Terry Hand’s production of ‘The Balcony’ by Jean Genet at the RSC in 1971 was easily the most peculiar piece of theatre TP was ever involved in. Regarded as a masterpiece it is possibly best described as absurdist allegory, taking place in a brothel where a microcosm of characters enact rituals and sex games which are intended to reflect the power dynamics and corruption of the outside world.
The setting, the make-up scheme and the costumes each add to the sense of a grotesque dystopia with the authority figures placed high on stilts to emphasise their dominance.
In this production still taken at a rehearsal TP is pictured along with Philip Locke, Brenda Bruce and Clement McCallin. Out of costume, the stilts on which they will perform are clearly visible. TP recalled that this made for an arduous evening on the steeply raked stage of the Aldwych Theatre and it was not unknown for some of the actors to topple backwards.
Fascinating! Never seen this before.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a wonder what comes up on Ebay! This is the original of a press shot which appeared in a very tightly cropped version alongside a preview for the production in The Observer.
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