Open Forum

We open Arsenic and Old Lace this Friday and I'm struggling with the decision as to the best placement of our intermission.  Our times will tighten over the next two days, but at the moment Act 1 (34 pg) is running 50 minutes, Act 2 (39 pg) is running 40 min, Act 3 (25 pg) is running 35 minutes.  I frequently anticipate about 1 minute per page, but that's probably my film background talking, it doesn't seem to always hold true for theatre.

What have you done for intermission with this play. What was your approximate length ?  Do you ever advocate for two intermissions?

Any advice is welcome.

Tisha

Hi,

   I've directed this play twice and used both intermissions in the script each time. I wanted to give our student performers and our audience an authentic theatrical experience such as it used to be.

  Teddy's charge ends Act I; Mortimer's timely entrance ends Act II. Kesselring structured this classic to have two intermissions at the points he placed them. I used them exactly as scripted.

  Running time with two 15 minute intermissions: approximately 2:35.  This is not a big deal.

  Intermissions are necessary for the following: audience socializing, restroom break, concessions, souvenirs, cast and crew get a break, make up and costume changes, set changes, clean up, etc.

  The audience exits having had a good old fashioned night at the theatre, and the cast and crew learn something about theatre history.

  It's your call; you have the vision as the director, and you know your audience.

  We did not receive one complaint. 

  This is a classic evergreen play and a magical night at the theatre!

  CHARGE!

We open Arsenic and Old Lace this Friday and I'm struggling with the decision as to the best placement of our intermission.  Our times will tighten over the next two days, but at the moment Act 1 (34 pg) is running 50 minutes, Act 2 (39 pg) is running 40 min, Act 3 (25 pg) is running 35 minutes.  I frequently anticipate about 1 minute per page, but that's probably my film background talking, it doesn't seem to always hold true for theatre.

What have you done for intermission with this play. What was your approximate length ?  Do you ever advocate for two intermissions?

Any advice is welcome.

Tisha

We open Arsenic and Old Lace this Friday and I'm struggling with the decision as to the best placement of our intermission.  Our times will tighten over the next two days, but at the moment Act 1 (34 pg) is running 50 minutes, Act 2 (39 pg) is running 40 min, Act 3 (25 pg) is running 35 minutes.  I frequently anticipate about 1 minute per page, but that's probably my film background talking, it doesn't seem to always hold true for theatre.

What have you done for intermission with this play. What was your approximate length ?  Do you ever advocate for two intermissions?

Any advice is welcome.

Tisha

We open Arsenic and Old Lace this Friday and I'm struggling with the decision as to the best placement of our intermission.  Our times will tighten over the next two days, but at the moment Act 1 (34 pg) is running 50 minutes, Act 2 (39 pg) is running 40 min, Act 3 (25 pg) is running 35 minutes.  I frequently anticipate about 1 minute per page, but that's probably my film background talking, it doesn't seem to always hold true for theatre.

What have you done for intermission with this play. What was your approximate length ?  Do you ever advocate for two intermissions?

Any advice is welcome.

Tisha