The Rain It Raineth

Yesterday I mentioned the live rain effect that we're working on for this new production of Richard III: The Terrible Reign in November. Here's a very brief clip. Micah Moyer and my friends at the stage have rigged something up, and we've conducted half a dozen or so rain tests. It's starting to look good, but there are still lots of things to work out: how wide and deep the path of rain, how much water (water pressure), how long the rain should last—not to mention how best to get rid of the rain before the next show and whether the costumes will dry out in time. It's definitely a work in progress.

Publicity Pix

Ron Pyle as Richard in Richard III: The Terrible Reign

Several months ago we took publicity photos for the upcoming production of Richard III: The Terrible Reign. Ron Pyle is playing the title role, having given me another shot at directing him even though he probably feels like I nearly killed him two years ago in The Tempest. (You see, there were these trap doors scattered around the set. . . . See photos and a video of the production here.) We decided to try to mimic what we hope will be a live rain effect in the actual production, and poor Richard got soaked—albeit with spray bottles. If you know the story, the guy deserves whatever he gets (the character, not the actor). The photo at left is where we landed. (Thank you, Photoshop!) Overall, I was pleased with the result.

By Way of Introduction

Me as Corin in a 2012 production of As You Like It

Greetings! In this blog, a new venture for me, I hope to document some of my musings on Shakespeare, costume and scene design, directing, acting, and who knows what else. I'm in my forties, but let me tell you, fifty is so close I can smell it. And as our good friend William once said, it is the rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril. (Actually, I loved my twenties better than my teens, my thirties better than my twenties, etc.) 

Here's my story (the abridged version):

—student in the 80s and 90s at Welch College (TN), Bob Jones University (SC), the University of Oklahoma, and the National Shakespeare Conservatory (NYC)

—thirty-ish of Shakespeare’s amazing roles including Hamlet, Henry V,  Richard II, Iago, Touchstone, Malvolio, Caliban, Costard, and Don Armado

—more directing and design credits (plays, operas) than years I am old
—founder of a non-profit, The Greenville Shakespeare Company

—current favorite Shakespearean play is an original adaption of Richard III that I've subtitled The Terrible Reign, which will take place in November of 2012 (posts to follow)