Trifles

I think that by loosing the costumes and set pieces that the audience would then not be privy to information that is given in the stage directions.  For example the attorney is meant to be much younger than the two women and this distinction can be a major influence on character development and the audience’s understanding of the characters and their motives.  Also as far as ‘focusing on the words’ certain moments in the play would probably seem very awkward without props such as the moment when the attorney tries to wipe his hands with the dirty towel or when the women are referencing the bread.  As for using a black white sheet for the quilt I believe that it would destroy the purpose of what the significance of the sewing quality means to the two women examining it.  While the words of the play are very important and should be taken in carefully by the actors and audience I believe that by eradicating such things as costumes and set pieces that much of the subtly of the scenery as seen by the women that is overlooked by the men would also be lost to the audience.