SPAMALOT SCENIC FLOW 02.01.13 MUNY
2013
Reflects Skype Meeting with Denis,
Sam and Steve 01.30.13
Scenic Overview:
Terry Gilliam style graphics.
Monty Python style. 2D, profiles. Over the top. The show is very ÒmetaÓ all the time:
always aware of itself as a Òshow!Ó É push sticks, roll-around trees with
bracing, etc.
BOOM 1 Show
Curtain. Will not be closed for
Preshow. Discuss with Tracy in
terms of crew calls, etc. Closes at Intermission.
BOOM 2 The lead
edges will be the SR and SL Towers with 2nd floor windows for actors
in Act 1, Scene 3 and at other times.
When not needed, the side towers will goes off stage. SL side of the Boom (with Tower on
leading edge) will close to CL with the ÒAlways
Look on the Bright Side of LifeÓ lyric for the audience to follow along. SR side TBA
Might paint torm flats in the
style of the show.
There needs to be a UCL entrance for actors from
backstage. We may need to create a
ground row in front of the islands to allow actors to cross behind.
Scenic Frame the LED in Spamalot
style. Perhaps Medieval
trees. Perhaps Battlements
with Medieval Trees profiles in front of the islands? Perhaps
an illustrated manuscript border effect; an ornate picture frame, perhaps.
Passerelle. The unit will be used for the first 3
shows. Important
information for Seth, Nathan and Jason. (Should have a STOCK drawing for the Passerelle. We
have used it for Oz and Hello Dolly.)
LED content will begin with animation of the weather map.
There are numerous scenic ideas being investigated. One idea is to creating a unit setting
of various Terry-Gillliam-style profiles, which can
be rearranged on stage to become different locations. We want to explore some tracking, which
might include very obvious push sticks.
Will design a unit look that unfolds in some way throughout
the show for castle/nature/fantasy moments.
The unit set will be a large basic structure that is in
front of the LED screen; a castle structure with a large central entrance,
maybe a draw bridge with side towers on SR and SL of center might slide into
place when needed É like the Pirate Ship? É needs multiple levels.
Perhaps we can bring in the US side wings with towers or
battlements; the castle unit will not be permanent, but will move around for different
configurations; perhaps 5 different configurations, 5 key locations. The US side towers will need levels and
provide actors with access.
Lots to be considered.
We discussed costume and prop needs. Denis will be in St. Louis this weekend
and may be able to clarify these areas.
Costume/Props challenges include the Black Knight, launching cow and a stilt
walking Ni Knight, to name a few.
Obviously, there will be many departments involved in creating specific
characters or moments. It would be
helpful to determine who, what and where.
So, ACT I: multi-use UNIT SET
ACT II: individual locations/multiple looks
Top of Show: unit set on stage, no boom.
Act One
Scene 1: Medieval SET
Medieval ÒlookÓ that features a Medieval-framed LED screen.
Anticipate Sightline issues with LED screen. When we need to see content on the LED
Screen, we need to clear wing space for sightlines.
Video. ENGLAND
932AD
History Lesson via weather map style.
Scene 2: Finnish Moose Village
Quick change for bring on Finnish
Village. Perhaps ÒMedieval Unit
TreesÓ flip around to become Finnish trees. A design challenge for this action is
that the tree profiles are very different.
There may to another way to make this change. Whatever, it will establish our style or
world of the play for the rest of the evening.
ÒFisch
Schlapping SongÓ
Fish props for slapping É large and safe
End of song restore to MEDIEVAL
SET. Where possible, the scale of some scenery will also need to conceal IA
carpenters and, when needed, an IA electrician.
Transition to Mud Village and Plague Village (general space)
ÒMonkÕs ChatÓ
Large Bibles É 18Ó x 24Ó. Muslin covered upholstery. Actors bash bibles on forehead as they
cross the stage. Or something like this.
Scene 3: MEDIEVAL SET Mud Castle
ÒKing ArthurÕs SongÓ
BOOM 2 Towers SR and
SL Second-Story Functional
LED picture countryside to give scale and location. Map with animated Arthur and Patsy cut-outs riding over the country. Something to build
this entrance.
