Friday, 9 June 2017
Tuesday, 23 May 2017
OUR HOUSE - Off Cast
THE OPENING MARGATE PEIR SCENE:
I showed my characterisation from the second I walked on stage, even in the blackout I walked on following my nose, with a snooty competitive walk and attitude. I showed my showbiz attitude through constantly making overly obvious smiles at the audience and judges, showing my blatant talent for dance. I also added comedy into the role by suggesting charlotte dropped me in frustration when we find out we didn't win. I then walk off in a huff and a strop through losing (in reality I was tops nitty and ended up walking into the sofa) but the idea was there.
BRINGING ON PROPS:
This made the costume changes fast as i had to be in all black to push the boat, and then school wear to bring on the table and take it off. It was stressful but we completed them at the right time and smoothly without hassle or noise back stage.
OFF CAST OUR HOUSE FINALE:
I was previously at the top helping Lois change into the wedding dress. I then had to change into a union jack onesie for the our house reprise and get lois' tie and uniform ready to help her change on stage. We come on for the start of the dance, and then Char and I leave to go and get the uniform, run back on to help them change and then leave with the others. This was vital we got it right as the whole idea is that their in uniform to reflect the beginning of the show and make it clear to the audience, which wouldn't happen if I forgot the tie or skirt.
I showed my characterisation from the second I walked on stage, even in the blackout I walked on following my nose, with a snooty competitive walk and attitude. I showed my showbiz attitude through constantly making overly obvious smiles at the audience and judges, showing my blatant talent for dance. I also added comedy into the role by suggesting charlotte dropped me in frustration when we find out we didn't win. I then walk off in a huff and a strop through losing (in reality I was tops nitty and ended up walking into the sofa) but the idea was there.
BRINGING ON PROPS:
This made the costume changes fast as i had to be in all black to push the boat, and then school wear to bring on the table and take it off. It was stressful but we completed them at the right time and smoothly without hassle or noise back stage.
OFF CAST OUR HOUSE FINALE:
I was previously at the top helping Lois change into the wedding dress. I then had to change into a union jack onesie for the our house reprise and get lois' tie and uniform ready to help her change on stage. We come on for the start of the dance, and then Char and I leave to go and get the uniform, run back on to help them change and then leave with the others. This was vital we got it right as the whole idea is that their in uniform to reflect the beginning of the show and make it clear to the audience, which wouldn't happen if I forgot the tie or skirt.
OUR HOUSE - Pre Show week - Struggles and Strengths
Being a week before the show, here is a list of the things I am nervous for, and what I plan to do to feel ready in show week:
1) NW5 - This is sarah's main song, and I really love it so in my head have a lot to live up to and want to do the catchy melody justice. I am worried particularly about the ad-lib part in the end, whereby I sing over a chorus, I dont want to sound too Mariah Carey, but also still want emotion to be conveyed rather than just sounding flat/monotone. I hope to go over this with Kim and Practice at home to affirm my memory of the countermelody I sing
2) IT MUST BE LOVE - For similar reasons (being a famous well known madness song) I want to do this song well, and am worried about keeping to my melody when Joe sings the harmony and being convincing without being cheesy in the singing. This will take practice with Char and feedback from Kim as to how over the top we go with our facial expressions.
3) WINGS OF A DOVE DANCE - I missed the choreographing of this song, and so have always been unsure as to the structure of choreography- I am hoping to watch the other cast do it so i can learn, or practice with Charlotte before hand.
1) NW5 - This is sarah's main song, and I really love it so in my head have a lot to live up to and want to do the catchy melody justice. I am worried particularly about the ad-lib part in the end, whereby I sing over a chorus, I dont want to sound too Mariah Carey, but also still want emotion to be conveyed rather than just sounding flat/monotone. I hope to go over this with Kim and Practice at home to affirm my memory of the countermelody I sing
2) IT MUST BE LOVE - For similar reasons (being a famous well known madness song) I want to do this song well, and am worried about keeping to my melody when Joe sings the harmony and being convincing without being cheesy in the singing. This will take practice with Char and feedback from Kim as to how over the top we go with our facial expressions.
