The Psychological Impact of Fear and Paranoia in "Ruby Moon"

Ruby Moon, a contemporary Australian drama written by Matt Cameron in 2003, combines presentational non-realistic elements with the development of characters. The play adopts the style of a psychodrama, revealing the significant flaws in Ray and Sylvie's state of mind as the story progresses, making these flaws increasingly apparent to the audience. Furthermore, it incorporates absurdist elements, portraying a realistic lifestyle in an exaggerated or unrealistic (presentational) manner.

As the director and dramaturge for this production, I have chosen an excerpt from scene three that includes the characters Sid and Sylvie.

This excerpt was selected because it effectively portrays the three main themes of the play and also aligns with the festival's emphasis on Australian society. One of these themes is the atmosphere of fear and suspicion prevalent in modern times, which can create division, suspicion, doubt, and paranoia within communities and neighborhoods.

The concept is illustrated in the scene where Sid questions Sylvie about the possibility of causing harm, and Sylvie inquires why he would think so.

Get quality help now

WriterBelle

Verified writer

Proficient in: Human Nature

4.7 (657)

“ Really polite, and a great writer! Task done as described and better, responded to all my questions promptly too! ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Sid counters, stating that her presence must be for no other reason. Cameron portrays a deep-rooted lack of trust between these neighbors and remarks on the extreme level of paranoia they must have experienced to reach this point.

In today's modern Australian society, there is a heightened awareness towards potential dangers that may exist in every corner. The elderly population, in particular, tend to perceive the world to be significantly more hazardous compared to their generation of ten, twenty, or even fifty years ago.

However, the only way we are informed about these unsettling worst-case situations is through the media. The continuous advancement of media and technology ensures that this flow of information will never cease. As we progress into the future, an increasing amount of information is being disclosed to the public.

When we learn about any terrifying incident that occurred recently in the precarious postmodern society we inhabit, we must remember that perhaps it is not the world and its communities that have transformed, but rather the accessible resources that have made our generation slightly more conscious and less ignorant of the potential perils the world may present. This passage also exhibits the theme of innocence being corrupted, as evident in Sid's words to Sylvie: "Doors are locked, windows shut tight. Curtains drawn on this once friendly picture book neighborhood."

The importance of this statement lies in its connection to the unease and fear that permeate the neighborhood following Ruby's disappearance. It serves as a representation of the gradual loss of innocence throughout the play. Initially, we sympathize with Ray and Sylvie upon learning that they have lost their daughter – an unimaginably horrific ordeal for any family.

The notion also applies to contemporary Australian society, specifically addressing how communities respond to similar circumstances like the ones Ray and Sylvie experience. It also explores how individuals behave and cope with subsequent distress and paranoia. As the play develops, it becomes evident that the supposed neighborhood in which these characters reside is actually a disturbing game. The audience is led to believe that either a precious ruby was stolen from them, or this is merely a twisted charade they cannot move on from.

Or perhaps there was never truly a Ruby, and instead, these two opposing main characters are simply mentally unstable individuals engaged in a twisted form of sexual foreplay. Regardless, as the play reaches its conclusion, any remnants of the initial purity have been mercilessly drained away, leaving behind only a perplexing pile of uncertainty for the audience to ponder. Additionally, the concept of sorrow and absence is adeptly showcased in this excerpt, further solidifying my decision to explore this specific scene as a dramaturge.

Sylvie questions Sid about Ruby's recent visits to his house and he responds, "I leave the door open for her, but she never visits anymore." This line serves a simple purpose, conveying that Ruby is truly gone and highlighting the impact it has had on her family and friends, as previously claimed by Sid. In my opinion, this is the central theme of the play, as it resonates with the Australian audience.

Although the audience may lack the ability to understand the characters' experience of losing a child, they can all relate to the pain of losing a loved one and the immense impact it has on friends and families. This is the message Cameron wanted to convey about Australian society as well as society on a global scale through this play. The play explores the deep emotional and physical trauma that such events can cause, as Cameron explains, "I aimed to delve deeper into the fear of losing a child and examine the unease, anxiety, doubt, loss, and repressed terror that accompanies it."

Here, Cameron discusses the mindset and paranoia that can affect individuals following events like these. He explores how seemingly ordinary people can develop anxiety and become overly suspicious and fearful of even trivial things, ultimately leading to an unbalanced state of mind. This concept is interconnected with the play's gothic and surrealistic style, which prompts the audience to reflect on their own lives and empathize with the characters on stage. As the director, I have made specific decisions regarding the actors' performances and their positions on stage to intensify the conflict within this particular scene.

In the beginning of the scene, Sylvie approaches the front door of Sid’s house and prepares to knock. However, as she reaches the door, it creaks open, adding tension and suspense. This unexpected occurrence raises doubts in the audience's mind about a possible conflict that may have led to the door being left unlocked. Soon after, Sid calls out "Is that you?" with a hopeful tone, as he anticipates his friend Ruby's return. However, when Sylvie enters and reveals her identity, Sid's disappointed expression and hunched posture clearly reflect his feelings.

