night of the iguana question

[theatreteacher2]

Posted: 7/24/03 at 11:58pm

hello all. i need some help. i am currently working on a production of tennessee william's "night of the iguana" and need an actual live iguana. does anyone out there know how other productions have handled this? any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[magruder]

Posted: 7/25/03 at 8:24am

Call me crazy, but, I remember the reference to an iguana in Night of the Igunana to a story a character in the play tells about an incident with a bunch of boys tormenting an igunana in a bag. The presence of a live igunana is not required.

[theatremom2]

Posted: 7/25/03 at 10:44am

They are not domestic animals. Extremely sensitive to heat and humidity or the lack there of. They have been known to bite as well. Go to Toys r Us and get a nice model, if you require a representation. I must have seen that play 6-7 times and don't recall every seeing an iguana, alive or otherwise. Believe me, I would have noticed

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/25/03 at 1:18pm

I played Shannon in a beautiful production some years ago. We did not use a live iguana either for the same reasons mentioned by theatermom above. Having the audience imagine the iguana at the end of his rope was just as effective as Shannon and the other characters "seeing" it.

Interestingly, in our discussions of the play before rehearsals even started, we noted how the iguana seems to be the symbol of Williams himself, often at the end of his own rope emotionally and being bullied by boys in his youth. I encourage to read his bio "Tom".

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/25/03 at 1:18pm

and yes, Mexican food STILL needs blessing. LOL