As part of the rehearsal process, The Brothers Size became “The Sisters Size,” just for a day. Robert (the director) asked three of the actresses from our nine-player ensemble to assume roles of the male actors. Although some of them had not read the play, it was amazing to see the actresses quickly discern who their characters were. It was intriguing to watch these ladies, who had not seen the men in action, make some of the same artistic choices the actors had made in rehearsal. Tarell has often said that the text will guide, it does.

One of the most interesting observations of having women read a play about men is that it somehow changes the play. Naturally among women, there seems to be an acceptable intimacy. Every since I can remember the girls have always gone to the bathroom in groups, the guys—not so much. Straight women often help groom other straight women, but with men it’s different. There seems to be imaginary circles of separation that prevent men from physically forming the same bonds as women. Why does it seem that men can’t be among themselves with the same familiarity that women share among women? This very subject came up in rehearsal and others of the room spoke of how boys in foreign nations hold hands with other boys as demonstrating their friendship in open streets. Why is it so taboo for men to be openly affectionate with each other, not specifically among gay lovers, but among heterosexual friends as well? It’s amazing how the moment guys stand a little too close (and aren’t playing a sport), an alarm resounds signaling their sexuality. Among groups of women closely occupying the same space, thinking seems to be a bit more liberal.

The Brothers Size, however, is not about women, it’s about men, and that makes a difference, even in staging. Simply place two men an inch too close and the mind quickly questions their sexuality. I wonder why…

Posted by Anthony Sanford, Jr., Directing/Producing Intern at McCarter Theatre.

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