A bit more of The Tempest

Rehearsals with Rob 

Rehearsals are going very well. I start getting under the skin by using Stanislavski technique. I wrote down what my character Caliban (I) thinks of particularity situations.  For example, "Why, as I say, `tis a custom with him I`th`afternoon to sleep." (p 52).  I reveal Prospero`s secret to Stephano so he could "destroy" him. Stephano and Trinculo doesn`t take seriously. They are just happy to think of they may be the Kings of the island. Though everything what
Caliban believes in is just a joke for them both.

Rehearsing

However, Caliban hates Prospero and Miranda, and he wants his island back. Rob suggested to use "emotional recall" method by remembering the biggest fight in my life and how did I feel. So I went back home, lied down and closed my eyes. Slowly by slowly I went deeper inside my memory. I asked myself a few question: what did I do to achieve it? Have I changed? Exercised more? Ate healthy food? I remembered the food I ate, running every day, going to sleep early. All this actions has changed my routine and I achieved what I wanted to. Caliban is in the same situation. He wants to kill Prospero so badly for taking over his island and making him a slave. Seeking revenge in every step he takes. This feeling is about to blow his mind.

Glad I`m nearly off book but still need to work on some lines. Going over the lines again and again helps to remember it quickly. If someone is not in, I go through the lines with Isabella. Reading the text many times helps to remember clues.

Rehearsing

I haven`t rehearsed with everyone in my group because someone always is missing. However, it`s fine by me working with other people but I think it would be better if us all could rehearse together because each of us might have different ideas we want to use whilst other groups might not want to use them. For example, Jack or Toyo is not in or comes in late so I replace them. I don`t mind doing that as it gives me a chance to rehearse more. The more we rehearse the better we get.

On Thursday afternoon few of us were rehearsing. We ran over the scene 4 the one where Stephano pokes Trinculo in the eye. Jerome and Jack was watching us and gave us critical feedback which was very helpful. Jack (plays Caliban) suggested to raise up a voice whilst saying `tyrant` and `sorcerer`. What does those words mean to Caliban (me)? Tyrant is an absolute ruler who governs without restrictions. In other words tyrant is a dictator. People don`t like dictators as they seized power illegally. Caliban compares Prospero to a tyrant by saying the words loathly.

Physical Theater class with Sharon

In Sharon`s class we were reading and analyzing Caliban`s speech about the island, it`s beauty and noises in the island. First all 6 of us were lying down in circle touching shoulder to shoulder.

Dance class

Then we thank of different noises and sounds made in the island and bit by bit kept raising our voice by doing our chosen sound. In the middle of class we had put down 4 big blue mats so it can be the island.
Analyzing the text was really helpful as we don`t do any physical theater stuff with Rob. In class with Rob we more working on the lines, blocking and just rehearsing the whole play.

As we discussed all sounds, airs and noises doesn`t scare him but give him delight. He enjoys all that unpleasant, kind of scary things. The speech reading helped me to get the right rhythm. We looked at the comma, that famous slow-down signal. Without this little piece of punctuation, text would have sounded completely different. Enjoying reading the text is one of the most important things in Shakespeare`s works.

As an actress I benefited as my playing role is Caliban and we spent the whole lesson working on Caliban`s speech. It helps me to understand my role even more. Though physicality we did was closer to Aerial than
Caliban I picked some noises and moves which might be useful for performance. And I really like the idea that actors who stands behind curtains could make different sounds so it will give a clue to Caliban to reassure Stephano and Trinculo that island is safe "Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises, sound and sweet airs...".

Coming soon Jerome`s and mine duet dancing