Discussed: The Cold, Cold Winter (And How It Almost Broke Her Heart) (FB play)
The Cold, Cold Winter is a three-act drama charting the break-up of a relationship between Tom and Imogen, as Tom's illogical obsession with his work documenting deaths around the world takes him further and further from his loved ones. Because I wrote the thing, rather than comment on what was good/bad about it, I'm just going to note some of the major changes that the reading suggested:
- There was a call for more of the data / toying with data that Tom does. That would provide a more fitting contrast with the heavily 'emotional' discussions he has with Edward and Imogen.
- The data could also be better explained if it were being pitched to Edward rather than Imogen. We already known Imogen is intimately involved with the death-project; in I.1, she doesn't need it re-explained to her and it's too much of an exposition. Why not leave the audience wondering until I.2 when Edward arrives?
- The central scene, II.1, could be tightened and reworked. After a second reading by IE and CW, it became apparent that the scene could be practically inverted and it would still have the same, if not more weight. It requires a thorough re-write.
- After these three major changes, a consideration of the final act is of course meet, to see how they have changed and what needs to be adjusted to stay in keeping with the piece. In other words: REWRITE.
Roll on draft 4 or 5.
