Help needed building Plasma Speaker

[Abdul Ahad]

I am gking to make a plasma speaker for my science fair.Following are two schematics that I have found.Tell me which one is easier to make as I have very little experience.I'm a 12th grade student.
Yes Yes I know its a high voltage project.
In the first schematic how do I calculate RC1 and what if dont use it.What will I have to do near the UF diode and 800 ohm resistor.

 

[kellys_eye]

RC1 would be chosen to bring the LC circuit formed by the transformer primary and capacitor to resonance and the frequency of output from the 555 should be made to match for maximum efficiency.

 

[Abdul Ahad]

@kellys_eye so should start building speaker based on scheme 1.It looks much easier to me.What are your thoughts about it.
Thanks for the clarification about RC1 ☺

 

[kellys_eye]

To illustrate/demonstrate the basic principles circuit 1 is adequate but don't expect 'miracles' from it i.e. hi fidelity etc.

 

[Abdul Ahad]

@kellys_eye what about this design.Can i trust it to run for at least 2 hours (not continously).I will use a large heat sink with thermal paste and a fan along with water in metal container near it ☺