Not True, But Useful... A Cheek by Jowl Podcast Episode 4 - Scenes and Sandcastles
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May 15, 2020 Declan and Nick dive into the powerful concept of 'thresholds' in theatre. They reflect on creative sparks ignited during holidays and the unpredictability of artistic expression using the metaphor of sandcastles. The conversation shifts to emotional transitions in performance, especially in Macbeth's tense Act II Scene 2. They unveil how spatial dynamics influence character interactions and the psychological turmoil faced by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Plus, they discuss the fascinating intricacies involved in selecting plays for production and their modern-day relevance.
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Sandcastles As Play With Danger
- Declan recalls building sandcastles on Margate beach as a child and watching their ruins on tidal sands.
- He sees the act as a heroic, futile attempt to control the ocean and play with danger at a liminal threshold.
Leave The Central Mystery Alive
- A threshold is a liminal space that forces surprise and contains an inexplicable central mystery.
- Declan argues directors should clarify everything except the play's central mystery, which must remain alive.
Use Thresholds To Break Stuck Moments
- When stuck on stage, treat your impulse as crossing a threshold into another space that surprises you.
- Expect that what you find on the other side will differ from your expectation and let that drive action.