Below are the 2 most recent journal entries recorded in richard_3's LiveJournal:

Saturday, March 5th, 2005
10:45 am [frandowdsofa]	Richard III Script David Wake has been working long and hard on the script for the Audience Participation Richard III. It’s been a difficult process!! More of a challenge perhaps than we originally thought. The Rocky Horror audience script took a long time to develop, and I suspect the first person who stood up in a cinema and fired a water pistol wasn’t the most popular guy in the universe. And there are many different versions, protocols and etiquettes around, it’s still evolving. We’re trying to jump in partway through this process, with an entertaining, complete script that the audience isn’t yet familiar with. We’ve kept the key set speeches and the plot, but just the bare bones and then added extra script for both cast and audience to keep everyone involved and having fun. Perhaps not the purist approach, but it gives everyone a head start. If other groups or conventions want to take it and run with it, it’ll change and develop. Or at least we hope so - and we’ve already been approached by some other interested parties. There are currently two versions of the script, one with some surprises in it! and one for you to look at in advance. You can still contribute audience lines if you want. It’s up on the web at http://www.paragon2.org.uk/richard.htm - to contribute, just follow the email link on site. (Or post here, if you prefer) If you volunteered and haven't heard from David, or are interested in any aspects of the production - acting, costume, music etc., just shout (and then write to us). crossposted all over the place (Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 11th, 2004
6:41 pm [frandowdsofa]	Introduction to the Project from the Paragon2 convention PR2, by Alice Lawson People in costumes shouting at the cast and joining in with the play. Sound familiar? Been there, done that? Oh yes I hear you say. The Rocky Horror Show ... Well you would be wrong. I am talking about Shakespeare's Richard III. Yes, I said Richard III. Anyone who has read Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair will know immediately what we are going to do. For those who don't, well I suggest you could do worse than read the book. I will not spoil the plot. I will only tell you the bit that started off this project. The Eyre Affair takes place in Swindon in an alternate universe. In this Swindon Richard III has been performed every Friday night in The Ritz theatre for 15 years. The audience turn up and are given parts, so you have a different cast each week. There are all sorts of fun things like the Battle of Bosworth in the auditorium with all the audience involved. Jasper Fforde has kindly given his consent to us using his idea and staging the show. I say given his consent, what I mean is he said, "Yes please, Can I be Richard"... "Can I play too?" I hear you cry. Like any good project, we need volunteers. We would like to put together a group of people to write (or should I say cut) the play into a manageable length. As good as it might be, I think three to four hours is enough fun for anyone. This group would also work on the script for the audience. We have the opening lines: Richard opened his mouth to speak and the whole audience erupted in unison: "When is the winter of our discontent?" "Now," replied Richard with a cruel smile, "is the winter of our discontent ... made glorious summer by this son of York ..." On the word "summer" six hundred people placed sunglasses on and looked up at an imaginary sun. (from The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde) In the Swindon play, the parts are given out on the night. Now this has taken 15 years to happen, in a world where everyone quotes Shakespeare the way we quote the parrot sketch. So for our play I think we need a cast and some rehearsal. John Dowd has already taken dibs on the part of The Viking. (A Norse, A Norse ... ) Who knows, if it takes off and other conventions carry it forward, 15 conventions down the line maybe it can be cast on the night ... We will also need costumes, so it follows we will need people to make them. You know who you are! So please volunteer for any area that suits you, but remember ... Even as just a member of the audience, you have a part. There will be audience participation and remember: we have a battle to fight! If you want to know more please get in touch with us. We will arrange script workshops and rehearsal events during the next year. (12 Comments |Comment on this)