This week we managed to run through the entire play, using our scripts. I find running through the script continuously helps me learn lines. I begin to remember my queues for when to say my line. It also helps me understand the story and allow me to develop and workshop different tones and emotions to portray.
When looking at the first few pages of the script where Lilly and William begin the play, we are introduced to Williams obsessive behaviour. Within these first few pages all the characters are introduced to the play. We were told that first impressions are crucial to the play as it allows the audience to see how the characters develop. When I first read through the first scene, when work shopping the play I thought Lily might be an eager character, possibly seen as nerdy. I tried this style when performing the first scene. After discussing with the group about characters I decided Lily is more of a refined character with a confidently subtle persona. Within the first page of the play, Lily and William meet, and we can see from the start that William is infatuated with Lily. William asks her questions like "where do you live?" and "what house number". Instead of taking on an over-friendly co-operative personality, I decided to perform this scene as if Lily were slightly annoyed and cautious of William. I kept the responses blunt, with minimal tone or eye contact. This is a stereotypical outline of the average person attempting to end conversation. I then work shopped this idea and found it worked far better.
Once we walked through the first few pages, Lily is introduced to all the other characters. Throughout these pages Lily doesn't say much other than introducing herself. The script doesn't include a lot of stage directions so it is mainly down to us a group to decided on tactical movements. I noticed that when performing this play we spend a lot of time sitting down. I decided that when other characters are talking I would make an effort to move around the stage, whether it be moving to another seat or moving to get a book off the book case. This stops the play from being to central and boring. I found that moving even the slightest bit, having conversations standing can make a difference to the play.
What I hope to do is draw a set design and work shop a lot of ideas between the group.
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