great works ii – 2850 jta 12:25-2:05: love letters from the world

Responses to Endgame scene anatomy:

Yes, you all discussed some interesting points of comparison and contrast between the actual script of Endgame and the production I asked you to watch: I agree that the set choice by the director lends a darker atmosphere than one might expect (does this make it more difficult to watch?); there are, indeed, slight changes in dialogue, to help to connect more viably with a contemporary audience (is this valid?); the acting choices of both Hamm and Clov (because so little actually happens, and indeed, that is a major theme in the play, that life is actually a series of meaningless, repetitive actions, these two roles are extremely challenging for actors); the idea that the actors must find internal, unstated, conflict to bring forward, because so little happens (were they successful?); the fact that the differences in these two characters need to be brought forward in the production itself; the fact that small props (like the handkerchief or the “bins”) which may not seem very important during a reading, may take on a massive role in a production.

We will continue this discussion in class on Wed.  Remember to bring your books!