Post show

My costume and you can see Isabella
getting ready for the show

The show was great. I really enjoyed that moment when you are nervous and excited at the same time. The last time I performed in front of big audience was last year when we performed Our Day Out and my playing role was Carol. However, I didn`t expect that our and other groups performance would be that good as one week to performance we haven`t run through the whole play with all members of green group. It was always someone missing or we were running out of time to rehearse it. Most of the time I was working with Trinculo and Stephano
 as most of my scenes are with them. On Monday during our technical rehearsal we decided to add some jokes to make it more funny and it worked. Even though we did it last minute the response from the audience was great. They were laughing and cheering when Odinelsa said something funny. For example, they really liked when she started singing at her first scene. The audience loved Carlos behaviour, most of the time he gave lots of energy to our scene as he was obedience to Stephano. I think, that I did really good getting under the skin. The time I was "sitting" in the cave I was concentrating and tried to think what would I think "if I was Caliban" and it really helped me to focus because I sat there for at least 15 or 20 minutes as I had got there before the audience started arriving.


The only thing that went wrong in the afternoon performance was when the fire drill went off and we were about to go on and the so everyone had to leave the premises.
I think it slightly helped us as everyone calmed down a bit and weren`t nervous as we were before. The performance went well. We didn`t make any big mistakes and got really good feedback from tutors and friends who came to watch us.

In my opinion we got relaxed during the day and wasn`t so focus. After I said my line Odinelsa or Carlos forgot theirs or skipped straight to the next part which made confusion. We stayed in quite for at least 30seconds which feels like 5 minutes on stage and then Carlos tried to fix the situation by saying "You know what I`ll go further off" then Luis helped us out by playing the music of Aerial which meant we`ve got to follow it and we exited the stage. In our very first scene we forgot to take lid of the bottle that Odinelsa had to get us all drunk and the cloth
I was hiding under. But we easily figure it out  and Trinculo grabbed it in our next scene. We smoothed it out so the audience could think it supposed to happen like this. But everything else was great. We put a lot of energy in it so the stage didn`t look dead. Also Rob gave each of us some notes after costume rehearsal in the morning which I used later in the show. My notes were roar when I came out of the cave, laugh and then say "you taught me language and my profit on it is...", pick up the cues and add tempo to my speech "Why, as I told thee..". However, it`s good to relax after long months of working on the Tempest.

Starting from the righ to the left Odinelsa (Stephano), me(Caliban)
 and Carlos(Tinculo)

Technical rehearsal, the end of the play 

The Tempest Rehearsals

We have been rehearsing The Tempest for about 6 weeks. The progress is clearly visible: we all are moving forward. Rehearsing is much easier when pretty much everyone is off book. There are some classmates, including me, who goes `Line... Line... Line...` but at least we start bringing the life off stage and on stage to life.

I found hard moments when I am on stage and don`t have any lines to say. In this situation, I must not forget that life still goes on and I have to stay in my character. Most of the time it`s the thought process because sometimes I forgot to think about Caliban`s life and his thoughts: what happened to him, why I am angry or why do I want Stephano to destroy Prospero. But the more we rehearse the more confident I get because every time we rehearse we try new things and apply some of them to our performance. For example, yesterday Rob suggested Caliban to start shaking when he hears Trinculo and Stephano coming for the first time. It`s because he thinks Prospero send his spirits to torment him for bringing food in slowly.

Also I started moving my voice which is good because my character is always angry and aggressive so the audience can clearly understand that Caliban is a bad guy. My voice should sound desperately angry when I say `This island`s MINE!` I emphasized Mine showing that the island some time ago was mine and I really want to get it back. But it shouldn`t be exaggerated it because Prospero is standing right next to me and can cause me pains by just clicking his fingers.

Today rehearsals went very well. Finally we went through the whole play with all cast members from our group apart Sheeryce because she wasn`t in today. Rob feedback was that we had very good concentration and energy at the beginning. Said that we should keep the same energy from the beginning to the end so we won`t lose the engagement with an audience.