3) WINGS OF A DOVE DANCE - I missed the choreographing of this song, and so have always been unsure as to the structure of choreography- I am hoping to watch the other cast do it so i can learn, or practice with Charlotte before hand.
OUR HOUSE - Wednesday Evaluation
SCENE 1 - OUR HOUSE DANCE
4:30 - The actual dance for this didn't go so well, as the day before I changed groups vocally, which effected which side of the stage I stood and which movement I did. In terms of the acting, I walked on the stage, not conveying the energy I wanted to go with the enthusiasm the line entailed of 'hey joe'
7:30 - I ran on with energy this time, as if I was excited to see the community, particularly Joe. The energy I had as soon as I entered made an impact on the audience, and meant that generally I was more in character and focused, as i'd got off to a good start.
SCENE 2 - JOE AND SARAH SCENES ACT ONE
4:30 - This scene was fairly slick, despite interrupting each other with cues once or twice. Mine and Charlotte's physical interaction is the only major downfall, for example we didn't help each other up onto the blocks as a teenage couple would, I felt as if our physicality was just us standing stationary- something I wanted to improve on for the next performance. The order of lines in the 'what are you going to do Joe casey' was also confused, but we played it out and it still made sense to the audience.
7:30 - Our commitment to being a young couple was shown more in the performance, we also made more of the comedy moments. For example the condom joke, we bought our faces so close together and paused, like 'what's that' and then contrast from no/slow movement to charlotte quickly throwing the condom away created comedy. The audience further responded with laughter with improved our confidence for the rest of the scene.
SCENE 3 - BAGGY TROUSERS / DRIVING IN MY CAR
4:30 - The actual dance got off to a bad start (Nathan said something funny that distracted me, and we both started doing the movement in the wrong direction) but the energy was also down in this performance. When I come on for '1pm, corner of casey street' the girls were late on stage, and I didn't realise they were delayed, this resulted in me having to ad-lib onstage, which whilst was improvisation, didn't look smooth or like it was planned. The singing at the end of driving in my car was fine, but I sung the line that was supposed to be instrumental, and so I remembered for next time to leave the gap.
7:30 - The energy in all dances were up, including the dialogue in driving in my car, ad-libbing during the roundabout scene, to keep momentum and energy up. This also helped the band as our energy bounced off their playing. I corrected my solo, leaving the instrumental for luke to play, and put more emotion into the song and the way that I Sung it.
SCENE 4 - WAITRESS SCENE
4:30 - This scene was tainted by the fact that I had gotten changed into the wrong outfit, and had to shove my white t shirt over my ball dress. I let this get to me and effect my acting in the scene, I ended up forgetting 'drinks?' at the end of lines, throwing people off as they couldn't respond how they were going to.
7:30 - Having made this mistake before, I was super paranoid about getting the scene and costume right. As a result of this, we remembered everything, and the acting between charlotte and I was better- I didn't rush the sassy line about Joe not being into doing things for other- this showed my anger and impact on the line better.
SCENE 5 - LAWYERS OFFICE
4:30 - this scene felt very bitty as Callum was delayed in interrupting my line, meaning there were awkward pauses. However the tension between Joe and I was good as we hadn't done it with the lighting before, so it impacted the mood on stage, helping us stay in character.
7:30 - I had learnt by now that I should keep talking until Callum interrupted me, making the scene smoother and more real in that he was actually interrupting me.
SCENE 5 - CHARITY BALL
4:30 - This scene was smooth, I came on at the right time and despite leaving a pause before my 'oh the band has stopped line' was able to make comedy out of Billy and Angie interaction, being puzzled and confused at the idea of a donkey being surrounded by stallions.
7:30 - I had struggled to change for this scene, so Callum had to come on early and ad-lib- whilst this was stressful it helped with my characterisation as I was supposed to be at all ball that I had organised, so I would be stressed and I would be running late. This also coincides with 'oh billie' as if I'm shocked and that I hadn't seen them, as I was distracted and late.
