My unifying vision. The vision I have of the play Ruined is one of denial and truth. Mama is in an obvious state of denial towards the things going on outside of her place. She has a hard exterior that tells us she is the power of her own house. In reality Mama is a hurt war wounded woman. In reality she has no power over what goes on in her bar and is at risk of losing her business and her girls at any moment. I want to portray a message of truth about what is going on in the Congo, as well as many other parts of Africa. American and European media only covers the chaos if they cover news from that part of the world at all. The situations innocent people are put in and the mindless abuse by soldiers and “liberators” are something that the world needs to take note of. Neocolonialism has put these countries in their current positions and as responsible individuals we must get the world powers to act in a way that this conflict might be ended. I want to set the play in an unrealistic setting in the beginning and have the costumes, lighting, and setting break down as the play progresses and Mama lets herself be realistic about how dangerous her position is living in the Congo.
Theatre
The theatrical space I ended with was the Radio City Music Hall located in Manhattan. I choose this location for the fact that it is the largest inside theatre in the world. It sees more than three hundred million people since it opened. It is a large attraction for people from all over the U.S. and foreign travelers. Ruined sends an important message and mass awareness will give the best hope for action to these events that are going on in other parts of the world. Scenic Design
The setting of the bar I would look for is simple and clean. Fairly classy, and a nice pool table to the side. A little stage where Sophie sings, and a band to the side. Eventually the bar would become more run-down. The pool table would be ripped and warped, the bar stools would be rough looking. Most of the people in the congo live in slums, the rusty metal, splintered wood, and peeling paint would definitely portray a realistic feeling for the audience.
The biggest part of this production would be a drop behind the set where real images of what is taking place in the congo on the screen. These images would be used to emphasize statements, create an undeniable reality for the audience, and move with the breakdown of Mama's facade.
Costume Design
Something like this for the girls in the beginning of the play. As the soldiers and rebels both start hanging out in the bar and Mama starts to break down into who she really is the costumes begin to show hints of reality. The outfits would be the same but loose and torn, darker colors. When the climax happens as they hear the gun fire and the soldiers start to approach the costumes will be completely realistic. All the women, soldiers, and Mr. Harari will have a new costume to change this.
Another example of outfit styles for Sophie, Josephine, and Salima.
Mama's costume, probably in a solid red. It would make her stand out and seem very confident. This would wear down as well. Eventually Mama would be dressed in an old, faded dress.
The soldiers and rebels would have matching costumes. I want something simple that makes them faceless so each would be in a black suit and the difference would be in the color of their ties. Osembenga and Kisembe would have something slightly more elaborate also featuring their sides color. Osembenga would be in more of a mobster style of dress and Kisembe would look like a politic.
Christian would be in an outdated, homey looking suit, very much like a traveling salesman.
Mr. Harari would be in a white suit consistently throughout the show. He shows profit and gain and exploits the Congo in his own way. I would not change much about him when Mama makes the change in character, the Congo isn't permanent for his character.
Lighting
The lighting in the beginning of the play should be very dreamlike. The lights should create a warm but false feeling on the stage.
This image to me has a very dreamlike feel to it and I would like the inside of the bar to look like this. Eventually the lights will become dirty looking, reds will fade in when the soldiers and commanders come and go from Mama's place. It will create a sense of danger, until the final scene where Mama dances with Christian. It will be white and soft and warm, but this time not so fuzzy, it will be more genuine.
Sound
The sounds throughout the play would go along with the congo setting. Occasionally noises will be heard from the outside of the bar, gunshots, animals, occasional yells. I want these things to go on softly from outside the bar to reinforce that safety feeling of the indoors. When the soldiers start to invade the bar and threaten Mama and the women the sounds become loud and chaotic, the barrier of the walls has been broken at this point. Since the setting is a bar the music would be cheery and progress into something more somber. The band would play with Sophie and a jukebox would be present (eventually turning into an old scratchy radio).
This could be an interesting twist on the production of this play, and still tell a strong message. The use of pictures will be a great aid to the message, but as the play end with a glimmer of hope I would want the imagery to show the the great good and happiness people are capable of, as opposed to the horrors we can create. I would hope this production would really move the audience and it would become more to them than just a show.
