Lights of Venna; Pre-Production; Economic Consideration

originally posted September 5, 2006

We were out early enough last evening to see the Lamp Lighters illuminating the colored lanterns up and down the baker's row on which the Inn is situated. It is a simple thing. Colored lights. The pale walls and dark cobblestones alike pick up a variety of hues. It is especially beautiful after a rain. People come out in the evening, both those living in the city proper and those who are domiciled in the villas which are mostly just north or west of the city. Some patronize the shoppes, others enjoy the sport of the Stadium of Tharlarions and some are simply there to eat in the various taverns that they might dine amongst one another. Were I to turn the girls out in Venna, I have no doubt the coins would flow freely, but I have other plans. With much of their days given to leisure, my little actresses have had ample time to study their lines and perfect their timing. By the end of the hand, I have not yet chosen the day, 'The Bridge of Twenty Lanterns' will be performed on the street in front of the Inn. The proprietor is a good fellow. I have patronized his Inn each time I visited Venna. There is a scene where my Bina and Brigella must change from robes of concealment to simpler, low caste garb with beaded anklets. Rep-cloth tunics, such that reach their knees should be sufficient. When they exit 'stage left', so to speak, to effect the costume change, they will do so in the front room of the Inn. The proprietor did not seem to have a problem with having either Portia or Sana naked in his front room, brief as that 'performance' will be. For his generosity, I think I will send the two of them to his apartment for the evening, following the performance. Should the play be well received, he will be able to boast to his fellows at the taverns that he coupled (tripled?) with both Bina and Brigella. I will lose some potential coin, perhaps a good deal of it, from not offering the two of them up to bids in the audience, but the Inn Keeper is a good fellow. When the bowls are circulated after the performance, hopefully the donations will be generous enough to defray the loss.