At end of scene, actors need to climb down and exit. The ladder or step unit needs to be
struck before the boom can pull the towers offstage. Perhaps we leave them on for the Plague
Village.
Scene 4: MEDIEVAL SET Plague Village
ÒMonkÕs ChantÓ
ÒHe is Not Dead YetÓ
ÒDead Play OffÓ
Significant practical Wagon Prop. Must be moved by one
(or two) actors. Must carry
6 ÒdeadÓ bodies. Wagon needs to have
5 kneeling actors AND a tap-dancing performer.
Scene 5: MEDIEVAL SET
Mud Mound in Countryside outside the CASTLE UNIT
The Castle with a drawbridge feature will reveal Lady of the
Lake in the next scene.
The Castle unit will require a balcony with battlements,
stairs and a CL entrance. We will
use it throughout the show. It will
need to slip on from upstage. We
will redress it offstage for other moments in the show. When this unit is onstage, it will block
the bottom portion of the LED screen.
Mud mound É 2-D slip wagon (maybe a long, long push stick É
very obvious É from the wings pushes on a mud mound 2-D profile.
LED
Countryside and ÒCastleÓ
Scene 6: The Lady of the Lake (either Castle Unit or Unit for Lady and
Phantom Boat)
ÒCome with MeÓ
Instead of using the Castle Unit, we may find it better to
create a scenic unit for both the LADY of the Lake and Phantom boat/chandelier
moments. Maybe a version of the
Pirate basket unit, which in this case would be framed by Medieval art and has dry
ice, smoke and a flying chandelier.
Some sort of dramatic ÒclassicÓ entrance
for Lady of the Lake.
BotticelliÕs Venu Clam Shell Float
w/ dry ice and lighting. Can be
pushed around by actors or teens in costumes.
Long ground rows of profile swamp grass, which slide
onstage, will help conceal flexible Dry Ice hoses onstage.
Multiple Dry Ice Machines 2 on SR, 2 on SL and 1 on the Lady
of the Lake Float
Need to discuss IA electrician run crew size at the outset.
The Laker Girls
ÒThe Song that Goes
like ThisÓ
More Dry Ice for LancelotÕs Entrances É.
a la Phantom of the Opera
FLOATING (Phantom) Boat with two standing actors and no
visible means of movement. Needs to
track straight CL and DS. Again,
maybe a super long push stick.
Phantom chandelier (electric) flies down from inside the
Lady/ Phantom Unit. Needs to light up, drop and spark (pyro).
Scene 7: King Arthur and His Knights scene É
BOOM 2 SR closes with obvious ladder on CL for
Historian to narrate in Castle Turret
Art work on rest of SR might be
campfire and night scene. Practical
campfire.
ÒAll for One!Ó
During this scene, the electronic Camelot Unit is placed
upstage of the boom.
Scene 8: The COURT OF CAMELOT
Strike MEDIEVAL Profile for Las Vegas CAMELOT É Neon/ light
box.
Need a CL entrance.
Garishly lit with movement
Side towers may open up to reveal big, light-up medieval
slot machine that settles on a winning, Ògrail,Ó Ògrail,Ó Ògrail,Ó with a show
girl popping out of it slot machines.
Dancing craps tables É maybe single table up against castle
É would need to split in two for CL entrance.
á
The Camelot Castle will be used again at the end
for the wedding
ÒKnights of the Round
TableÓ
ÒThe Song tat Goes like ThisÓ
4 large prams capable of carrying concealed actors.
End of number É need to strike CAMELOT.
Perhaps, SR Boom 2 closes with night sky. Discuss GODÕs feet falls in front of
BOOM from a drop box. (the rigging
may not allow us to drop in front of the boom.) OR, we rig GODÕS FEET to drop in front
of the DS AUDIENCE TORM.
Scene 9: The Feet of God DROP
God Feet that give a notion of GOD looking down from heaven
Terry Gilliam style.
Scripted NASA Blast-Off. Probably not. Need to Austrian the feet up, somehow.
Scene 10: The Quest for the Grail É MOUNTAIN &
GRAIL LIFT UNIT
Unit to include front profile of a mountain with steps up
and down. Actors climb the mount
unit. On cue Lady of the Lake
in HOLY GRAIL CUP is lifted above
the mountain. Forklift would
drive on with IA covered by mountain, etc.
