Rehearsal 16-19

Finding the beginning


13/3/11 to 17/3/11


this week we were really focused on getting a beginning for the piece i think we are all (possibly foolishly) hoping that when we have the beginning the rest will just fall into place. That will not happen but still it is encouraging to think that way. from what kevin suggested we need to work on the way we used the chairs. we are thinking possibly all be in a line sitting and greeting the audience as they come in. Sort of resembling what really happens at the end of a funeral when the close family thank the guests for coming.

One questing we need to address is who are we in the space... why are we eight random people at Chaplin's funeral? we we thought and researched and i think we are going to try and all be one of his eight children he had to his last wife and love of his life Una.

I must admit i am slightly worried about this as it will be difficult not to 'act' in the traditional sense. but maby done a certain way this would not be a bad thing. we need to look at how we use the buffet table, i think even with this we still may need some kind of off stage area. but we will see.

I am very surprised at how well we are working together, i can honestly say there is no problems. we always have our out side eye. and if we suggest an idea we always try it, to try to see if it will work. we are lucky in that we all understand not to be precious about or ideas.

we also have been looking at a set structure for the piece. we are thinking it will have two world's or realms... the wake and the silent movie, our idea is that at first the two zones are very separate then as the piece develops the performers get lost and the two worlds join. we want the piece to start off calm and then gradually get more frantic... as frantic is something we all enjoy, (myself, Richard and Gary) more than the rest but I'm sure we will successfully compromise.

We also like the idea of the silent movie actor finding his voice, as a metaphor for Chaplin (the man) being lost to the 'tramp' character.