Costume, props and set 

Our green groups haven`t decided yet what we are going to wear for the performance. I started thinking that my character should be wearing loose and ripped clothes as he is an islander who has been living in the island where is no shops for a long time. Also I was thinking of using little bit of body painting to give my character dirty look. I will rough my hair up so it looks like I haven`t brushed my hair for a long time. 

For set we using bunch of chairs in the middle to show where the island is. We will discuss about set, props and costume son coming Thursday. Most of my scenes are together with Trinculo (Carlos) and Stephano (Odinelsa) and they use a bottle of wine for props as they drink all the time.

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 

Understanding my role - Shakespeare`s Caliban

About Caliban`s background

In the last few weeks we were working on Shakespeare's The Tempest the play. My playing role is Caliban. When Rob was asked what role we would like to play I had chosen Miranda or Caliban.
But now I'm happy that I got to play Caliban. It's challenge to me as I always get similar roles.

Caliban drown in 20th century.

Different from other roles, Caliban is a monster who hates Prospero. He's the one who took over the island from Caliban. Since then, monster has been serving Prospero as a slave. He inherited the island by his mother Sycorax. According to Prospero Sycorax and devil hook-up and that`s how Caliban were born. Later on, his mother were exiled of the island so Caliban were left all alone by himself. It might one of the reasons why he`s so brutal.

However, everything has changed when Prospero came to the island. At the beginning the relationship between Caliban and Prospero were very good. As Caliban says in script "And I showed thee al the qualities o`th`isle. The fresh springs, brine pits, barren place and fertile.". It explains that Caliban showed around the island so Prospero could stay alive. In return Prospero treated Caliban with a human care. Even though Prospero and his daughter Miranda taught him language. Literally, he didn`t speak any language before. All things got messed up when Caliban tried to rape Miranda in order to extend his tribe. After that Prospero got very upset and punished him with stomach cramps, and hurl the kinds of insults. In other words, he treated him like rubbish. I suggest other reason why Caliban hates Prospero is he took over the island which belonged to calibans before.

Caliban in a play

On the other hand, Caliban loves his island even though it belongs to someone else. He describes the wonders of his island in most beautiful words he knows. His speech sounds as prose thanks to Miranda for teaching him their language. That`s why he uses big words ( not forgetting that he`s caliban) comparing to Stephano`s and Trinculo`s poor language.

Anyway, Shakespeare made him look like born to slave. His language shows that slaving is a normal thing to him. For example, when he admits Stephano is a new master to him and licks (or just pretends) his foot. Though he, Stephano and Trinculo conspire to kill Prospero, he promises to serve Stephano.

To sum up, Caliban is one of best characters made by Shakespeare. His personality and behaviour wild and savage. That`s what makes this character different from others. In my opinion, this character will help to find a new side of my acting skills. And of course, challenges me a lot wihch is a good thing.

"Free" The Poem. World War 2.

Poem

In the last few weeks we have been working on poems. Every Thursday morning Rob gave us different poems so we could practice reading through them. For example, one morning I was in pair with Toya. We were working on the sad story poem and had to read it in a comic way. For the assignment I have chosen Free The Poem. I liked this poem because of it's simplicity that makes it beautiful. At first, it might look a bit silly because of it's content so you need to understand the actual meaning of it. Rob's feedback about my poem was positive. He agreed that I improved on articulation. Reading aloud books helps me a lot. I Pace, rhythm was good as well.

Story of World War 2

In Sharon`s class we were working on World War 2 stories. I was in group with Isabella, Mara and Odinelsa. Our story was based on Hitler the dictator of Germany,

Memories from World War 2

Me, Isabella and Mara were members of anti-Hitler youth center. Odinelsa published propaganda promoting everyone to join Hitler`s team because he is the best. Mara got very excited about it. Meanwhile me and Isabella started to think of escape. Mara promised us that she would help us to run away but she betrayed us. She has joined Hitler. Regardless, we were best friends she put me and Isabella in prison. By accident she pushed me, I felt down and broke my leg, Later on messenger of Hitler team (Mara) came and took Isabella away.

