I was recently discussing theatrics with Wilkie (for our Easy Road explosion at
Long Island University). The Abbey Road LP is a terrifically fertile soil for
theatrics. Bringing the songs to life three-dimensionally during a stage show
of the full Abbey Road album is a fun challenge!
Let's examine a few of the more interesting ideas for a moment. We can ignore
the album's more obscure characters, like PC 31 or Ed Ryan for example (unless
we REALLY want to go over sheeple's heads).
Maxwell Edison
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Easy enough to pull off, with a doctor's surgical robe and one of those giant
inflatable hammers. Very effective, and eye-catching. It also wouldn't matter
what color the giant inflatable hammer is.
The Octopus
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The notion of a an Octopus being part of this performance with us captures the
imagination in so many ways. Going up and down the aisles and joining us on
stage, whatever, it's all good.
The Sun
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The Sun rises up from somewhere on stage, ever-so slowly, from behind something
large and dark, like Michael Zinn's bass cabinet perhaps? And then, when The
Sun is fully risen, after the song's "sun sun sun here it comes" section, The
Sun can join us on stage and frolic.
The World
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The World rotates in front of the stage, ever-so slowly, during the song
"Because". It begins to move towards the exit during the "wind" section, and is
gone by the time of the "sky" section.
Louis XIV
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During the song "Sun King", Louis XIV can stroll up and down the aisles, smiling
and waving to his loyal subjects (the audience). Maybe we can even give fresh
flowers to certain audience members, for the sole purpose of having people
gently toss flowers towards the king.
Mean Mr Mustard
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I love the notion of having Mean Mr Mustard sleeping in a hole during the entire
performance, up 'til the moment when this song comes along. He then suddenly
springs to life and prowls around like a mean old man, spouting obscenities
occasionally. Since this is a family-friendly performance, perhaps Mean Mr
Mustard should only shout obscenities of his own creation. Or perhaps he can
only use the Blue Meanie language.