SCENE 6 - JOE PUNCHES CALLUM
4:30 - I was on the steps instead of coming in downstage left with Callum. This meant we came on separately which didn't make sense in the context of the scene. Other than that, the timing for the punches worked really well, but we did skip the lines form Emmo and lewis due to the high tension in the scene meaning lines had to be said quickly to keep the pace up, so the order varied but the scene still made sense.
7:30 - This time I came on wearing the jacket, as said in the script, and I came on from the right place with Callum. Whilst we skipped a couple of lines again this was a sacrifice willing to take in order to achieve the tension and quick-fire line recital that made the scene so impactful.
SCENE 7 - THE SUN AND THE RAIN
4:30 - The main fault in this was that my mic wasn't on, so the harmony I sung wasn't as impactful as I had hoped, but other than that we danced casually, as if no one was watching, and climbed up on the staging really smoothly and seamlessly.
7:30 - Vocally we missed our cues for the 'I feel the rain falling on my face' lines, but got the key changes and harmonies spot on. We were also happy and smiley throughout.
ACT 2
SCENE 1 - VAGAS WEDDING/ WINGS OF A DOVE
4:30 - We convincingly acted as tourists, and whilst we got the blocking wrong (not getting off the blocks soon enough) Our tourist attitude was convincingly conveyed through taking photos and looking at the scenery as well as talking with each other.
7:30 - We fixed the blocking so that the lights were lined up with our movement. My ad-libbing and fast reactions to hearing that I had bridesmaids and best men made them more realistic as if I was genuinely shocked. Our tourist acting was equally as convincing
SCENE 2 - NW5
4:30 - I was unhappy with my tuning on this one, I was nervous and let that get to me. The ad-lib licks at the end of the song were a challenge as I was dehydrated and my throat was dry.
7:30 - I made sure I grabbed a drink before the second interval started. I love this song, and knowing it was my last time to sing it really spurred me on to ace it. I put a lot of emotion into my movement and the words as well, looking at the top, down at my shoes when I was sad and there was other dialogue.
SCENE 3 - IT MUST BE LOVE
4:30 - My throat was still dry in this song, so I struggled to get the conversational tone I was after, but generally our connection was shown strongly through facial expressions. A messy part of the song was when the chorus forgot to come on for the last two lines
7:30 - Having just had a drink, I was more easily able to reach the high notes and sing it in a conversational way, as If i was finally telling Joe everything I wanted him to know. The harmony in the final song worked really well and the blending of our voices was also smooth. This was a highlight to all my family when I asked their favourite song, It was convincing and enjoyable to perform.
SCENE 4 - FUNERAL
4:30 - I rushed my lines in this, which was ineffective as its repeat of a line i had early in the alternate joe story, however my exit was dramatic and angry as I ran up the stairs (partly so I had time to change ready for the wedding scene (the most stressful change of my life)
7:30 - I overcompensated with the speed of my lines this time, saying slowly, furiously reacting in a manner of shock, this meant the audience could clearly hear what I was saying but my mood was still conveyed.
SCENE 5 - WEDDING/FINAL OUR HOUSE SONG
4:30- I was on stage late from the fast costume change, but the song worked well as I had a lot of interaction from other cast members, Raven and Fran in particular (when joes talking for example we chatted) I also have to break the mood of sadness from the scene with the dad and remind people this is a happy feel good scene, this works as it reminds the audience the same, and brings the happy ending together.
7:30 - I was nervous for the final change, out of the wedding dress and into uniform on stage. However having achieved it relatively stress free in this performance i was able to see how effective it was, tying the whole show together, as if Joe and I were back where we were at the start before the split to good and bad joe.
4:30 - The actual dance for this didn't go so well, as the day before I changed groups vocally, which effected which side of the stage I stood and which movement I did. In terms of the acting, I walked on the stage, not conveying the energy I wanted to go with the enthusiasm the line entailed of 'hey joe'
7:30 - I ran on with energy this time, as if I was excited to see the community, particularly Joe. The energy I had as soon as I entered made an impact on the audience, and meant that generally I was more in character and focused, as i'd got off to a good start.
