The Endless QUARREL of Light and Dark is an interactive, gamified entertainment offering based on the game of chess that explores duality and contrast in a fully realized story of two kingdoms divided into Light and Dark.
Through this narrative of hyper-dichotomy, we engage participants in an immersive experience that asks them to choose sides, exploring our concepts of conflict and “the other”, and ultimately highlights the profound sameness of us all regardless of our religious, political and cultural beliefs.
Participants are first confronted with two mysterious doorways that leads them into the space proselytizing the way of the dark or light and indoctrinating them with ritual decor, visual and audio content with the philosophy of their chosen path.
Here we imagine Light and Dark not as good or bad, but as two sides of the same coin, the light representing joyous celebration and the dark representing serious meditation as equal but opposite access to transformation and enlightenment.
THE BACKSTORY
Once there existed a great civilization powered by the alchemy between the worshippers of the Light, who mined gold deep in the golden forest caves and the worshippers of the Dark, who extracted mercury from the blackened volcanic mountains creating unlimited free energy.
Together they achieved wondrous things, traveling the stars and living peacefully together in harmony. But eventually power corrupted and a wedge of hatred was driven between the two sides that grew until the entire civilization crumbled amidst a bloody medieval war.
But now, after centuries trapped in this endless war, a forbidden love has emerged that could destroy everything or save them all..
THE SHOW
Quarrel is a musical infused, life-size, live chess game with 16 stilt walking performers as the major pieces and audience members as the pawns, played on a 24x24 ft board with real players playing the game and a through-line narrative that adapts with the gameplay.
"It would come to pass that, after generations of endless war, the King and Queen of Light and the King and Queen of dark would each bear a son who would eventually come to meet and against all odds, a kinship would blossom between them.
From centuries of hate, a love is born. But this love may be short lived, for the reigning kings have slain each other on the battlefield this day leaving their heirs to take up the mantle and continue the fight.
Now, these tragic lovers must choose to face each other in battle or defy the will of their people and try to find a way to love.
Could this be the beginning of a peaceful resolution or merely a tragic loss in The Endless Quarrel of Light and Dark?"
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THE FORMAT
QUARREL is formatted like a stage variety show with a Host facilitating the sequence of events.
Starting with a quick intro, the 2 players who will play the game (ideally having been chosen by an earlier chess tournament) are introduced and the pawns are picked from the audience, becoming a central and comical point of immersion for the show
From there, the show begins with a big opening number with the full cast, leading into the start of the game.
Throughout the game, a number of smaller acts are presented based on game play, mostly when a piece is taken. At the end of the game, there is a big finale number adjusted based on which side wins.
NOTABLE PLOTPOINTS
The primary narrative involves the two newly crowned princes, who are in love but must go to battle for their warring kingdoms. A classic Romeo and Romeo Storyline.
Secondary plot lines include the queen mothers and their journey from seething rage and grief at their husbands begin slain, to realizing the error of their ways when one of their son dies (spoilers, one of the kings dies at the end!). They are also given some comic relief in their passive aggressive conflict with each other.
Additional plot line examples:
The bishops (envisioned here as high priestesses) who control the Rooks through magic and upon a rook being taken, it is released from the stone, emerging as a scantily clad performer in a burlesque-style reveal giving a bit of sexiness to the show.
The pawns, who provide comic relief with the chaos of including audience members in the show being used to lighten the mood in various ways.
QUARREL takes place on a 24x24" chessboard in the center of the space, with a smaller stage centered at the back with a central fabricated design highlighting the Light and Dark. In the full vision the stage is flanked by two "hands of fate" art installations representing the dark and light upon which the players of the game stand to call out their movies. depending on venue, the floors are white and black, and full length curtains of light and dark drape from the ceiling down the sides. Two sets of bleachers, one for each side, give the space a gladiator colosseum feel where people can witness the spectacle of the show.
Depending on the venue, Quarrel is ideally accessed through two mysterious doors labeled “ The Light” and “The Dark”. This leads them down one of two passageways (or through rooms) where they are indoctrinated in their chosen path with decor, audio/performances that proselytize the way of the dark or light.
Here we imagine Light and dark not as good or bad, but as two sides of the same coin, the light representing joyous celebration and the dark representing serious meditation as equal but opposite access to transformation and enlightenment.
Projected blueprint (adaptable to various venues)
THE MUSIC
Composed by Cassidy Haley and featuring an ensemble cast of talented NYC performers, the music reflects the earnestness of our heroes as they grapple with the enemies without and within on their bloodstained journey of conquest and triumph.
CAST (subject to change)
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THE COSTUMES
Designed by Cassidy Haley and currently in production, the Quarrel costumes feature EVA foam headpieces and custom robes and armor fitting a futuristic medieval theme based on the Pieces of Chess. The King and Queen, Knights, Bishops and Rooks.
