Blocking Power October 13, 2008

Today when I was figuring out the blocking for my playgroup there is always the question of who holds the power. In Hamlet, Queen Gertrude (Glenn Close) backs herself up against the bed. She positioned herself in the weaker position. In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) places himself in a week position when he is first confronted by Mercutio. In the adaptation of Othello, there are many main characters, so there is always a power struggle. In the first scene, Othello (Jai) is standing behind a desk. This is very close to being a throne of power in the play. Iago (Mike) and Cassio (Sara) stand behind the desk at attention to show respect. Desdemona/Santiago is on the side of the desk because she has to work with both the rookies and the captain. In the last scene, Mike and I are behind the “desk of power” trying to obtain Jai and Carmen’s sense of power and comfort. However we fail and are arrested and put to shame.