Writing, A Perplexing Endeavour.
Writing is not something I do phenomenally well, or so my high school marks would indicate. My newest writing project often looks more like a research project than any form of art. In fact, it would be easier to write lyrics and dialogue if all I needed to do was regurgitate facts. If being entertaining was all that was necessary, the process would be different as well. Also, writing stuff that's sole purpose is to be feasible on stage allows freedoms that I don't have. However, writing text that is historically accurate, aesthetically pleasing and dramatically plausible is like waiting for three spirits to simultaneously inspire you.

One piece of information that I think is pivotal to understanding 16th century Reformation and Radical Reformation (including the Anabaptists) thinkers is their apocalyptic expectation, so I think it would make a good setting for an introductory scene.

The opening to Revelation 5, where the four horsemen of the apocalypse are introduced coincides very easily with a summary of events in Europe around that time. End times theology also generally includes an element of preparatory spiritual cleansing, thus further adding to the impetus to change.

With little effort, that "historical accuracy" can be written and told in such a way that stimulates the mind of the audience, but to make it work on stage is a whole separate battle. Getting real horses would not be an option, even if I could find a pale green horse of death. To change it so it works better on stage almost requires to change the "historical accuracy". It's a complicated dance.

In this rambling, I'm not so much soliciting ideas as trying to invoke these three spirits.

   [ posted by William @ 9:14 PM ]