ok I've done an initial read through... very curious to hear your extended thoughts now that I have enough context to parse them.
filigree was my favorite but I think that was because I started reading it like I would be performing as them. muscle memory w/ the highlighted lines I suppose. when I do through again I should read as the other two...
are their other stories in the same universe? you could definitely pick up a lot of the world building just through the play itself but I could also see someone writing some short stories beforehand to flesh things out.
What was the alternate ending you wrote? did you have any hands in creating the play, or did you guys just perform in it? how did you do the coughing up blood on stage (I'm not that familiar with stage blood but it sounds like a lot of blood to cough up especially if you have to hold it in your mouth. did the millet actor sneak bite a pouch they had somewhere else on their person? or did you summon the red stain some other way)?
anyway jury's out on Allen and millet but filligree should 100% join the zomburger crew. they'd blossom like a beautiful flower if they got that kind of workplace.
My extended thoughts... There are so many aspects to my love of this play. Considering the script alone, it all comes from the characters. They are such beautiful, complex, interesting, hilarious, well written characters. The way they play off of each other, foil each other, grow with each other.... Particularly important to me are Filigree's relationships with the other two. This is due in part to the fact that I was Filigree and I had to build and live these relationships (as well as my own personal relationships to the actors and how those grew) but Filigree's capacity for love is such a beautiful and fascinating thing. The way their relationship with Corcoran bleeds through every fucking line, every small movement and physical touch. It's so captivating. This is a man who has lost everything and a child who has never had anything to begin with. All they have is each other. And they live. They keep their names, they draw and play and tell stories. They teach and learn and love. Filigree and Millet are equally as important, however different their situation is. They are beautiful foils for each other— the animal learning to be human, and the human forced to be animal. They are both sheltered from each others worlds, and naive in completely different ways. Watching Filigree go from fight or flight instincts to rubbing his shoulders to make him warm, attempting to imitate Corcoran's comforting hug, doing things that they hope are kind. They quickly build this sibling-like rapport. Clinging desperately to each other as Millet dies. I don't have the personal experience with Millet and Corcoran, but of course they are very important too. They get the most time together. It's fucking horrible when you realize what must be going through Corcoran's mind throughout the entire show. It is worse when you understand that Corcoran is a deeply hurting and closed-off person and a fierce protector. He knew Millet for 36 hours, not even two days. And he was willing to die for him. We discussed with Corcoran's actor weather this was simply suicidal— Corcoran wanting out. He said it was a bit of both, but it mainly stemmed from seeing so much hope within Millet. Corcoran wouldn't leave Filigree. But he sees so, so much in Millet. He wanted a world where they both lived, where Millet got to live and Filigree still had someone to care for them. God Corcoran. Corcoran makes me so so sad. Ugh. Anyways, it's a beautiful play. It's a harrowing, horrible play. It was so, so incredibly fun and rewarding and life changing to put on.
I don't believe there are any other stories in the universe no!! This is the only material. One of my favourite things about the show is how vague it is on details about the world, just enough that you can piece it together yourself. It never really stops to exposition dump, which is something I love in plays. When information is scattered throughout. Little bits like Corcoran being a scientist, Millet's uncle, Corcoran's daughter.. Ugh. I love it. I have my own beforehand-world mapped out in my head, and I know Millet's actor has his own version of Millet's backstory and the world in general!!
The alternate ending I wrote you can find HERE!
It, which I have lovingly titled Millet's Adventures in Wonderland (after Millet's favourite childhood story, of course) is my own work of fanfiction. I and those who worked on my production have no affiliation with the author. We just put it on!! During a gap in rehearsals I got really depressed, and what made me happy was imagining a world where the characters somehow busted out of the labs and got to heal together. So thats what I wrote!!! It's about healing, learning to live again, learning to love.
36 hours later, Millet almost dies, and now he is hiding out with two people he barely knows who love him more than he will ever know. Corcoran deals with being a person again, having agency, having none, being in an unwanted position of power over his loved ones. Filigree has never been outside in their life. They want to go back, they want to hit and kick and scream, and they don't understand why Millet isn't okay. Millet survives stage 2 LD50 With major blood loss and minor brain damage. Remembering is getting hard, and some things freak him out in ways they never had before. He is scared, and alone, and Corcoran isn't telling him whats going on.
There's my little pitch ^_^ this story is very dear to me.
The blood was crazy!! And yeah, there was a LOT of it!!! We tried squibs, but they weren't giving the desired effect. Luckily, in the script, Filigree grabs Millet a cup of water to help with his cough, which we filled with blood. That's how it ended up in Millet's mouth, and then all over his chest and the floor, and sometimes on my arms.
I'm so happy 🥺🥺 the fact that you even read it, letalone are considering multiple reads just makes my heart soar. You are a beautiful person, palanquin. I hope you got something out of this play. Have a Corcorabbit, for your troubles
