Trifles Prompt Response

I've sat here for a while trying to contemplate what a production of Trifles would look like with a minimalistic set, costume, and prop design,  and I've come to the conclusion that it would lose a lot of the detail that's given to us in the play.

I realize that the dialogue is extremely detailed in describing things such as the frozen bread on the counter, the jars of jam, and the broken bird cage, but I just don't think description is enough for the audience. If I were to attend a production of this play with the minimalistic set up, I don't think I would be satisfied. I can honestly say that I'd be too busy trying to create the world in my head then paying attention to it.

In this story, the women are snooping around and finding all these little details about the house that the men didn't notice. Granted, the play is told from the perspective of the women, but I almost feel like we should treat the audience as one of the men, assuming that they won't notice or understand the details described to them. Seeing things like the quilting basket with the small box coffin and the destroyed bird cage would give the audience a chance to look more at the bigger picture of the play, as well attempt to find other details in the room that could pertain to Minnie Wright's arrest.

To me, an audience can be more engaged when they can see the items on stage already and try to piece them together for the story instead of having to imagine what the world of the play would look like and then try piecing the clues together. For lack of better words, it makes it more interesting and enjoyable.

In conclusion, no, I don't think the minimalistic set would work. Losing the physicality of a naturalistic set in a play this intrinsically detailed takes away a lot of meat of the play, even with the detailed dialogue.