(Courtney)There are numerous ways in which one could modernize this short, one act play.  To begin, I'd start with modernizing the scenery.  I'd want to ensure that the set pieces are current with the time.  I can easily envision this play taking place in a living room, complete with leather sofa, a large oriental rug on the floor, coffee table in the center of the room, side chairs, a painting on the wall over the sofa, and a tv on the wall across from the sofa.  Opposite the sofa would be an exit - presumably to another room, when in reality this would be stage left (or right, depending on your perspective).   Another important aspect of the scenery would be the use of stage props.  At the start of the play, when Donna Violante is introduced, she would be curled up on the sofa, face buried in a smart phone, probably busily scrolling through social media.  She would also likely be wearing ear buds and leggings.  Luciano, meanwhile, would probably be carrying a phone as well but would be dressed jeans and t-shirt; the cloak and walking stick discarded in favor of either sneakers or slides. I would also be sure that we are using an arena theatre to ensure that our audience feels close to the actors and have a good view of the action.  I'd also want to ensure good use of lighting with a lighting plot (Sporre).  One last item I would consider for this play, while it is definitely modernizing but has more to do with an audience's enjoyment, is to consider having the actors use microphones.  Actors are taught how to project their voices but I would use them anyway.  Depending on the size of the theatre and the audience, it can be a challenge to project and to project at a consistent volume throughout the duration of a play.  And it is a strain to one's vocal chords.  A microphone eases that strain. Reference:  Sporre, Dennis J. Perceiving the Arts. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, (11th Edition). Pearson Education (US), 2014. ...

1. (Courtney)There are numerous ways in which one could
modernize this short, one act play. To begin, I'd start with
modernizing the scenery. I'd want to ensure that the set pieces
are current with the time. I can easily envision this play taking
place in a living room, complete with leather sofa, a large
oriental rug on the floor, coffee table in the center of the room,
side chairs, a painting on the wall over the sofa, and a tv on the
wall across from the sofa. Opposite the sofa would be an exit -
presumably to another room, when in reality this would be stage
left (or right, depending on your perspective).
Another important aspect of the scenery would be the use of
stage props. At the start of the play, when Donna Violante is
introduced, she would be curled up on the sofa, face buried in a
smart phone, probably busily scrolling through social media.
She would also likely be wearing ear buds and leggings.
Luciano, meanwhile, would probably be carrying a phone as
well but would be dressed jeans and t-shirt; the cloak and
walking stick discarded in favor of either sneakers or slides.
I would also be sure that we are using an arena theatre to ensure
that our audience feels close to the actors and have a good view
of the action. I'd also want to ensure good use of lighting with
a lighting plot (Sporre). One last item I would consider for this
play, while it is definitely modernizing but has more to do with
an audience's enjoyment, is to consider having the actors use
microphones. Actors are taught how to project their voices but
I would use them anyway. Depending on the size of the theatre
and the audience, it can be a challenge to project and to project
at a consistent volume throughout the duration of a play. And it
is a strain to one's vocal chords. A microphone eases that
strain.
Reference:
Sporre, Dennis J. Perceiving the Arts. Available from:
VitalSource Bookshelf, (11th Edition). Pearson Education (US),
2014.