Dames Grendela (Alexandra Boroff) and Anu (Sarah Liz Bell) stand ten seconds away from spontaneous combustion. The Magistress (Lauren Miller) vainly seeks to placate the braggadocias, while the Duchess (Amanda Carson) gives new energy to the phrase, “If looks could kill.”
Scene 1.2 was the first scene I wrote for The Wayward Women. It was inspired by one of my earliest and most enjoyable experiences with Unrehearsed Shakespeare: the Gauge scene from Richard II. The mass of noblemen petulantly throwing their gauntlets on the ground in vain challenge was so hilarious, and reached an absurd climax when Aumerle demands a glove from the audience, as every gauge in the room is already on the floor. The rapidity and spontaneity of Unrehearsed granted it this beautiful air of “Oh, what’d you say! Well how ’bout this!” It was like teenagers fighting at a party.
With a smaller cast and only two such braggarts, it was difficult at first to think of a way to recreate that sentiment. So, I just asked myself, “What do you do when you’re out of gauntlets?” The answer became readily apparent, and I think it has resulted in a pretty hilarious moment.
COSTUMES by Delena Bradley
LIGHTING by Benjamin Dionysus
PHOTO by INDie Grant Productions, LLC