EyeOfArgonReading

Competitive Reading

The Eye of Argon is arguably the worst fantasy story ever written. 1 2

We attempt a competitive reading as described here: http://public.logica.com/stepneys/sf/argnrule.htm

Why It's a Good No Shame Piece

There's a concept I want to explore in No Shame, that was prompted by Heather's "bowling for zucchini" piece. I like the idea of a piece that has internal logic to it, but it doesn't tell the audience outright what all the rules are. The audience has to pay attention, twig to what's going on, and then reap the reward of 1) watching interesting theater, and; 2) knowing they figured it out all by themselves. I think art has been hindered by a lot of 'incompetent art' -- an artist comes up with something hard to understand, and claims it's very important, but the piece has no content for people to get to -- the piece invites analysis, but does not reward it.

To that end, I want the audience unaware of what the point of the skit is going into it. We don't explain the rules. This creates interest and saves time.

We set the stage. Three people in three chairs. Three darkroom timers, each set to two minutes. One copy of The Eye of Argon. A small table with a prize on it (this would function like the single glass of water in the 'red pill' scene from ''The Matrix'' -- the audience stares at it, thinking, "What the heck is that doing there? What will they use it for?").

The rules, revamped for the show:

• Start each timer at 2 minutes
• Person A starts reading aloud.
• If anyone (including/especially audience members) laughs, stop the clock and pass the manuscript.
• If one minute elapses, stop the clock and pass the manuscript.
• Go through this for two rounds.
• Whoever has the lowest time at the end is awarded the prize.

Footnotes

1 There is also a local copy.

2 One of the funniest on-line MSTings ever is Adam Cadre's take on The Eye of Argon -- here are parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.