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