Timeless, Placeless Setting

One of the many theatrical or dramatic techniques Matt Cameron uses in 'Ruby Moon' is the construction of a timeless and placeless setting for the action of the play. Cameron gives specific directions regarding setting at the beginning of the play.

The timeless and placeless setting is created by using nondescript furniture and props, ones that could be found in any suburban house any where in the western world. There is an absence of posters and pictures, there is no super technology, such as plasma screens or computers, because these would date the production.

The furniture that is present is old and presumaby dust covered to 'evoke...memory'. This is important as it reinforces the issues of grief, which is dealt with in the play. The issues of the past haunting the future.

By constructing a timeless, placeless setting the playwright engages the audience fully, making them see the relevance of the issues being portrayed on stage. The audience would watch the play and think of all the past and present missing children stories they remember, and use these memories to inform their viewing of the play.