This week, I had my last audition class with Eunice-she told me, it is harder for me to live in a more forward emotional space, a more open and vulnerable place...I will keep that last session in mind, mainly because I want to work towards being able to live in that kind of place when I'm performing. It annoyed me that I couldn't reach the pinnacle she pointed out to me, so perhaps I will get a bit closer with my new audition tutor. We have just started working on our stage combat presentations-with scenes to go with the choreography. I really do enjoy stage combat...it's a shame that I probably will never get to employ this knowledge in a professional situation-but it is good knowledge nevertheless. Period Dance is coming along too, we have a script now to accompany our transitions from dance to dance. All vocal classes and Alexander are great. Semi-supine is a life-saver.
In Acting with Aoife this week, we honed in on our character's inner tempo and the garments that they wore in the time period of the play. We also improvised a scene from a day in the life of our characters-I felt that Aoife's response to most of our choices-"consistent, but it needs to be more imaginative"-hit the nail on the head. I chose characteristics to explore in my character that I knew I could play, that I thought are the central tenants of this character-but I know there are many more. It is a good thing, then, that we get to have one more go at it. I didn't even think about the fact that my choices were safe-I need to focus more. In Shakespeare, we worked on making sure every one of our scenes were translated into "modern speech" just to get everyone on the same page. It really helped me get closer to Ophelia's mindset. We are to perform scenes from Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet.
Finally, as a treat, we were taken to the Barbican to see the head of LDA, Kathy Pogson, perform in Sophocles' Antigone (a new version) directed by Ivo van Hove and starring Juliette Binoche in the title role. Yes, I was excited for Juliette, but scads more for Kathy. We all adore her. Aoife even praised her in acting class one day. We were seated on the third balcony-but she reached us. She was incredible, of course-on her action for every line. Even when she wasn't speaking, she was engaged. And when she spoke, her voice was full and rounded-her body obeyed her faultlessly because her gestures and movements all seemed necessary. I envied her effortlessness. But I know it is the result of-among other elements-careful technique. Antigone screamed through most of the play and was breathy for the rest of it-I think she is an excellent film actor-but-and Kathy said something about this that spoke to me, "she equates screaming with raw emotion." And, yes, while that is part of it, you need to "perform in a way that makes the audience want to tune in." Nobody wants to listen to a screaming baby. She had good moments, though. Chronologically, the play confused me. I thought some scenes were out of place-there were a lot of ideas presented-through the set, the projections, some sequences at the end, as always-that I still need to figure out. But overall, I enjoyed it-despite the fact that it moved rather slowly for me.
No pictures from this week, so I will leave behind this rehearsal pic of the Goddess in rehearsal in her Prada. You are welcome.
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| she makes confusion look good! |
cheers,
M.A.
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