A lot of people joined the German`s army during WW2

I had no idea where she was taking her to. She left me in my cell because I couldn`t walk. My leg was swollen. After few minutes she came back again. Hitler ordered her to bring me in. Even though I was lying down on the floor without any power, she grabbed me under my arm picks and drag me away to the Hitler`s room. Moment I came into room I saw Isabella. She looked so tired and weak. I wanted to explain Mara that she`s going wrong way, to prove her that this is not right but she didn`t listen to me. And then I heard Hitler`s voice "kill her". These words shrilled through my ears. I knew this is the end. Though I was calling out "No! No! No! We were best friends!" she hit me. THE END.

Germany flag

It was 5 minutes long short piece based on real stories from World War 2. It was very believable. The story was clear as well as the characters.

However, later one as the role everyone was playing we wrote a letter to someone. My character was slave with broken leg writing a letter to her beloved fiance. My character was writing this letter while she was stuck in prison cell after Isabella was taken away. She is very scared, doesn``t know whats going to happen, where is her friend, what happened to Mara, why she is acting like this, this is wrong very wrong. Anyway, my letter is addressed to my beloved John. He was living in the USA at this time. In my letter I explain everything
what has happened recently and tell John how I love him.





By the way, everyone should watch Pearl Harbor the movie. It`s based on real story and is about love, war, lost, friends and betrayal. Starring Ben Affleck, It is one of my favorite movies. Amazing set, great actors and the story is just breathless.


All quiet on the Western front the book (Im Western nichts Neues) written by Erich Maria Remarque is true story of impact of social attitude to young adults before and after war.

 Xoxo, Amber

Original story of Anastasia vs Disney story of Anastasia.

Original story of Anastasia 

As I have chosen my favourite fairytale is Anastasia. It is one of the most beautiful cartoon movies I have ever seen. Sadly, it has a real cruel story. Even though cartoon seems nice story of Anastasia there is a real tragedy behind it. Story is completely changed but the main facts of it are left. It is rewritten and some cruel facts about political life have changed to magical and unforgettable world of ‘Anastasia’. However, this story is made for kids and some parents would not like their children watching tough cartoons on TV.

Everything has started in twentieth century only 100 years ago and still has not ended. Nicholas II Romanov had become Czar of Russia in 1896. He was the last autocratic ruler left in Europe, where Kings and Emperors ruled a continent. Russia was one of the biggest lands to rule by one person at this time. Many people have tried to ruin his reign and take over his position but they were unsuccessful. Some of European countries were already democratized so do Russians wanted democracy. Ones were unhappy about not moving towards democracy but majority were pleased with governance.

Anastasia in 1914

Nicholas family did not want a revolution, especially towards democracy. Economic growth was great during this time and people were happy about it.

However, he had a nice family. His wife Alexandra, who was living in Germany for a while, was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain. The Czar had four very beautiful daughters, Olga, Tatiana, Marie and Anastasia, and son Alexei. As he was the only boy child in family he was heir to the throne. But he was sick of haemophilia he needed some help. And then Rasputin showed up as a mysterious woodsman. He helped Alexei to calm down and recuperate. He was a friend of Romanov`s family. He was helping them out when Nicholas went to the army. Rumours about Rasputin and the Czar`s Wife spread around.

However, World War 1 was in progress. One thing followed to another even more sparking the war between Russia and Germany. Vladimir Lenin became a leader of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) by putting Romanovs in very bad situation. A few months later they all were killed. A secret police leader shot all family members one by one. After man years rumors of still alive Anastasia began circulating. Many women were claiming that they were Anastasia. One of them looked identically like Duchess. Regardless, there were not enough proofs that there was the Grand Duchess Anastasia even though the girl looked just like her. Many years later a mysterious girl Anna Anderson`s DNA proved that Anastasia was killed with other family members in 1918. All supposition was negated after 90 years of mystery. Anastasia 

Anyway, family`s eradication had a big impact to Russia and other countries. And then Communism totally conquers the country. It was the beginning of fascism and communism.

Disney Story of Anastasia

The Disney has picked up the main thing of original story. It`s a delightful animated musical. Anastasia was about 9 years old. There was a big ball at Winter Palace during the February revolution. Anastasia and her family run out of the palace. They were running very fast to the train station. Anastasia is about to get on the train but because of chaos she slips, falls down and forgets everything. When she turns 18 she comes back to St. Petersburg. Everyone rumoring that Anastasia is alive! 

