One of my clients - I design theatre posters - is producing this play during their 2012-13 season. Their brief, which is the wiki entry's plot synopsis, doesn't give me much to go by, so I come to you, oh gods of theatre knowledge for a little more background.
I need something to design around, other than "madcap" and "pornography". I've searched google. I've checked my local library systems. I've searched the torrent sites. And, I'm hoping someone here has done the play before and can hopefully provide some insight. Please help!
"Are we being attacked or entertained?" - MST3K
My theatre poster/logo portfolio: http://www.listenterprises.com/
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
I want to have a quick turnaround, and as they are on the other side of the country, my last resort is ordering one from Sam French. I have googled (boy, have I googled) and I have a synopsis and I've done the image search and seen what other designers have done. The problem is... it's all very... generic.
I was hoping to find someone who has had an experience with the show in some form. I have a logo developed, but I need some ideas on an accompanying illustration. Is there more to the play than a conservative married couple receiving a deluge of Swedish pornography and the ensuing hilarity of them trying to conceal it? Reading the play may be my only answer, but I thought a check here wouldn't hurt.
"Are we being attacked or entertained?" - MST3K
My theatre poster/logo portfolio: http://www.listenterprises.com/
You know I saw this play on one of my trips to London. I remember laughing hysterically and enjoying the show. Oddly enough, I can't remember anything about it. As I think of it, I saw DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER only a few weeks ago and enjoyed it, too. Sadly, I can't recall one element of the plot right now. Must be something about the genre.
I saw it in London in the late 1970s. My friends and I went to see it because we liked the title (we were 18 at the time and knew nothing about theater). I do remember it was very funny and the plot involved a bank manager and some canisters of pornographic films.
I saw the original London production back in the late 1970's. It's basically your average door slamming farce set in an apartment. The script should give you as much as you need above that.
I'm surprised to see this being done in 2012. Back in the late 80s when it closed its 18 year run it was tired, very dated and most importantly, not funny!
Just after closing in the West End it embarked on a much anticipated UK tour. The tour folded 6 weeks into its 38 week run. I can only think that there were not enough Japanese tourists in the provinces to fill the theatres!
The London artwork.
The movie poster!
You could also use the fact that the show was Micheal Crawfords West End debut!
Thanks Mamas - I love those cartoonish pre-80s posters. I dug deep into the internet, and didn't find any inspiration that clicked. (Even the original poster and logo... does it really "say" anything about the play itself other than "silly"?) Talked to the director. SPARK! Thanks again for the input.
"Are we being attacked or entertained?" - MST3K
My theatre poster/logo portfolio: http://www.listenterprises.com/