4.02.2014

Today's agenda was to do a stagger through, the first run through with all of the scenes performed in the order they will be in the final performance. This was really the first time we would see each others scenes, which made this lesson especially exciting. Not only was it nice to get some kind of structure and idea what the play will look like in the final performances, it was also an opportunity to look at the different choices others have done with the same character and learn from them in our own characterization. Characterization has been a bit of an theme for all of us with this project, since many, including me, have struggled with it. So, we were given specific questions to answer, using examples, not only from our own scenes, but also from other peoples scenes.

Videos of the scenes I am in:
1st scene
2nd scene
3rd scene

Are the characters clear?
   Getting to see all of the scenes, I feel that pretty much everyone is on the right track, but there is a lot of work still to be done. The problem with a lot of the scenes is, that the characters are not portrayed strong enough. I felt that in the first scene, with Izzy as Mrs. Farley trying to do her late fathers job by preaching at the bar, there was a lot she could have done with her character. I wasn't entirely sure what she wanted to get out of this scene, so her intentions and character portrayal could be stronger. This could also help the reactions from the men be clearer and more understandable. I feel that this might be because they might not exactly know, what their character's intentions are, which is a problem for me as well in some of my scene. In my first scene as Nell, I need to be enjoying the stage more, since now I have only shown her uncertainty, when she should be excited about being on stage. Also, when I am doing Nell's monologue, of her telling how she felt like on the stage, I should be reliving the moment more, rather than just telling what happened. In other scenes of mine, I felt characterization for Nell was stronger, especially in my last scene. I have managed to show the sick state of Nell, but still show that the young and lively Nell is still somewhere inside that dying body.

Are objectives clear?
  I think I have shown Nell's objectives in the first scene quite well, since they are very clear. She wants to become an actress at the playhouse and is almost desperate save herself once she doesn't know what to do when she is left alone on the stage. True to her nature, she doesn't let her fears win her over, but starts to dance. Obviously, I need to still work on the dance and considering her objective at this point, I need to be enjoying the stage more, since that would fit Nell and her objectives better. Also, when Nell finally comes off-stage, her objective being convincing the others that she is still worthy to be a part of the playhouse, I need to make it seem like Nell is reliving the moment on stage, when she has her monologue.
   In my second scene I feel that my objectives are clear, but I need to present them stronger and with more determination. When Nell is trying to get some jokes from Otway, I need to be more manipulative. When the actresses are practicing their play, I need to do the scene as Nell would play it. During the abortion I need to make my reactions sharper and stronger, to make it seem as naturalistic as possible. This scene is now really just getting everything fine-tuned and run trough it often enough to make it run smoothly.
  My last scene is, in my opinion, the strongest one for my objectives. Nell is there to say goodbyes, but because she is sick, it is harder for her than she might have imagined. The nostalgia of the moment gets her overwhelmed, which is why she has to let herself rest on the floor, gripping on Monimia's dress, trying to find some comfort from it.

Is the story within the scene clear?
   Yes and no. There are parts in our scenes that show the story very clearly, for example I feel that the scene where Nell comes to the playhouse pretending to have gone to talk to Mr. Betterton and being assigned a line. The whole scene from start to end with Mrs.Marshall being attacked was very clear with the story, being able to show the different sides of the lives of the actresses during that era. This doesn't mean, the scene is without any faults, but we have been able to tell the story strongly. I have a lot of work I need to do with Nell's character, and I feel the other character could be more accusing and angry towards Nell, when she finally comes off-stage.
   In my second scene, the scene with the abortion at the end of it, there is a part where the story isn't very clear. The section where Mrs. Betterton and Doll are having a conversation about Mrs. Betterton's lost ring, seems very vague to me, and I have to say, I personally do not get the point of the scene. It seems sort of out of place compared to all the other parts of that scene. What I think we need to do, is to discuss this scene with the whole group and try to figure out, what is the meaning and objective of this scene. Also, just at the start of this scene, where Otway is reading his play, I would like to get his story more clearer. I know that the male characters don't have such a big part in the play, but it would be nice to see the fact that Otay is a struggling writer and hasn't eaten in days. Yunusa could so this by showing a bit more of the mind struggle he goes trough when deciding weather to eat the biscuit or keep his work of art untouched.
    One of the other groups scene's, that I think have a clear story within them, is the second scene, with Chloe, Greta, Izzy and Jenny in it. I felt that the scene was extremely easy to follow and each character was clearly represented. Jenny performance as Mrs. Marshall was very well done and her anger towards the man who fooled her into bed was very well performed. With this scene, with learning lines, they should still work on the blocking, since I feel now they are not really doing much or using the stage to their advantage.