[SML] live trees as scenery

[Paul G.]

I have used live (dead but real) trees, vines, and other foliage on stage may times. Interesting that here in Hawai'i, where the flying humongous cockroach (aka "B-52's") should be the state bird and mosquitos are unbelievably predatory, following you from room to room and precisely zeroing in on the one unprotected square 1/4" of skin (has to be seen to be believed... the little shits must have some sophisticated targeting mechanism) that I never experienced insect problems from the greens. Unpleasant odors from some of the vines (aka "pilau" vines... means "stinky" in Hawai'ian) but no bugs.

On a side note, there was an instance that a HUGE cockroach ambled across the stage during a monologue that took place in an upscale hotel set. It could easily be seen from the back row of the proscenium house. (Can you spell "upstage"? How about "steal focus"?) The actor, remaining in character, walked over and squashed the bug and ad-libbed a comment about speaking to housekeeping.

Laters,

Paul 1

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