Script Breakdown

Script breakdown, although standard proceedure, always proves endlessly helpful. This chart indicates costume changes/considerations, changes of scene, props and the musical influence for each scene. Having done this I can now move on with my designing knowing that looking at this chart I will consider all aspects of the performance both practically and visually. Although this one will suffice I would like to create another chart with further detail later on in the design process including any notes from the Musicians, Director and possibly cast so it is entirely specific to this performance and aids the collaboration fo the project.

Script Breakdown – A Soldier’s Tale –Igor Stravinsky

Act 1

Scene	Cast	Time	Place	Basic Plot	Atmosphere	Props	Wardrobe
1	Soldier Devil (as old man)	1917 – During ww1	‘The Banks of a Stream’	Soldier returning to village with 10 days leave Devil tricks the Soldier into losing 3 days of his leave to teach violin. Gives soldier magic book.	Trickery	Violin Magic book pack	Devil disguised as man with butterfly net
2	Soldier Devil (as cattle merchant)	3 years have passed	Native village (At crossroads in open country. Frontier post and village belfry in the distance.)	Finds he has been away 3 years not 3 days Magic book can make him a fortune.	Bewilderment, anger, despair,	Magic book	Cattle merchant guise
3	Soldier Devil ( as clothes woman)		A room	Soldier disillusioned by wealth wants fiddle back *	Despair Anger Distraught	Magic book Fiddle ‘wares’	Old clothes woman guise for devil Add sense of wealth to Soldier

Script Breakdown – A Soldier’s Tale –Igor Stravinsky

Act 2

Scene	Cast	Time	Place	Basic Plot	Atmosphere	Props	Wardrobe
4	Soldier Devil (virtuoso violinist)		A room of the palace	Soldier travels to an inn. Hears Kings daughter is ill and a reward will be given to her curer. Plies devil l with wine and plays cards until Devil is unconscious and steals back fiddle.	Rewards/ satisfaction Gaming Temptation	Cards Fiddle Wine Glasses Money	Devil as violinist Indication of Soldier’s lost wealth
5	Soldier Devil (as self) Princess		Princess’s bedroom	Plays fiddle to Princess and she recovers and dances: Tango Waltz Ragtime Devil appears and Soldier fiddles him into contortions and they drag him off stage	Triumphant Joy Love Success Redemption	Couch Fiddle	Distinguish Devil as self yet recognisable from previous scenes
6	Soldier Devil (as self) Princess	Sometime after marriage	Native Village (as scene 2)	Couple decide to visit Native land. As he crosses the frontier falls into the Devils power who has also reclaimed the fiddle. Soldier follows Devil slowly but with no resistance.	Succumbing to Devil’s will Failure Power of fate Sadness Regret Loss of power Resignment		Suggested Devil wears ‘gorgeous scarlet apparel’ Should appear royal/ empowered