This week I went to see Royal & Derngate's production of Euripides' The Bacchae, which is part of the theatre's Festival of Chaos. It was an innovative production, not least because of the way it made use of the venue–the former print rooms of the Chronicle & Echo, by setting the play in an underground car park. I don't know whether the adaptation was written to suit the venue or whether the venue was chosen to suit the adaptation, but it proved that it's possible to perform drama anywhere.
Of course, the fact that the play deals with such ageless themes helped–freedom vs. control, religion vs. the state, order vs. chaos, female vs. male and the dangers of extremes. One aspect of the play that was very clear, was that too much freedom can be a bad thing. As in life, so in drama. Limitations of venue, funds, cast numbers etc. can force you to be more creative, whether producing an old play or writing a new one. If you're trying to write a play and find the ideas won't come, try giving yourself the challenge of a restriction or two, and it could give your imagination a push down a whole new track.
Next week, I'm due to see the second production in the festival, Federico García Lorca's Blood Wedding–this time back in the theatre. I'm looking for another banquet of food for thought.