Group project: first development of the script

1) HESITATION

Dark. Audience scattered in the space (some people may be standing/walking). Words that can be heard during the entire duration of the performance, with different volume and intensities (es. One wispering voice at the beginning, more voices during high climax moments). Lights go up slowly. A moving figure can slowly be seen.
“Don’t cross over the river
Dear, don’t cross over the river”

2) ATTRACTION

(Try to show the hesitation that suddenly become attraction for water).
Reference Image: Dante Alighieri, Divina Commedia, Inferno, Canto III

“Figliuol mio,” disse il maestro cortese,
“quelli, che come muovo nell’ira di Dio,
tutti convegnon qui d’ogni paese;

e pronti sono a trapassar lo rio,
chè la divina giustizia gli sprona
sì che la tema si volge in disio.

“My son,” said the courteous Master,
who die under God’s wrath,
all assemble here from every country;

and they are prompt to pass the river,
for Divine justice spurs them so,
that fear is changed into desire.

At first as a reply to the voices, then it becomes more and more confused: “I’m crossing over the river” (can be whispered in member of audience’s ears)

3) FIGHT (Approach with the element and fight with it):

Sound:
Whispering “don’t cross over the river”
Clear recorded over voice: “what can I do for you”

In this part audience can be used as a “tool” for the performer. Something to which he may try to hold himself to avoid drowning. Or, on the contrary, audience can be seen as the water, so, an element in which the performer is going to be mixed with.

4) FUSION: Reference image: Ophelia

QUEEN: There is a willow grows aslant the brook that shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream;
Therewith fantastic garlands did she make
Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples
That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,
But our cold maids do dead men’s fingers call them.
There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds
Clamb’ring to hang, an envious sliver broke;
When down her weedy trophies and herself
Fell in the weeping brook.
Her clothes spread wide
And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up;
Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds,
As one incapable of her own distress,
Or like a creature native and indued
Unto that element; but long it could not be
Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,
Pull’d the poor wretch from her melodious lay
To muddy death.
Sounds: Words from the corean poem: “you are drowning with the flow, died at last”
“what can I do for you”
Moment of stillness or slow motion in which the complete fusion between the body and the environment (projections/scenography) itself can be perceived

5) TRANSFORMATION

Rebirth as a new thing (transformation) and detachment from the element. Something must be changed in his appearance and attitude. Silence. Change of light. Slow movement to stand. Standing still. Dark