The Love of the Nightingale: Prop design

Practical Elements - Prop Design

Role of Props:

Props in “The Love of the Nightingale” often hold symbolic significance, working to deepen the audience’s understanding of the themes and character relationships.

Key Props:

Nightingale: A vital prop, the nightingale symbolises the silenced voice of Philomele and her transformation to escape her oppressors.
The sword: Represents the military power of the King and the male dominance in the society.
The loom and woven tapestry: Philomele’s means of communication after her violation - highlights the theme of story-telling and art as a means of revealing truth.

Aesthetic Considerations - Prop Design

Building Atmosphere:

Props should be designed in a way that they complement the overall aesthetic and work to establish the atmosphere of ancient Greece while retaining a relevance to the modern audience.

Visual Styles:

The use of Brechtian minimalism in prop design can foreground the story and themes instead of creating a realistic setting.
The choice of colours and textures can reflect the emotional state of the characters and represent the contrasting worlds of the military court and the weaving room.

Conceptual Ideas - Prop Design

Non-Naturalistic Elements:

The props can be abstract or non-naturalistic, supporting the metatheatrical elements of the play. For example, the nightingale may not be a realistic bird but symbolic or an abstract representation.

Exploring Themes:

Props can be used to reinforce the gender inequality theme - masculine props such as the sword and throne for the men, versus the domestic tools like the loom for the women.
Props like the bloody tongue can be disturbingly realistic to shock the audience and intensify the tragedy.

Direct Audience Engagement:

The use of props can enhance the Brechtian style of the performance, provoking audiences to think critically about the play’s themes and messages, rather than becoming emotionally immersed.

Conclusion:

Exploring the prop design for “The Love of the Nightingale” reveals the potential for visual symbolism and thematic reinforcement, enriching the audience’s experience and understanding of Wertenbaker’s complex blend of ancient and modern storytelling.