has anyone here done any outdoor plays?

Bob Z

I'm taking one on as a writer/director looking for a few tips

The_Morrigan

Location location location....


Sound can be horrendous when doing outdoor performances - so make sure you don't have any whispered speech or soft spoken actors. If the wind catches the sound you can lose a lot of the performance and then you get unhappy audience members.

Bob Z

Cheers

Bob Z

The play I had in mind doesn't involve any audience participation but should I make it as interactive as possible

faceman

Yes I have on a few occasions and quite frankly it's horrible.

Few things to consider.

Is this a planned outdoor theatre show? Will people going to see it be there solely for the full piece? If not it becomes very distracting and the turnout will be low. Unless of course you have an A lister actor involved!

Will you be using mics? If not then don't bother. This should be a deal breaker.

Has weather been considered? Not just for the actors but for the audience too!

Will there be seating for the audience?

Best of luck with it!

DavidKeane

It's definitely a tough one to pull off, and I'd echo the above sentiments (especially re: sound). Is it theatre outdoors or a site specific piece? Won't be much of a difference really but I think site specific is more workable rather than taking something that should be indoors and sticking it outside. IMO.

Good luck regardless.

Hrududu

Bob Z wrote: »

The play I had in mind doesn't involve any audience participation but should I make it as interactive as possible

In my opinion no. Audience participation is the worst

yeppydeppy

We ran the murder scene from The Field outside our theatre - it was a big success. However, we had the audience covered with a marquee type roof but were lucky it only rained maybe two or three nights. Although the rain really added to the atmosphere. We were also lucky with noise, although near a main road, it was autumn - so no silage tractors. The odd truck but it was usually fine as it was after 9pm.

DavidKeane

Hrududu wrote: »

In my opinion no. Audience participation is the worst

Agree 100%. Well, maybe 99%

echo beach

I recently saw Chapterhouse Theatre Company perform Wuthering Heights outdoors to a large crowd as part of the Errigal Arts Festival http://www.chapterhouse.org/show6.html

Those attending were asked to bring a rug or chair but a considerable amount of covered and uncovered seating was provided for the audience. The performers had no cover and no amplification, except for the music and sound effects.

Pros.
A unique experience. Many had brought along picnics, including wine and even champagne, which is a change from the usual interval snacks and drinks.
Very family friendly, with three generations in evidence among the audience.

Cons.
There was some traffic noise, mostly affecting those seated near the driveway. The sight of cars pulling up at the venue did rather take from the Victorian atmosphere!
Not as comfortable as the average indoor venue and access more difficult for those with mobility problems.
Weather is in the hands of the Gods. The rain stayed away until near the end but a very wet day would have been miserable, especially for the cast.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed an excellent show and would happily risk the elements to see this group again but I wouldn't underestimate the work and risks involved in putting on an outdoor performance.