Picasso at the Lapin - Play by Steve Martin - Essay Example

SECTION Synopsis of the play This refers to a brief explanation of the book content. The synopsis brings out the book owner, content and the environment within which the writings took place. In our case, we are analyzing the play Picasso at the lapin. Picasso at the lapin is a play by Steve martin. This book was written in 1993. The play puts across the behaviors and characters of Albert Einstein and Pablo Pablo Picasso, who are the main characters in the book. The two met in the lapin agile bar, located in Montmartre at Paris. The book was set in October 8th, 1904. While still interacting with other characters within the bar, Albert and Steve engage in a debate expressing their diverse ideas. The play proceeds with humor as the two characters express their potentials. Some other characters that are part of the Picasso at the lapin include the following: Freddy He is the owner of Lapin Agile. He is a simple-minded man in the play. Freddy is the boyfriend of Germaine. Gaston He is an abrupt and precise old French man. He is a real and open-minded person who does not like beer. Germaine She is the server at the Lapin Agile. She is a beautiful and idealistic woman with many thoughts of what the 21st century will be. At one point, Germaine slept with Picasso. Suzanne She is a beautiful girl 19 year old for Picasso. Suzanne is so much hurt when Picasso does not remember her yet they had slept together. Sagot He is a business-minded man who deals in arts. He is the one who sells arts to Picasso. Charles Dabernow Schmendiman He is young and inventive. Although he is less knowledgeable, he has great ambitions. The Countess - She is intelligent and attractive woman with whom Einstein is infatuated. A Female Admirer A young admirer Picasso assumes is a fan of his, but turns out to be an admirer of Schmendiman. The Visitor This is a talented country boy time-traveler and a musician. Section 2: Given Circumstances: Time, Place, society, economics, politics and law, learning and the arts, spirituality. The play takes place in the 21st century, probably 1904. The play is set in a bar in Paris know as Lapin Agile. Various economic activities are incorporated in the play. Such include business as presented by Sagot and Freddy. In his play, Steve Martin involves history. The play is also populated with an amusingly incontinent barfly by Gatons character and a wise server Germaine. The “Theory of Relativity” gives a circumstance of scientific argument. The play explains the similarity of the creative process involved in great leaps of imagination in art and science. Section 3: Before Time: Related to the Character autobiography, but specific to what occurs either just before the start of the play, or before each new entrance onto stage. Every new incidence and character brings in new information. Every time a character comes on stage, they portray who they are, and their stand in the society. In my case, I consider my character Germaine. Initially, Germaine was in a relationship with Picasso. However, she is termed as an understanding woman. She had learnt the character of Picasso and just pursued him sexually. Germaine uses that opportunity to feel powerful. The play begins while she is in the bar where she not only works as a attendant, but she is now in love with the bar owner-Freddy. Section 4: Character Autobiography: It is important that “you” know who “you” are as a character. Think of your own life and what you know about yourself that makes you as a person unique. Now, consider what makes your character unique. What does the playwright tell you about the character? What details must be added? If your character is historical, what other information might be necessary? Every character is important in a play. They pass out a certain message or trait that cannot be evident in any other character. The character traits can be established o three bases, what other characters say about her, what she says about herself and what the author says about her. Steven Martin, in his play Picasso at the lapin quotes Germaine as intelligent. Germaine one fell for Picasso, but later learnt her ambitions. However, she did not let go the opportunity, but used that chance to gain fame, and now, she has settled to Freddy. Section5: Objective(s): What do you want? Germaine, in her relationship with Picasso just needed power and the fame; experience what it feels to be an artist. She is now in a relationship with the bar owner – Freddy. Germaine now envies Einstein who has come to meet Picasso. To her, she just needs a man to settle. Section 6: Obstacles encountered My character – Germaine is a barmaid. Germaine, from what she tells has encountered a lot. She found herself an artist – Picasso. However, the relationship could not work since picasson was just after sleeping with her. To Germaine, this was a lesson she learnt. Being in that position, she used the opportunity to gain power. Regardless of her occupation, she cannot miss to get what she wants. Germaine confesses to have hooked up Picasso, just to find out what it was like with an artist, but now she needs something to settle at, and she is dating the bar owner – Freddy. Section 7:Rehearsal record My part in the play is Germaine I play the role of the server in the lapin Agile bar where the incidents take place. I rehearsed this part after class and during my leisure time. I could spare some little time before sleeping, and memorized on one or two verses. It took me three weeks to gain enough competence in my part of the play. I used my copy of the book as a reference material. I employed the mimicry technique, where I could dress in fancy way to portray the beauty of my character – Germaine. Work cited Martin, Steve. Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Other Plays. New York: Grove Press, 1996. Print. Read More