Fire can represent many themes of the piece; sex, as you have physical heat and the colour symbolises passion, love, and lust. Danger, for example you have the term ‘jail bate’ or the fact that this topic is linked to criminal behaviour and blood, could symbolise female puberty in a physical definition.
The use of fire links into my piece as I wanted to find a way to show the transformation from child to adult. The idea that this is an irreversible process and a natural right of passage, I wanted a way to show this on stage. I had previously mentioned the blend of my show having sections of personal work but also being a relatable and effective for the masses. I had thought about using childhood photographs from my own life in the performance hanging across the top of the cube on string. The start of the play would consist of the audience entering into the space and moving around the stage in the first minute and a half. They are able to view the photographs closely and explore the space before they are seated.
Once they are seated I will collect most of the images and one buy one set them on fire by putting them into a fire pit that is slightly open so the audience can see the flame. Since having this idea I have spoken to Martin and the tech team and the fire pit idea isn’t achievable as having a fire that large so close to the audience is a hazard. Instead we have found a happy medium, I will set each picture on fire with a large kitchen lighter then place them into a bucket filled with water, petroleum jelly or sand depending on what works best.
I really like the look the fire has created on the photo and when practicing with the petroleum jelly the flame didn’t go out so I tried it with the water which worked a lot better. I will be checking with Martin on this very soon as I am concerned by the smoke and smell coming from the pictures as they have the photograph film over the top which is creating the smell of plastic. I am excited to see what the finished out come looks like.
Work Cited:
Cole, S. (2017) Prep Pictures.
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