Live Theatre Trek

[David.Blue]

I never seem to see this mentioned as an option. Perhaps because folks seem so focussed on special effects. But didn't TOS manage to do some excellent stuff in ways that really seemed almost like a stage play? In fact I can think of several classic Trek episodes that might function very well "live" with hardly any budget at all. "Balance of Terror" comes to mind, as does "The Conscience of the King."

Having written that much, an idea arises in my dark little cave of a mind for a Trek play, about a court martial that maybe explores some of the growing pains of a young Federation...

Hmmmmm...

 

[LadyT'Anna]

I never seem to see this mentioned as an option. Perhaps because folks seem so focussed on special effects. But didn't TOS manage to do some excellent stuff in ways that really seemed almost like a stage play? In fact I can think of several classic Trek episodes that might function very well "live" with hardly any budget at all. "Balance of Terror" comes to mind, as does "The Conscience of the King."

Having written that much, an idea arises in my dark little cave of a mind for a Trek play, about a court martial that maybe explores some of the growing pains of a young Federation...

Hmmmmm...

It's interesting that you should mention this, David. I very much enjoyed both "Balance of Terror" and "The Conscience of the King," and my favorite episodes tend to be those where the characters remain aboard ship for the duration rather than bopping all over the galaxy. I'm a fewer-special-effects, more-character-work gal all the way, and as it happens, I've written an atypical Spock TOS novella (see signature) that's set almost exclusively aboard the Enterprise. And I've been curious about whether this novella could become a play or perhaps a set of episodes. It does include a court martial, but one unrelated to Federation growing pains.

(Edited to add: I saw "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at 10 and fell in love with Shakespeare there and then. I was a literature major in college, and dramatic tragedy was one of my foci. I've also written sonnets in my spare time.)

Might you be intrigued?

 

[David.Blue]

Yes, I'm intrigued. Be fascinating (heh) to see some more actors play the roles from TOS.

 

[LadyT'Anna]

Yes, I'm intrigued. Be fascinating (heh) to see some more actors play the roles from TOS.

Would you care to give the novella a spin and let me know what you think? I'd be interested to know whether you think it could be adapted in some way. We appear to share something of a cllassics background, so perhaps my writing voice won't come as a complete shock to you.

Do you have scripts/stories of your own to share?

 

[David.Blue]

I have written no Trek stories, but am a published playwright. Am extremely busy for the next month, directing a play I wrote.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

I never seem to see this mentioned as an option. Perhaps because folks seem so focussed on special effects. But didn't TOS manage to do some excellent stuff in ways that really seemed almost like a stage play?

see these
The Dream Box play
http://www.trekbbs.com/showpost.php?p=3011233&postcount=10

and TOS “Mirror, Mirror” episode as a stage play
http://www.trekbbs.com/showpost.php?p=5085577&postcount=51

see the 51 replies to this thread
A 'Star Trek' musical theater play possible? [Broadway]

 

[Kor]

I never seem to see this mentioned as an option. Perhaps because folks seem so focussed on special effects. But didn't TOS manage to do some excellent stuff in ways that really seemed almost like a stage play?

In general, television production in its earlier days was more like stage play production. Trek was still influenced by this approach.

Kor

 

[LadyT'Anna]

I never seem to see this mentioned as an option. Perhaps because folks seem so focussed on special effects. But didn't TOS manage to do some excellent stuff in ways that really seemed almost like a stage play?

In general, television production in its earlier days was more like stage play production. Trek was still influenced by this approach.

Kor

Good thing, too, Kor. I'll wager that's why most of the scripts were as good as they were.

David, have you had a chance to look at my novella, or are you working on other projects at present? (If the latter, I'll understand; I'm still fighting my way out from under, too!)