All That Chat - Maybe because this has basically been going on forever

HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH FLAT MODE

not logged in

Maybe because this has basically been going on forever

Posted by:	AlanScott 09:18 am EST 11/03/15
In reply to:	I'm amazed how many of you defend Willis - RufusRed 07:02 pm EST 11/02/15

It was recently mentioned in an article on The Gin Game that in the first Broadway production, Hume Cronyn had the text hidden in various places onstage. Cronyn was only six years older than Willis is now. I don't think anyone ever would have accused Cronyn of being unprofessional. And obviously he was not inexperienced. He had spent decades successfully and securely learning his lines, but many actors, even the greatest and most experienced, run into problems at a certain point. This sort of thing — finding ways to help out an actor who is having trouble securely memorizing his lines — has been going on forever. Having been onstage with an actor who was having trouble in a scene where she had to run the conversation, interrogating (as a district attorney) a number of characters in turn, I could only wish that she'd had an earpiece to help her out when she ran into trouble. It would have saved us from the performance where we all had to stifle laughter when, after a rather long pause, one of the other actresses, in a desperate attempt to get things going again, piped up with, "Since I know you consider me a suspect, I'll volunteer the following information." Obviously, having the script hidden in prop books and newspapers or in other places is not ideal. Obviously, an ear piece is not ideal. But helping out actors who are insecure on lines is nothing new.

reply \|

Previous:	I'm amazed how many of you defend Willis - RufusRed 07:02 pm EST 11/02/15
Next:	re: I'm amazed how many of you defend Willis - ryhog 11:17 pm EST 11/02/15

Thread:

All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)