This document discusses extending directorial concepts for a production of Lysistrata. It provides guidance on key production elements to consider like staging, set, costumes, lighting, sound, masks, and representing the comic phallus. The objectives are to discuss how each element supports the directorial concept and give reasoned choices suitable for the play. Areas addressed include different staging options, set design details, using costumes to convey status and relationships, when lighting should focus attention, creating a soundscape, considering masks, and managing visual references to the phallus.

1. Lysistrata
Extending the Director’s Concept
Unit 4 Paper
Section B Director’s Concepts

3. Key areas to extend our ideas:
• Staging
• Set
• Costume
• Lighting
• Sound
• Mask
• Representation of the comic Phallus

4. Objectives of the lesson
• In each case we will discuss ideas relating to
our concepts and help each other to know
exactly how the production element supports
the concept through design.
• MUST consider a range of elements fully
• SHOULD be able to give reasons for their
choices suitable to the play
• COULD assist others in improving their
concepts

5. STAGING
• STAGING – Types of Staging available?
• Proscenium Arch/Thrust/In the
Round/Arena/Promenade/Site specific e.g. In
a nightclub or outdoor location
What are the reasons for your choice of staging
and how does the type of staging support
your concept?
What preconceptions do audiences have of
different performance environments?

6. SET
• You have preliminary ideas for your set design
• Extend these by drawing your design to take account
for entrances and exits, key buildings such as the
Acropolis, consider materials and colours used and
their meaning to audiences.
• How does your design compare to the original
performance
• How are you using different levels?
• What is the actor audience relationship?
• Have you considered the unities of location, place and
time?

7. COSTUME
• Some of you will have advanced your ideas
about costume. Have you recorded these
ideas in your scripts?
• How are you using costume to show
• Status?
• Relationships to others in the play?
• Difference to others – i.e. Lampito
• Changes of behaviour or attitude?

8. LIGHTING
• How and when during your production will
lighting be an important element and help you
to focus the audiences attention?
• Time of day
• Mood, atmosphere, emotional state
• Symbolic use of lighting – colours and
intensity
• Key words: angle, colour, intensity, spotlight,
fade (slow or fast fade of lighting)

9. SOUND
• Creating a soundscape – remember the
construction site in the DVD version I showed you
in the early weeks.
• Interpreting the songs sung in the play
• The oath taking
• All are key elements where sound is vital in
communicating to the audience your ideas.
• Live or recorded – give reasons for your choices.
Will the Chorus play instruments like Propeller
do?

10. USE OF MASK
• The mask was an integral part of the Greek
Drama, worn by both the principal three
actors playing the main parts and also the
Chorus. Will your concept make any gestures
towards this history? Footballers sometimes
wear protective masks; Factory workers might
have welding masks; Gangsters wear
sunglasses and similar hats?

11. REPRESENTING THE PHALLUS
• Will your concept, like the original play, make
direct visual reference to the enlarged phallus
worn by the male characters on stage?
• How will you manage this? Will it work with
the design ideas you have for costume?
(Remember how Bottom’s string bobbin
changed when he was transformed)