This is a picture of me when I was young and skinny. Michael Colby Jones is the murderer here.
When we were actually in production doing this scene, in the Scottish Play, we only had two swords. Michael, playing our terrifying lead, would basically kick the crap out of me (Young Siward) in a sword duel, disarming me and killing me with my own weapon. (Thanks Carrie Brewer!) Then, he would throw the sword into the ground in quite the manly fashion. Sean Elias-Reyes, playing MacDuff, would run on, grab the discarded weapon, and finish Michael off.
One might, right at the beginning of the fight, my sword broke into three pieces (the blade, the grip and the guard.) I was standing there with the grip only, as Michael, looking quite in character, approached, looking like he was happy I was unarmed.
I did the worst ad lib in the history of Shakespeare. I put up my hands and, before I thought better of it, said "Can we talk about this?" Audibly. The audience guffawed. I then ran away.
Sean killed Michael holding only the blade.
I still have that green shirt. It's got little holes in it where the makeshift and banged up sword would pull on my torso. Nostalgia.
Fun times. Fun times indeed. I miss acting some days. Like today.
1 comment:
At Emerson College, Matt Freeman was well known for being able to take a hit. He could job and put the attacker over with the crowd. Therefore, he was beaten or killed many times over those years. I think it is good he brought that skill set to the New York City Shakespeare scene.
Post a Comment