Comments on: Looking for theatre plays with important light prop

Question: Looking for theatre plays with important light prop

landonmoon — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:17:27 -0800

I'm looking for major theatrical plays, set no later than 1950, that feature a lamp, flashlight, or other luminous prop as important to the story. If possible, please summarize the prop's usage including where in the story the prop is used. Thanks in advance!

By: trip and a half

trip and a half — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:19:07 -0800

Gas Light

By: dlugoczaj

dlugoczaj — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:25:42 -0800

The play should be set no later than 1950 or written no later than 1950?

By: Sidhedevil

Sidhedevil — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:38:45 -0800

Long Day's Journey Into Night. Turning electric lights on and off is a recurring theme throughout.

By: Mchelly

Mchelly — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:56:05 -0800

In the original play of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell was played by a moving light accompanied by bells.

By: milk white peacock

milk white peacock — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:10:19 -0800

Invisible Man. Link includes relevant photos.

From the Wikipedia article about the novel upon which the play is based:

In the Prologue, Ellison's narrator tells readers, "I live rent-free in a building rented strictly to whites, in a section of the basement that was shut off and forgotten during the nineteenth century." In this secret place, the narrator creates surroundings that are symbolically illuminated with 1,369 lights from the electric company Monopolated Light & Power. He says, "My hole is warm and full of light. Yes, full of light. I doubt if there is a brighter spot in all New York than this hole of mine, and I do not exclude Broadway." The protagonist explains that light is an intellectual necessity for him since "the truth is the light and light is the truth." From this underground perspective, the narrator attempts to make sense out of his life, experiences, and position in American society.

By: ausdemfenster

ausdemfenster — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:18:26 -0800

I don't know if you're only looking for non-musical shows, but: The Phantom of the Opera? A very large chandelier comes to life and rises grandly from the stage at the beginning of the show, and crashes back down as a major plot point mid-show.

By: landonmoon

landonmoon — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:22:58 -0800

@dlugoczaj - Set no later than 1950.

Thanks everyone for the tips!

Does anyone know of scripts calling for hand props that light up and are important to the story, such as flashlights or other luminescent devices?

By: Grither

Grither — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 06:49:47 -0800

Err... A Christmas Story is now a broadway musical, does that count?

(I am thinking the very big prize of the 'leg lamp' that the father receives. "Frah-gee-lay! Must be Italian!"

By: amtho

amtho — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 07:01:04 -0800

Candles?

In "The Glass Menagerie", the play ends with one character exhorting another to blow out candles.

By: Mchelly

Mchelly — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:20:51 -0800

Okay, here's another: The one-act Sorry, Wrong Number has the police coming in with flashlights at the end to reveal the murder -- I don't remember if the murderer also uses one earlier on.