prop beer onstage - question
prop beer onstage - question
#1prop beer onstage - question
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:14pm
The show I just closed, "Daddy's Dyin...", had a particular prop issue that the prop designer and I never fully got a good grasp on, and I was wondering if anyone else had a similar problem or suggestions (the last show of our season is "Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music" - so I am sure the same problem will arise)
In "Daddy's Dyin" we went through 2 6-packs of "beer" each performance. 3 actors would open and drink the beers over the course of 2 different scenes. We obviously didnt use real beer, but the solution we arrived was never satisfying.
We saved a plastic 6 pack ring from concessions and used that. The actors requested non-carbonated liquids, so the prop designer bought cans of lemonade and iced tea (12 packs). She then printed out several paper "beer labels". It was my responsibilty to tape these labels on the cans (they wrapped all the way around). I tried each night to carefully peel the labels off the cans, but invariably some would rip or were wet and couldn't be saved. Each night I "wrapped" cans. It got to be a pain after a while, and the tape was more than obvious onstage as were the paper labels.
Suggestions, thoughts?
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#2re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:15pmNobody drank beer onstage better than the late, great Stiv Bators.
#2re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:17pm
My college did a production of Killer Joe last year and they bought beer, punctured the bottoms of the cans, and drained them. The actors had to pretend there was liquid in them.
The director and the designers had quite a fun time drinking the beer that was drained out.
#3re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:20pmThat is a very good idea Taryn, maybe in the future. But there was on particular bit where the two trashy kids on finding out their ailing father is doing poorly pop the tops off their beers and the liquid is supposed to go everywhere.
#5re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:22pmCover the can and label with clear contact paper.
Wanting life but never knowing how
#6re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:22pmTried the non-alcoholic beer but one of the actors threw a pissy fit and asked for something else.
SweetQintheLights
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/05
#7re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:47pm
"Tried the non-alcoholic beer but one of the actors threw a pissy fit and asked for something else."
If the director likes it, it's not up to the actors. At least as far as I thought.
I was thinking that you could open the can, spill out the beer and fill it with another liquid (ex: lemonade or ever water). But then you said something about "pop the tops" which, I have to admit I have no idea what that is.
#8re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:49pm
it had to be cans?
another option
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
cheezedoodle
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/15/05
#9re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:50pmYou should have just used real beer, and told them it was just a prank.
#10re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:51pmomg! cheeze! what a great prank for next time! you are so good at this prank stuff.
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
cheezedoodle
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/15/05
#11re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 9:57pmYears of professional practice papa.
#12re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/4/07 at 11:56pmevery time i go to an outdoor festival i have this one cousin who cant survive without his beer so, he covers his beer with the outside of a soda can. I dont think he uses tape to do it. I think he just takes an old soda can, cuts off the top at the bend and drops the beer inside it.
erikaamato
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/04
#13re: best way to open and drink beer onstage
Posted: 3/5/07 at 12:35amI second the non-alcoholic beer suggestion. Why would anyone throw a hissy about drinking that? Sounds kind of like a pain...
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