Mudcat the play?

Subject: B.S. Mudcat the play?
From: Margo
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 02:35 PM

I posted this in the Mudcat the Sitcom? thread, and thought this might merit it's own spot in threadom...

It could easily be a play. No props except computers on desks and musical instruments. Each personality is lit but the rest of the stage is dark. They can talk to each other, even look at each other, but never touch. Each player's character is personified through a soliliquy and all play their instruments. It ends with a Mudcat concert.

Whaddya think? Margo

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 02:41 PM

I like. Neat idea, or is it rad ? What is it that the cool kids call it today, anyway ?

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 02:43 PM

hmmmm.....add one more thing - a lit marquee across the stage - the current thread title in lights across the marquee. Each person is lit as they "post" - the others remain dark - or possibly halflit if they are on the same thread...

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: Margo
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 02:45 PM

Cool! I like it MMario. (By the way, is that a stutter, or a first initial?) Margo :o)

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 02:48 PM

copied from other thread

You know, that'd be a hell of an idea for a play, but let each individual wander away from the comp screen as the stagelights slowly come up to reveal a scene that portrays the story or situation he or she is telling

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 02:56 PM

The second "M" is silent, just like the invisible "Q".

(when I went to sign up for something - I forget what - on the internet - "Mario" was taken - so I used MMario for "Master Mario" - the name of my character at ren-faire.. I've kept it since)

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 03:02 PM

You know... this is VERY contemporary. And, it could be VERY good. Embracing all emotions and reflective of all the ups and downs we see each day on the 'Cat. Lots of humour, though.... got to have the laughs... "You've Got a Personal Message." Never use the name "Mudcat" in the title, though. The site would be inundated and subsequently detroyed.

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: JenEllen
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 03:10 PM

Fantastic idea. Not only allowing the audience a view of what they say, but 'how' they are when they say it. Is a LOL really a LOL?

Blows it wide open for the story threads too. A sub-stage where the action is taking place as it's being written. You can get a glimpse of characters, as well as the characters that are writing them.

I agree with gnu, keep the laughs, it's what holds the place together.

~J

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 03:53 PM

It IS a fantastic idea! I hope someone puts it together; it'd be very cutting edge!

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 04:08 PM

Samuel Beckett would be proud of you!

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 05:02 PM

I think the play may have already been written, with a troup of tragedians rather than people at computers. It's called Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are dead, and it was written by Tom Stoppard.

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 12:48 PM

Like HE never stole an idea!

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 01:47 PM

This could work! I've been in two plays where this concept was used, 'Waiting for the Parade' and 'Love Letters' ... very effective! When do we start writing it?

LL

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 02:20 PM

Isn't it already written? What's needed is an editor.

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: Margo
Date: 22 Jul 01 - 12:22 PM

I saw the "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are dead" movie. It was STRANGE. But entertaining...

Could a play be written collaboratively by a number of people online? That would make it even more of a novelty. I wish I could do it... I have so much going on already. But I like to write.

Is anyone serious about this?

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Jul 01 - 01:19 PM

Excellent Idea Margo. If nothing happens with it here can I suggest it for my daughter's drama class this next school year?

Mind you she probably won't do anything with it. I already suggested she do a one act play where the main characters are the tech crew behind the scenes of a play. The stage is set with the backs of the scenery and the crew carries on through rehearsal and the actual play discussing the director and actors, their affairs, and their own lives. They do not interact with the actors and only intermittantly with the director.

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: CarolC
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 07:24 AM

I just had a really interesting idea for a murder mystery using the Mudcat as a setting. In this play, a Mudcatter kills, or hires someone to kill, one or two other Mudcatters for some nefarious reason or another, and then the evidence for the murder is pieced together from a bunch of posts that one or the other of the victims posted to the Mudcat because they were afraid that something bad was about to happen.

Alternatively, if the Rosencrantz & Guildenstern version of the Mudcat play ever gets made, I think flattop would make a good Rosencrantz, and I would make a good Guildenstern (even though I am a woman).

Subject: RE: Mudcat the play?
From: CarolC
Date: 23 Jul 01 - 07:46 AM

Ooh! I just had another idea for the murder mystery. The intended victims could send PMs to themselves with clues for the authorities.