--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The play is really a kind of nightmare…" description: "\"The play is really a kind of nightmare. It ought to flow rapidly and effortlessly from one moment to another. In London, we had difficulty with the set..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/arthur-miller-947_benefits_the-play-is-really-a-kind-of-nightmare-i_1919219.png" --- # The play is really a kind of nightmare. It ought to flow… ![“The play is really a kind of nightmare. It ought to flow rapidly and effortlessly from one moment to another. In London, we had difficulty with the set, which required too much effort to move around. Having gotten the benefit of seeing it done once, I wanted to work on the script, to make it…” quote by Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/arthur-miller-947_benefits_the-play-is-really-a-kind-of-nightmare-i_1919219.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/arthur-miller-947_benefits_the-play-is-really-a-kind-of-nightmare-i_1919219.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b1/arthur-miller-947_benefits_the-play-is-really-a-kind-of-nightmare-i_1919219.png) > “The play is really a kind of nightmare. It ought to flow rapidly and effortlessly from one moment to another. In London, we had difficulty with the set, which required too much effort to move around. Having gotten the benefit of seeing it done once, I wanted to work on the script, to make it sharper and more pointed.” [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The production felt chaotic, lacking smooth transitions, and set changes were cumbersome, prompting a desire to tighten the script. **In simple terms:** The play felt chaotic and clunky, needing smoother flow. Key Takeaway Refine the script for clearer, faster pacing. Themes theatre production craft revision effort Mood frustrated determined reflective Type analytical practical When to use this quote - rehearsal planning - set design - script editing - director‑actor collaboration Key Concepts dramatic structure stage logistics creative process Questions to Reflect On - How can you streamline stage transitions? - What script changes improve pacing? A Different Perspective Limited resources can hinder seamless staging despite artistic intent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crafts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crafts/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Flow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flow/) [London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/london/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Nightmare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nightmare/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [“Must have been some kind a nightmare.” “Yeah,” I answer, my usual calm, vacant voice returning. “Can’t wait to wake up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-a-tucker/must-have-been-some-kind-a-nightmare-yeah-i-answer-my-usual-calm/) [K.A. Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-a-tucker/) > [Everything I did that required effort, I opened my mouth. 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