A Curtainless Stage

I watched Elephant's Graveyard at the Mondavi Center this afternoon, and not only did I come back with a few more perspectives on the controversies of science and newly-developed technology prolonging our life, or the conflict between placing the elderly in a nursing home or taking care of them at home, but I discovered that a theatrical stage can take many different forms.

Instead of a painted or borrowed backdrop, the stage set for Elephant's Graveyard included mirrors that spanned the entire length of the wall, which gave the room the illusion of size and the impression of an airy, open environment. They also provided a mirror image of the actors, which could be seen simultaneously with the actors in real time. Curved stairs that led to the upper right corner of the set were perfect for portraying Esme's ascent to the next life, and an effective way to separate and direct the audience's attention to the singer from the scene on the stage. The musicians playing live music off to the right corner next to the stage engaged the audience more than a prerecording could have.

The only drawback with the lack of traditional curtains and wings is that the scene changes, entrances and exits, and stagehand were quite visible. But the thing with art is that it adapts and changes to give us different experiences every once in a while. That's exactly what Elephant's Graveyard was about: the set was a work of art in itself.