Charles Mee's Wintertime

Before the action even begins, the audience is aware of the setting: a cozy cabin furnished with large furniture, fuzzy blankets, and rugs. Glasses of champagne hint that romance is in the air. Outside the cabin is a forest of white winter trees, which gives the cabin the appearance of being far from life’s troubles. The lights are low, which adds warmth, despite the light snow falling against a black sky. At this point in the show, the design gives off a calm, placid feeling of comfort, which is enhanced by the soft background music. It perfectly creates the situation for Jonathan to propose to Ariel, and the audience has no trouble getting lost in the moment of love and happiness.

However, once Jonathan’s parents and their respective lovers arrive, the lights flared up, and the mood changes dramatically. As jealousy and anger replace the characters’ r

The set design is somewhat different in the second act, partially because it is less complicated. The first scene, Maria’s “funeral”, consists of a row of chairs and a long table. This shows the emptiness and desolation the characters experience when they think Maria is dead. The chairs look cold and hard, and there is nothing onstage to suggest comfort. In a way, the barren stage allows the audience to focus on the characters and what they have to say, rather than being distracted by unnecessary furnishings. This scene concentrates heavily on how the characters feel and where they stand with each other, and doesn’t need many set pieces.

The costumes used in Wintertime both define roles and gives clues as to the setting. In the beginning of the play, most of the characters are seen in sweaters, turtlenecks, and other attire worn in January. Since the costumes were unique to each person, the characters’ were able to be more easily defined. In the funeral scene, everyone is wearing black, conservative dresses and suits. Before any of the characters speak a word, their clothing indicates where they are, and the dark shadow cast over them since Maria’s “death”. In any case, the clothing styles show that the action takes place in the present, or within the last few years.

One central character whose costume clearly communicates information is Francois. He first appears onstage donning a red silk robe, with bare feet. While every character but him and Maria are fully dressed, it is

Some topics in this essay:
Mee’s Wintertime, Jonathan Ariel, Year’s Eve, set design, Wharf Theatre,