There was an old wreck of a chalet right next to the school, off of which the roof had been blown. It was set for demolition before our summer began. We convinced the school to let us have the venerable structure examined for structural integrity, and then we built a modest railing on the second floor. Permission was granted by local authorities (and why would it not have been?) to use it as an outdoor stage. Of course, they thought we were nuts. Of all the stages I've created, and I've been creating them since I was 14, this was my favorite. A Midsummer Night's Dream being rehearsed, and it was to play the Windblown Chalet . The late Nancy Oehmich directed it. I met Nancy in Tel Aviv when we were both working with the Israel National Opera. What a talented mezzo-soprano. She performed Hansel in Ivrit (phonetically) so well, and was so convincing (even doing somersaults across the stage), little kids attending matinee performances flocked to see her backstage, and were stunned when she could only stand there mute, smiling at them.)
Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Aristophanes' The Birds were a great success. The students were just fabulous, and they had a wonderful time. We were all thrilled with the beauty of the set. The Alps as a backdrop? What could be more spectacular? Theatre International had the greatest scenic designer of them all.
Richard oversees the transformation of the storm-damaged Chalet into the Windblown Chalet Theatre. 1984
Lydia and Christoph work on the Windblown Chalet Theatre. Theatre International. 1984
Nancy working with students in rehearsal for The Birds. Theatre International. 1984
Rehearsal. The Birds. Windblown Chalet Theatre. Theatre International. leysin, Switzerland. 1984
Makeup for The Birds by Aristophanes. Students of Theatre International. Leysin Switzerland 1984.
Windblown Chalet Theatre dressed for The Birds by Aristophanes. Theatre International. Leysin, Switzerland. 1984
In makeup for The Birds by Aristophanes. Students of Theatre international. Leysin, Switzerland. 1984
A Midsummer Night's Dream. Windblown Chalet Theatre. Theatre International. Leysin, Switzerland. 1984
The Birds. Theatre International. 1984
Students whose names I do not recall (please let me know) in a dress rehearsal for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Theatre International. Leysin. 1984
Dress rehearsal for A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Windblown Chalet Theatre. Theatre International. Leysin, Switzerland. 1984
The Windblown Chalet Theatre shows us its absolutely spectacular backdrop. Theatre International. Leysin, Switzerland. 1984
A Midsummer Night's Dream. Windblown Chalet Theatre. Theatre International. Leysin Switzerland. 1984
Rehearsals for The Birds. Theatre International. Leysin, Switzerland. 1984