SCENE 2 - JOE AND SARAH SCENES ACT ONE
4:30 - This scene was fairly slick, despite interrupting each other with cues once or twice. Mine and Charlotte's physical interaction is the only major downfall, for example we didn't help each other up onto the blocks as a teenage couple would, I felt as if our physicality was just us standing stationary- something I wanted to improve on for the next performance. The order of lines in the 'what are you going to do Joe casey' was also confused, but we played it out and it still made sense to the audience.
7:30 - Our commitment to being a young couple was shown more in the performance, we also made more of the comedy moments. For example the condom joke, we bought our faces so close together and paused, like 'what's that' and then contrast from no/slow movement to charlotte quickly throwing the condom away created comedy. The audience further responded with laughter with improved our confidence for the rest of the scene.
SCENE 3 - BAGGY TROUSERS / DRIVING IN MY CAR
4:30 - The actual dance got off to a bad start (Nathan said something funny that distracted me, and we both started doing the movement in the wrong direction) but the energy was also down in this performance. When I come on for '1pm, corner of casey street' the girls were late on stage, and I didn't realise they were delayed, this resulted in me having to ad-lib onstage, which whilst was improvisation, didn't look smooth or like it was planned. The singing at the end of driving in my car was fine, but I sung the line that was supposed to be instrumental, and so I remembered for next time to leave the gap.
7:30 - The energy in all dances were up, including the dialogue in driving in my car, ad-libbing during the roundabout scene, to keep momentum and energy up. This also helped the band as our energy bounced off their playing. I corrected my solo, leaving the instrumental for luke to play, and put more emotion into the song and the way that I Sung it.
SCENE 4 - WAITRESS SCENE
4:30 - This scene was tainted by the fact that I had gotten changed into the wrong outfit, and had to shove my white t shirt over my ball dress. I let this get to me and effect my acting in the scene, I ended up forgetting 'drinks?' at the end of lines, throwing people off as they couldn't respond how they were going to.
7:30 - Having made this mistake before, I was super paranoid about getting the scene and costume right. As a result of this, we remembered everything, and the acting between charlotte and I was better- I didn't rush the sassy line about Joe not being into doing things for other- this showed my anger and impact on the line better.
SCENE 5 - LAWYERS OFFICE
4:30 - this scene felt very bitty as Callum was delayed in interrupting my line, meaning there were awkward pauses. However the tension between Joe and I was good as we hadn't done it with the lighting before, so it impacted the mood on stage, helping us stay in character.
7:30 - I had learnt by now that I should keep talking until Callum interrupted me, making the scene smoother and more real in that he was actually interrupting me.
SCENE 5 - CHARITY BALL
4:30 - This scene was smooth, I came on at the right time and despite leaving a pause before my 'oh the band has stopped line' was able to make comedy out of Billy and Angie interaction, being puzzled and confused at the idea of a donkey being surrounded by stallions.
7:30 - I had struggled to change for this scene, so Callum had to come on early and ad-lib- whilst this was stressful it helped with my characterisation as I was supposed to be at all ball that I had organised, so I would be stressed and I would be running late. This also coincides with 'oh billie' as if I'm shocked and that I hadn't seen them, as I was distracted and late.
SCENE 6 - JOE PUNCHES CALLUM
4:30 - I was on the steps instead of coming in downstage left with Callum. This meant we came on separately which didn't make sense in the context of the scene. Other than that, the timing for the punches worked really well, but we did skip the lines form Emmo and lewis due to the high tension in the scene meaning lines had to be said quickly to keep the pace up, so the order varied but the scene still made sense.
7:30 - This time I came on wearing the jacket, as said in the script, and I came on from the right place with Callum. Whilst we skipped a couple of lines again this was a sacrifice willing to take in order to achieve the tension and quick-fire line recital that made the scene so impactful.
SCENE 7 - THE SUN AND THE RAIN
4:30 - The main fault in this was that my mic wasn't on, so the harmony I sung wasn't as impactful as I had hoped, but other than that we danced casually, as if no one was watching, and climbed up on the staging really smoothly and seamlessly.
