LOOT: Stagecraft

Question 1

Corpse:
- Manipulated, abused and slowly de-individualised, (eg. (DENNIS) “deceased” / (HAL) “she’s minus her vital organs, isn’t she?” / (HAL) “It’s dust, Dad.”)

Answer 1

1. Woman being manipulated for personal gains - becomes a prop, not a person, despite Orton insisting that there be an actress in the bandages.
   -> Theatre used to comment on the manipulation of de-individualised women, for sex and for greed - objectification of actress.
2. Constant movement of the corpse - takes on a new life, partaking in this criminal activity.
   -> Ludicrous bypassing of the restraints of death - shocking yet comedic to audience.
   -> eg. a), bandaged corpse looks like an undead “mummy” and b), Mr McLeavy returns “heavily bandaged”, looking like a mummy/Jacobean corpse/ghost -> constant visual joke/return of corpse, inability to leave/escape.
   
   • The feeling that the body is being disrespected not only
     feeds into this view of women being abused, but is
     also the exact over-reverence Orton mocks:
   • Absurdity in the situation - not from how the corpse
     is being treated, but the excessive dwelling on death.
   • Nothing but a corpse, with lifelike qualities being
     bestowed comedically onto it!
     -> These anarchic images put the joke onto the audience, creating an atmosphere of pure Carnevalesque farce.
3. Stripping of the corpse - clothes represent dignity, therefore visual stripping of dignity.
   -> Also suggestions of necrophilia, even with the police man (Meadows) - “He wanted to undress it” -> Like a Jacobean play.
   
   • “He’s a married man with children” -> 60’s sex
     scandals.

Question 2

1. Car Horn
2. Black-edged Handkerchiefs
3. Wardrobe

Answer 2

1. Supposedly inappropriate/rude sound, interrupting “mourning” -> makes this scene farcical/clown-like, diminishing the arguably ridiculous importance/weight put on to these shows of sentimentality.
2. Black (mourning) only on the outside.
3. -> Repressed homosexuality?
   
   • Sexual desires -> Hal puts dead mother in there!
     Oedipus complex, “Freudian Nightmare”.
     -> Like a confessional box?
   • Sins - religion closed/blind to corruption.
     -> Farcical purposes?
   • Repeated attempts to open it - foolish, ridiculous.