ÒFind Your GrailÓ
End of the number, Fork Lift MOUNTAIN UINT exits with
Grail. (Do we need to lower the cup
before it can drive off, probably?)
The JOURNEY PANORAMA
Cyclorama idea
During the traveling, the CASTLE UNIT comes onstage
Scene 11: The French
Castle CASTLE UNIT
The Castle unit will require a balcony with battlements,
stairs and a CL entrance. We will redress it during intermission for Prince
HerbertÕs Chamber in Swamp Castle.
Wooden Rabbit Unit
Castle Doors for 4 actor vertical look
Cow Launch É. Life size cow stuffed animal
ÒRun AwayÓ
BOOM 1 closes
INTERMISSION
ACT TWO
Scene 1: SHOW CURTAIN
BOOM 1
Historian
Scene 2: FOREST É A Very Expensive Forest
Forest Look with CL or US arched entrance É.
Dry Ice???
Need to change the forest into a very expensive forest. )—dollar signs attached to the
trees (set during intermission), maybe the cash register idea, the $$$$ signs
pop-up to the sound effect of a cash register. Actor operated?
ÒAlways Look on the
Bright Side of LifeÓ
Scene 3: FOREST É Sir Robin and His Minstrels
ÒBrave Sir RobinÓ
SinginÕ in the Rain Knights
Scrub Bush
Scene 4:
FOREST É The Black Knight
Black Knight bit (loss of limbs moment)Éhow to do this?
É done with some
forest profile set unit for actor to sit inside a hide his legs. Trick prop / scenic unit and costume
challenge.
One actor on stilts
Scene 5: FOREST É Another Part of the Expensive
Forest
ÒYou WonÕt Succeed on
BroadwayÓ
Piano with tricks
Fiddler on the Spamalot
9 Grail Prop Hats
Star of David LED event. Maybe parting the Unit Trees for better
framing LED event.
Scene 6: FOREST É Yet Another Part of the Very
Expensive Forest
Scene 7: BOOM 1 On stage at Spamalot
ÒThe DivaÕs LamemtÓ
Diva Isolation for
scene change into HerbertÕs Chamber in Swamp Castle.
á
ACT II DivaÕs Lament will probably be played on
the passerelle with spot; maybe a MUNY concession kid
in uniform brings her a big drink and tub of popcornÉ .
Scene 8: Prince HerbertÕs Chamber in Swamp Castle. CASTLE UNIT
Castle Unit redressed during intermission with window
unit.
ÒWhere Are YouÓ
ÒHow Are You!Ó
BOOM 1 LANCELOT
production number
Perhaps we might paint elements of the boom is UV
paint. Flood the Boom with UV and
use LED footlights on the Passerelle? Ògay disco aestheticÓ
ÒHis Name is LancelotÓ
Scene 9: A Bridge Too Far
Ò IÕm All AloneÓ
We discussed not using a Staircase for this number. We do not recall how we resolved this
moment. Perhaps the Fork Lift with
the Mountain and Lady of the Lake can come back onstage.???????
ÒThe Song that Goes
Like ThisÓ
At the end of this number, Lady exits one way and Arthur
exits the other.
Knights regroup and continue riding journey to arrive at É
Scene 10: Killer Rabbit
A profile mound will slip wagon out of the wings. It is a puppet stage for the
rabbit. End on cue it needs to
explode with smoke and pyro fall over to reveal STONE 3-D Letters ÒB O N E SÓ
The Wizard will be a face projected onto the LED Screen.
ÒThe GrailÓ
Terry Gilliam Hand
points to the Bones Cutout.
I think this can be a large cutout the is
connected to the face of Boom 2 in a custom black cove. We can rig off the follow spot bridge a
simple pivot pull up of the pointing hand.
Close BOOM ONE Audience
interaction
Need step unit into the audience.
Preset Las Vegas Unit dressed for the Wedding
Scene 11: COURT OF CAMELOT É The Holy Grail
Wedding Chapel!
Las Vegas Unit
ÒWe Are Not Yet WedÓ
ÒAlways Look on the
Bright Sid eof LifeÓ
BOOM
2 close ???? with lyrics of ÒAlways Look É.Ó