7:30 - Vocally we missed our cues for the 'I feel the rain falling on my face' lines, but got the key changes and harmonies spot on. We were also happy and smiley throughout.
ACT 2
SCENE 1 - VAGAS WEDDING/ WINGS OF A DOVE
4:30 - We convincingly acted as tourists, and whilst we got the blocking wrong (not getting off the blocks soon enough) Our tourist attitude was convincingly conveyed through taking photos and looking at the scenery as well as talking with each other.
7:30 - We fixed the blocking so that the lights were lined up with our movement. My ad-libbing and fast reactions to hearing that I had bridesmaids and best men made them more realistic as if I was genuinely shocked. Our tourist acting was equally as convincing
SCENE 2 - NW5
4:30 - I was unhappy with my tuning on this one, I was nervous and let that get to me. The ad-lib licks at the end of the song were a challenge as I was dehydrated and my throat was dry.
7:30 - I made sure I grabbed a drink before the second interval started. I love this song, and knowing it was my last time to sing it really spurred me on to ace it. I put a lot of emotion into my movement and the words as well, looking at the top, down at my shoes when I was sad and there was other dialogue.
SCENE 3 - IT MUST BE LOVE
4:30 - My throat was still dry in this song, so I struggled to get the conversational tone I was after, but generally our connection was shown strongly through facial expressions. A messy part of the song was when the chorus forgot to come on for the last two lines
7:30 - Having just had a drink, I was more easily able to reach the high notes and sing it in a conversational way, as If i was finally telling Joe everything I wanted him to know. The harmony in the final song worked really well and the blending of our voices was also smooth. This was a highlight to all my family when I asked their favourite song, It was convincing and enjoyable to perform.
SCENE 4 - FUNERAL
4:30 - I rushed my lines in this, which was ineffective as its repeat of a line i had early in the alternate joe story, however my exit was dramatic and angry as I ran up the stairs (partly so I had time to change ready for the wedding scene (the most stressful change of my life)
7:30 - I overcompensated with the speed of my lines this time, saying slowly, furiously reacting in a manner of shock, this meant the audience could clearly hear what I was saying but my mood was still conveyed.
SCENE 5 - WEDDING/FINAL OUR HOUSE SONG
4:30- I was on stage late from the fast costume change, but the song worked well as I had a lot of interaction from other cast members, Raven and Fran in particular (when joes talking for example we chatted) I also have to break the mood of sadness from the scene with the dad and remind people this is a happy feel good scene, this works as it reminds the audience the same, and brings the happy ending together.
7:30 - I was nervous for the final change, out of the wedding dress and into uniform on stage. However having achieved it relatively stress free in this performance i was able to see how effective it was, tying the whole show together, as if Joe and I were back where we were at the start before the split to good and bad joe.
Monday, 22 May 2017
OUR HOUSE - Tech Day
TECH DAY
Charlotte and I volunteered to help Kim with the Tech run; we felt this would help us affirm out knowledge of the show, its chronology, its blocking and the story's progression. Whilst we started late, and it was a slow process, it was really beneficial for the perspective of being on and off cast, knowing what was happening, where and when.
What went well:
- being thorough with the staging, taking time to deliberate over the lighting so that we take the best options for each scene. For example having blue lights suddenly appear when the rain starts, or the red lighting to symbolise the fire at the end of the show
- working well as a team, we all (whilst we were flagging) had patience and perseverance to keep going and get the tech run finished.
Charlotte and I volunteered to help Kim with the Tech run; we felt this would help us affirm out knowledge of the show, its chronology, its blocking and the story's progression. Whilst we started late, and it was a slow process, it was really beneficial for the perspective of being on and off cast, knowing what was happening, where and when.
What went well:
- being thorough with the staging, taking time to deliberate over the lighting so that we take the best options for each scene. For example having blue lights suddenly appear when the rain starts, or the red lighting to symbolise the fire at the end of the show
- working well as a team, we all (whilst we were flagging) had patience and perseverance to keep going and get the tech run finished.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)