Breaking the 4th wall

[Clara's Pony]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 3:18pm

Do you think it adds something, or do you hate it?

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 3:25pm

I don't like it when actor's take it upon themselves, such as Lane in The Producers and Fierstein in Hairspray. To me, it comes across as something canned being peddled as impromptu. However, when it is a part of the concept (Light in the Piazza, Drowsy Chaperone), I find it can be an interesting part of the narrative.

[jenna2]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 3:26pm

I love it. For me, it adds a level of audience involvement to the piece. Obviously, I doesn't work for every show, (sometimes you just have to let the action happen,) but when it's done in context, I quite enjoy it.

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 3:35pm

I remember at one time when breaking the 4th wall was a "no-no" it was never done...now days there is really no such thing...whatever works for the piece to tell the story, is how it goes. Same thing as upstaging someone (in movement or blocking) those two terms have kind of took the back exit... it just does not matter really how it is done anymore, just that it is done right and works well..and looks good.

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 4:08pm

depends on the situation... i like the drowsy chaperone way (like MIC is sharing his favorite show with the audience), but similarly, it bothers me the Brighton Beach Memoirs(SP?). I love when charecters suggest thet they know that their world isnt reality (a la Bston Legal)...

[SamIAm]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 4:13pm

If the book calls for this context, it must be done well or it does not work. If it is done as an ad lib, the actor darn well better know exactly what he/she is doing and be skillful in getting back into the context of the show without any awkward transition. Most actors do not do it well, but there are some who do.

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 4:39pm

It depends on the piece of course.

I think 6 degrees of Separation is better on stage than the film version.. because it addresses the audience.

When we stop acknowleding the audience... they stay home and watch T.V. to be ignored by actors.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 4:47pm

For the most part I don't care for it. I think it is a cheap ploy to have the audience sympathize or join with the character and the writer does much less work in terms of exposition. It's a short cut in my opinion. Not to say I havent seen it done well, it's just not my favorite device. Same for voiceovers-right now they are done to death and fill in plot holes and make up for crappy, inconsistent writing.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 4:53pm

When Frances de la Tour did it in History Boys, it brought the house down!

[bially082]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 4:55pm

I've quite enjoyed the several times I've seen Nathan Lane do it. Never heard of Harvey doing it, what did he do. Richard Griffiths did it during The History Boys too, at a cell phone offender. But I found that Lane always stayed in character to break the 4th wall, did some wild antic, and since he never really lost touch with the character, was always able to pop back int to the scene seamlessly. This doesn't bother me.

[Clara's Pony]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 5:20pm

"Same for voiceovers-right now they are done to death and fill in plot holes and make up for crappy, inconsistent writing."

I don't think you would enjoy Lord of the Rings then Bettyboy...

[Act0r721]

Posted: 6/22/07 at 5:20pm

"Urinetown" anyone?

I once saw "The Wizard of Oz" on Navy Pier. Some child was crying after the Wicked Witch came out and when Glinda came back, she addressed the kid. "It's okay, you can stop crying, she's gone now! I know, she's mean!" that sort of thing.

It was pretty cute and funny.