Love's Labour's Lost: 1940s

I apologize for the lack in writing. I've been sick for the past week and it has been a little challenging. But luckily I was well-enough to go watch the play on Saturday.
Love's Labour's Lost. There were definitely a lot of things that I liked, but also some things that I didn't...

PROS:
-Scene Setting
  - I liked the 1940s theme. It added a more modern take to Shakespeare, but in a well done way.
-Good Attempt at Language
  - In order to keep the flow of the play going, they had to add lines. It was definitely a pretty decent attempt.
-Portrayal of Characters
  -The portrayal of the characters were well done. Costard was probably my favorite in both adaptations that I have seen (Globe theatre version and the BYU adaptation). The use of body language by the actor really helped bring the character to life.


CONS:
-The Attempt at Language
   -I know I said earlier that it was a decent attempt, and I still agree with that. But, I don't think it flowed too well with the play. Love's Labour's lost is all about word-play and wit. And though there wasn't much added on, I felt as if the lines written didn't go too well with the original Shakespearean play. 
-The Flow of the Play
   -Some of the parts were confusing and a little hard to stand, even for someone who has read the play.  In the Merchant of Venice, I found it easier to follow along. Mind you, it was for kids, whereas this play is a little less than kid friendly, but I had hoped since I read it, I would be able to follow along better. 
I also did not like how they crammed the first four acts into the first hour and fifteen minutes or so, and then made the fifth act almost as long. When the fifth act came, though I knew what was gonna happen, I still wished they made it shorter and more straight to the point like they did for the first four acts. The fifth act is the finale and brings everything together, and yet watching it was tedious. I lost interest. 


I still enjoyed the play as a whole and thought it was well done. It helped me come up with some ideas of what can maybe help me on the final project.
Either way, kudos to them.

Venice during the Renaissance Era

For the Duke of Venice (tentative name), I was looking for more of stagecraft and setting, since Sarah and Marina came up with some wonderful plot scenarios.

The fashions during the renaissance period changed quite a few times, but not in intense ways.

The more wealthy used really expensive fabrics and often had jewelry sewn into their outfits to show extravagance. The fancier your clothes and the more expensive, showed just how much more wealthy you were than other people. For example, Francisco and Filippa would be dressed more like these people --->
The ladies had really puffy tops, but less than puffy bottoms. Their hair was always long, but braided. Often times, they had a headdress to cover their hair.

The men wore tunics and stockings, if you will. However, their tunics were either very square or barrel shaped. Awkward looking, right?

The less wealthy obviously tried to follow fashion, but were forced not to. Instead of extravagance, they were required to wear only one color, tops two, to show that they were not as rich as others. To me, Lucio would be in the process of switching from poor clothing to wealthier clothing. Traveling a lot, I assume that he wouldn't get to fancy with clothes. But now that he's aiming to settle down in Venice, and fashion is a big thing, he would have to adjust to dressing better and wearing his money on his sleeves. And in order to impress Filippa, he would definitely have to look like he can care for her.

The setting of the stage wouldn't be really fancy. Most of the scenes will probably take place within the castle or out by the sea. There would just have to be enough things to differentiate between a wealthier area than the sea.

The Duke of Venice Continued...

Well Sarah made a comment stating that maybe the play should be more of a tragedy...
So I was thinking...
In ACT V, Francesco has an assassination attempt made on his life, but instead of him getting hurt, Filippa, knowing about the attempt, saves Francesco and dies doing so.
And from that, Francesco realizes he needs to change and becomes a better ruler.
I don't really want everyone to die at the end, but maybe having Filippa die will be more intense and more heart-wrenching than just having Francesco be badly injured.

The Duke of Venice

This is the treatment to Sarah's Characters.

ACT I.
The characters are introduced, except Lucio. The Duke of Venice talks to his kids explaining how his illness has turned for the worst, and how Francesco has to prepare for his death. Filippa is upset because she thinks she should rule instead of her father.
ACT II.
Lucio is introduced. He just arrived in Venice. He meets Francesco and tells him about his travels. Filppa wishes she could help her father, but he avoids her. She also tends to defy her father, in the sense she doesn't follow her "womanly duties."
ACT III.
The Duke dies. Francesco takes his place. Disputes occur between him and his sister over ruling. Lucio visits Francesco often, telling him about the world and how he should go travel. Francesco longs even more to go explore the world. Because of his inner turmoil between staying and going, his ways of ruling suffer, trying to compensate for not leaving.
ACT IV.
Problems arise amongst the Venice council and Francesco. They disagree with the way he has been ruling. They secretly come to the conclusion that they should assassinate him, and replace him with their own person. They decide to include Filippa and offer her the dukedom, stating they'll change the law. Filippa has inner debates between replacing Francesco, because she feels she can rule better, but at the same time, doesn't want to betray her father's wishes of letting her brother rule. Lucio still tends to be over more and influence Francesco.
ACT V.
The assassination attempt is made on Francesco's life, and yet he escapes badly injured, but not dead. He realizes, as he stays in bed recovering, that he needs to be better. He dismisses Lucio to not visit anymore and realizes maybe he should listen to Filippa and take her advice. He and Filippa are on better terms and become closer than ever.

So, that's what I got. Any thoughts?