon rises… the sea rises… the wind echoes…
Left Screen Closeup of MEDEA
MEDEA. Away…
Right Screen
MEDEA. Once more…
Left Screen
MEDEA. Away…
Right Screen
MEDEA. Once more the sea is black…
Left Screen
MEDEA. Again, the sea is black…
Right Screen
MEDEA. And it calls me…
(screen fades)
Left Screen
MEDEA. Once more, again, it calls me… to the sea.
(screen fades)
(Lights fade out)
MUSIC 2-3 OUT- SOUND OF THE SEA.
(Offstage the plaintive, drifting song of MEDEA is heard. The figures step down, move right and left and exit leaving the WOMAN and the NURSE
on levels. MUSIC 2-1 LOW The NURSE steps down. .
MEDEA. (offstage)
Days end, days end
The sun will come again
Winds rise, winds rise
The moon will come again
NURSE. (singing)
Days end, days end,
The sun will come again
Winds rise, winds rise
SOUND OF SEA FADES LOW. LIGHTS CHANGE
The moon will come again
(She sighs, moves to the center level..)
©2005 Arthur Meiselman
|
