F. Ed Knutson Blogopolis

Come see MacBeth, please?

Last week I returned from performing "Morphotic" by Shawn Hackler <
http://site.butcherblocklv.com/ > in the Kansas City Fringe Fest.

Then I got my lines for playing the parts of 'Old Man', and 'Doctor' in
the Insurgo Theater Movement production of Wm Shakespeare's Tragedy of
MacBeth.

So it opens Friday, and I'd like you to come see it, if not on opening
night when there'll be a champagne celebration afterward, come another
showing until Sept.
http://www.insurgotheater.org

"Theater, it's not for everyone. But if you don't try it, you'll knever
know" F. Ed Knutson.

See ya...

Ed

posted by F. Ed @ 11:48 PM 0 comments

Hello from Ed again;
 
I just returned from Kansas City, Missouri performing in the play
"Morphotic - A Kafka Fable" by my friend Shawn Hackler.
The play was part of many being done at the Kansas City Fringe Festival 2010.
 
The stinkin' humidity was near 100% and the temps were 95 to 100* F.
The barbeque was great, cool bars, and beautiful old buildings etcetra,
but I was sweating so much, I didn't even want to take a walk in the park!
The locals were even talking about how terrible the weather was!
 
I'm glad to be back where we say;
"sure it gets hot here in 'Vegas, but it's a dry heat"!
I am in the middle of rehearsals for Shakespeare's "MacBeth"
where I will be playing two character roles.
I'll be "Old Man", go figure, and "Doctor" in "MacBeth"
HERE IS A SAMPLE from the script. I play an ancient for the times, 70 year old wise man.
Imagine me bent over with a walking staff, using my old old man voice.

SCENE IV. Outside Macbeth's castle.

Enter ROSS and an old Man

Old Man

Threescore and ten I can remember well:
Within the volume of which time I have seen
Hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore night
Hath trifled former knowings.

Ah, good father,
Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act,
Threaten his bloody stage: by the clock, 'tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp:
Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,
That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
When living light should kiss it?

'Tis unnatural,
Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last,
A falcon, towering in her pride of place,
Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd.

And Duncan's horses--a thing most strange and certain--
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make
War with mankind.

'Tis said they eat each other.
***********************************************
 
For the part of the Doctor, which I also really enjoy, I get to observe
Lady MacBeth sleepwalking and sleeptalking about the horrid murders...
whooooo, spooo.. sppppooo.... spppoooky!

SCENE I. Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle.

Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman

Doctor

I have two nights watched with you, but can perceive
no truth in your report. When was it she last walked?

Gentlewoman

Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen
her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon
her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it,
write upon't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again
return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.

Doctor

A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once
the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of
watching! In this slumbery agitation, besides her
walking and other actual performances, what, at any
time, have you heard her say?

Gentlewoman

That, sir, which I will not report after her.

Doctor

You may to me: and 'tis most meet you should.

Gentlewoman

Neither to you nor any one; having no witness to
confirm my speech.
Enter LADY MACBETH, with a taper
Lo you, here she comes! This is her very guise;
and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her; stand close.

Doctor

How came she by that light?

Gentlewoman

Why, it stood by her: she has light by her
continually; 'tis her command.

Doctor

You see, her eyes are open.

Gentlewoman

Ay, but their sense is shut.

Doctor

What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs her hands.

Gentlewoman

It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus
washing her hands: I have known her continue in
this a quarter of an hour.

LADY MACBETH

Yet here's a spot.

Out, damned spot! out, I say!--One: two: why,
then, 'tis time to do't.--Hell is murky!--Fie, my
lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we
fear who knows it, when none can call our power to
account?--Yet who would have thought the old man
to have had so much blood in him.

Doctor

Do you mark that?

LADY MACBETH

The thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?--
What, will these hands ne'er be clean?--No more o'
that, my lord, no more o' that: you mar all with
this starting.

Doctor

Go to, go to; you have known what you should not.

Gentlewoman

She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of
that: heaven knows what she has known.

LADY MACBETH

Here's the smell of the blood still: all the
perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little
hand. Oh, oh, oh!

Doctor

What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.

Gentlewoman

I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the
dignity of the whole body.

Doctor

This disease is beyond my practise: yet I have known
those which have walked in their sleep who have died
holily in their beds.

LADY MACBETH

Wash your hands, put on your nightgown; look not so
pale.--I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried; he
cannot come out on's grave.

Doctor

Even so?

LADY MACBETH

To bed, to bed! there's knocking at the gate:
come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What's
done cannot be undone.--To bed, to bed, to bed!
Exit

Doctor

Will she go now to bed?

Gentlewoman

Directly.

Doctor

Foul whisperings are abroad: unnatural deeds
Do breed unnatural troubles: infected minds
To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets:
More needs she the divine than the physician.
God, God forgive us all! Look after her;

Gentlewoman

Good night, good doctor.
 
Doctor
I think... but dare not speak.


 

posted by F. Ed @ 10:18 AM 0 comments