Set Design and Construction: Barefoot in the Park

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Barefoot in the Park

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3205
Printed Date: 11/24/24 at 5:45am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Barefoot in the Park

Posted By: HongKongCV
Subject: Barefoot in the Park
Date Posted: 5/27/08 at 11:15am

I'm looking for some ideas with a production of "Barefoot in the Park".

First, I need a Franklin Stove (or something similar), but cannot locate a reasonably priced replica or mock-up. This one isn't critical, as it isn't referenced a lot in the script... we can do without it if we need to.

Second, and more importantly, I need a steam radiator attached to a flat about 6 feet up the wall. This is a plot item, and it's a must have. The problem I'm running into is that the real things are made of iron and have a tendency to be, well, incredibly heavy. I'm concerned about the ability of a free-standing wall (braced, of course) to support the weight, and I'm concerned that the wall will topple or the radiator will just pull loose and plummet to the stage... hopefully with no actors in the vicinity. Any ideas on how I can rig a realistic-looking but much lighter mock-up, or where I can purchase such a thing?

Replies:

Posted By: BadHabit
Date Posted: 8/01/08 at 2:47pm

Hi!

We just BITP- and here's what we did:

I cut the Franklin Stove. I think we changed one word in the line- and everything was fine. You're right, it's not that necessary-

For the radiator, we found one and placed it on the floor, with a pipe running up the flat. The lines in the play refer more to knob being high up (not specifically the actual radiator)- so we put the knob high enough that Corey couldn't reach it.

Hope that helps!

Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 8/08/08 at 5:12pm

Originally posted by HongKongCV

]First, I need a Franklin Stove (or something similar), but cannot locate a reasonably priced replica or mock-up. This one isn't critical, as it isn't referenced a lot in the script... we can do without it if we need to.

Just out of curiousity, is leaving out a prop or piece of funiture called for in the script also a violation of the licensing contract? Are you technially supposed to contact Dramatists or Samuel French to do this?

Posted By: boonie08
Date Posted: 11/04/08 at 2:48pm

We made ours out of cardboard rolls and added hardware, we ran a pipe up to it. Our designer was creative and it looked realistic.

Posted By: Goldberry
Date Posted: 11/05/08 at 1:19pm

I played Corie and we had teh stove placed just offstage. So that when I was cooking I would run back and forth (you know how you do when you're cooking, but talking with someone in the living room..)

Also the radiator we just placed teh handle or whatever high up, so I had to stand on a paint can to rech it.

That was one of the best sets I've worked on.

No, you can take props and set pieces out as your stage calls for them. I think they'd take more issue with you adding things to the script.

Posted By: skoehler
Date Posted: 11/05/08 at 3:55pm

Props and set pieces being cut shouldn't be a problems, unless you change or cut a line that refers to said piece, then it is a violation. That being said, I am not a lawyer, this is just my opinion.

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Steven Koehler
Managing Director
Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette
www.lafayettecivic.org