A scene is like stairs to the play. You’ve to step up for a play to progress.
A scene is like the building blocks of any play. Several scenes are woven together form an act, and several acts are interlaced to form a play. It’s like a short-break where the production team change the settings of the stage, such as the placement of props. It’s used when the location changes from one place to another. For instance, the existing scene, which is happening in a courtroom, and the next scene, which is going to happen in the police station or outside the court, will be a scene shift in between. It also alerts the actors to get ready for the next set of actions and stand at the wings to enact their role.
How does it happen: Earlier, it was done with the help of the curtain. Nowadays, in modern theatre, there is a fade out (switching off every light on the stage for small intervals), crossfade, with a faint light illuminating some parts of it for the production team to place the next set of props on the stage. One can see the quick movements of the crew members on the stage during this time.
Duration: 15-30 seconds
Significance: To initiate action, create conflict or instability. It builds suspense where the audience eagerly waits for the next one to start. Hence, the reason it is kept short. It also gives the audience time to anticipate or imagine the next set of actions that are going to unfold on the stage. Actors try to create intimacy with the audience. The first scene sets the tone of the play, whereas the last scene reconciles all the conflicts that unfold on the stage during the course. Hence, it should be written that way.
Act: A major structural division is marked by the change of act. It signals a significant shift in time, setting, or plot, where Act 1 introduces the play, Act 2 deals with the rising action and resolution in Act 3/5.
Note: Sound and light effects enhance the audience’s perception.
A Scene in the Play: Let There Be Light
An evening scene in the city cafe, which is sparsely occupied. A young author, in his mid-20s, sits with a cup of coffee and a book. He is engrossed in reading the novel and sips coffee occasionally. A girl, also in her mid 20s, sits at the table beside her, which is separated by some distance. She is working on her laptop. The stage, which is illuminated sufficiently with the evening rays of the sun, slowly dims as the sun dips into the horizon. It may be achieved with the help of dimmers. He talks to himself occasionally, reflecting on the novel he is reading. He fails to notice the darkness enveloping the stage as he is engrossed in the novel. When the last ray of light is about to disappear, the girl stands straight, moves to the switchboard and switches on the light. The footlights illuminate the area surrounding the boy instantly. The area around the girl illuminates slowly. The person, in his youth, gets startled, looks sideways and finds the girl on the table beside him. She is occupied with her laptop.
(Lights Fade in)
Author (affectionately). Hi! Thanks a lot.
Girl (promptly, as if waiting). God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Author. Genesis 1:3, Bible.
Girl. Yes! Have you read it?
Author (knowingly). Read what?
Girl (in elevated tone). Bible, Obvio!
Author (imitating). Obvio! No!
Girl (inquisitively). Then?
Author. It’s just that I am a student of English literature.
Girl. Thought so.
Author. How?
Girl. It seems that you’ll chew that book.
Author. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested…
Girl (interrupting). “Some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few are to be read wholly, and..
Both together. ….with diligence and attention!
Author (inquisitively). How did you know Bacon?
Girl. You’re not the only person knowing literature here.
Author. I never said that. Btw, I am elated.
Girl. I too!
They stand at their respective seats, move toward each other, and stop at a certain distance. Their footlights merge into each other.
(Lights Fade out)
©Shashank
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