Floyd Collins Question

[PerforMeg]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 1:39am

I have a question about Floyd Collins. I've never seen the show but have recently been falling madly in love with the recording.

My question is about the staging. In running a google search for images of the show I have seen pictures of Floyd standing and interacting with the other cast members during the time he is supposed to be trapped. For those who have seen it-is this traditionally the way it is staged? Or do some productions have Floyd literally trapped the whole time, not moving, but showing a more realistic depiction of the situation??

Thanks to anyone who can enlighten!

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 1:45am

There are songs where Floyd fantasizes about being free (The Riddle Song, The Carnival, How Glory Goes, etc), so sometimes the script calls for him to get up and move around. Otherwise he's trapped.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 2:13am

In addition I believe Skeets Miller and his brother Homer actually get down to where he is.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 2:29am

I think Skeets is the only one to do it. I think when Homer does it it's just fantasy. I'm not sure though.

[thez914]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 3:56pm

I saw a production where they used a series of ropes that hung (hanged?) in loops on which the actors lay (laid?) and were suspended. The ropes created a jungle-esque look that ironically evoked the sense of a claustrophobic mine quite well. The actors (Skeets and Homer) would maneuver through them when trying to get to Floyd. Looked incredibly uncomfortable, but had a great effect.

Updated On: 3/14/06 at 03:56 PM

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 6:06pm

Homer does get down to him early on, but Skeets is the only other person able to make it down there. After the shaft caves in, of course, no one can get through.

[PerforMeg]

Posted: 3/14/06 at 8:51pm

Thanks everybody!