The release of tension to the audience suggests that the person Sid was expecting/hoping for is not present. This raises the question of who he thought it would be and where they are. Why aren't they here? Shortly after this, Sylvie starts asking him numerous questions. Sid, being the humorous clown, will mimic her exact tone as he repeats what she says. "Who said that?"..."Who said that?"..."Please don't copy me"..."please don't copy me." This creates conflict as Sylvie becomes increasingly annoyed. Eventually, she yells out in frustration, "Sid Stop it!"

"It is here when I will get Sid to surprisingly jump onto the table in front of Sylvie that, up until now, had been the only thing separating them and say, 'Are you going to hurt me?' in a confronting but yet inquisitive manner. This, I hope, will be the climax of conflict in the scene as Sid continues to egg Sylvie on. However, what I'd like to achieve is an increasing pace of cues and emotion in voice as the conversation unfolds until it reaches a standstill of quietness after Sid swiftly jumps onto the table and, in almost silence, whispers (while still projecting) his line of intimidation."

Later in the scene, Sylvie also notices the blood stains on Sid's shirt and inquires, "Whose blood is that?" The way she poses this question is meant to convey her suspicion that it could be Ruby's blood. This can be achieved through a variety of non-verbal cues such as a doubtful or judgmental facial expression, prolonged staring at the shirt, or accompanying hand gestures that express her emotional state. By doing so, Sylvie inadvertently creates tension between herself and Sid, as her demeanor almost resembles that of an interrogation.

After enduring countless hits, Sid finally erupts in frustration, exclaiming, "I didn't do anything, they just kept hitting!" This significant moment showcases Sid's newfound determination to defend himself against Sylvie and everyone else. This intense interaction escalates the conflict in the scene, allowing the audience to tangibly sense the tension between these two characters on stage. Although viewers may not personally identify with the specific issues presented, conflict is a universally relatable experience in modern Australian society.

The main point of the text is to emphasize that dealing with conflict is more important than dwelling on the past. Additionally, the set design and production aspects of the play are crucial in conveying the director's message. The director's decision to stay true to the playwright's original intentions regarding the set design is believed to have a strong impact on the audience.

"The envisioned set will showcase a timeless, placeless world furnished with an armchair, standing lamp, rocking horse, gramophone, telephone, answering machine, and coat stand. This will help create a universally appealing set, suggesting to the audience that it could be located anywhere and possibly from different eras in Australian society. The set will be deliberately anachronistic, featuring furniture ornaments from different time periods."

In order to communicate the horrifying experience that has affected both individuals and Australian society, I have created a setting that is surrealistic and explores the subconscious memories of Sylvie and Ray. My intention is for the audience to confront these past events and consider their significance, ultimately gaining a deeper understanding of the story's message.

The text emphasizes the haunting image of "bare branches of blackened trees pointing like gnarled fingers through a vivid night sky." The use of a simile and personification creates a sinister and nightmarish atmosphere that effectively establishes the mood for the entire play. The goal is to achieve this same imagery in the set design. The play will be divided into its original structure, starting with a prologue, followed by ten short scenes, and concluding with an epilogue. This division will also make the play episodic, with each scene being self-contained and containing its own complication and varying levels of tension.

The play's structure allows for seamless transitions and avoids altering the set. This strategic choice suggests to the audience that Ray and Sylvie's visits to their neighbors may actually be staged within their own home. This additional insight further emphasizes the escalating levels of their insanity. The acting style employed in the play combines presentational actions and representational speech, which effectively conveys the intended meaning and twist to the audience.

These two main characters are merely "imitating strangers," causing an absurdist and ambiguous atmosphere that leaves the audience unsure and uncomfortable. The portrayal of the neighbors is seen through the distorted perspective of Sylvie and Ray, adding surrealistic elements. Thus, the audience views the neighbors with suspicion, confusion, fear, and as exaggerated manifestations of the main characters' distorted paranoia.

In accordance with Cameron's initial intentions, I will employ archetypal characters representative of various groups within Australian society. As stated in an interview, he aimed to create characters that are universally relatable. The purpose behind this choice is to ensure that regardless of the audience member, they can connect with and be affected by at least one character on stage. Moreover, the play will take place in a typical suburban street, emphasizing its everyday and ordinary nature. This atmosphere is deliberately crafted to convey the idea that such a situation could occur to anyone, including the audience themselves.

It is important for individuals to reconsider their lives, daily routines, and overall approach to certain aspects. Perhaps some individuals are too careless, naive, or excessively trusting. However, the purpose behind all of the decisions I have made is to communicate to the audience that the loss of a child is a tragedy that universally affects people and elicits strong emotions. Your welcome.