Anastasia at Winter Palace

Two friends one of them named Dimitri decided to earn some money and collect the reward from Anastasia`s grandmother who hopelessly wants to find her. So he and his friends are holding 

Bartok

auditions at Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, looking for someone who looks like Anastasia. Accidentally they met Anya (Anastasia) there who looks most similar to tsarina but she doesn`t remember anything. However, Rasputin plays a villain`s role in the movie. He cursed the Romanov`s family because they betrayed him. He came to the ball at the beginning of the movie and destroyed everything but little girl who escaped-little Anastasia. By the way, he has funny little friend Russian bat named Bartok. 

Though Rasputin was weirdo he was very close to the family and helped to cure Alexi`s from hemophilia. Anyway, Anastasia and two guys travelling to Paris to collect the reward. Dimitri and Anya falls in love with each other. Secretly, he and his friend know that Anya somehow is a real tsarina that got lost many years ago. Dimtri feels bad because he`s about to betray her. They come to Paris and going to see grandmother. A boy admits that he doesn`t need a reward he just informs that they have found her real granddaughter. The moment Anya and grandmother meets they start singing a song that only two of them know. Both Dimitri and Anastasia destroys Rasputin and all his magical powers. In reward, grandmother lets her go and be with Dimitri even though he doesn`t have royal blood. They lived happily ever after.

Grandmother puts the crown on Anastasia 

Which techniques did I use to tell story of Anastasia in 1 minute? 

I can tell that it was very hard to choose main 3 scenes because all of them are so beautiful. The 3 main points I have chosen:

1. The beginning when she gets lost and forgets everything. 
2. Dimtri and his friend finds Anastasia and offers her go to Paris and get riches. 
3. Moment Anastasia and grandmother sees each other they remember everything. 

I was in pair with Jerome. He numbered 3 things I used most: 

• Characterization 
• Narration 
• Mimicking  

He said that I separated all characters: wizard Rasputin, Anastasia, Dimtri and his friend, grandmother by changing voices, using different body language, mimicking. My performance was only 1 minute long so I used narration to tell people what`s going on and monologue to show different characters. I started my story with "Long time ago Anastasia and her family had a big ball in St. Petersburg... And the bad wizard came and destroyed everything!" "Bang Bang Bang!!" "A little Anastasia got lost, fell down and forget everything..." The ending of first part of the story. Second part started with queen standing in the middle and telling everyone "Those who will find my lost granddaughter will get riches" "Two guys decided to earn some money and started looking for Anastasia. Accidentally they met a girl looking just like Anya." "Look! She looks just like the princess." ( Dimitri pointed to Anastasia) "Hid friend agreed." All 3 of them: Anya, Dimitri and his friend went to Paris. The moment Anastasia saw grandmother they recognized each other. In return, Dimitri got married with Anastasia (she called out "I DO!") and they lived happily ever after.

Anya and Dimitri

Working On Our Country's Good

At the beginning I would like to highlight my targets which is to improve my articulation and voice projection, get under the skin, correctly use Stanislavski`s methods to help me understand Duckling`s character.  My partner Matthew and I have been rehearsing for the last few weeks for Our Country's Good. We have tried different pace and pitch by doing voice exercises and repeating the same line for a few times, slowing down and speeding up.

Our Country`s Good in West End

About my character: Duckling Smith born and raised in London. She was a young prostitute and thief who was sentenced to death at only age of 16. Her childhood was severe. She was sold as a prostitute when she was 8. Later on was working as one of 'Goose's girls'. Because of lack of money she started stealing and got caught. She was accused of stealing silverware worth for 45 shillings at this time. Hanging as punishment was completely normal thing for that kind of offence. Stealing of things valued at £3.00 (equal to 60 shillings) thieves got hanged. Harry Brewer who is hopelessly in love with Duckling saved her life by writing her name on a list to transportation for 7 years. However, their relationship was quite hard. Harry goes great guns to get Duckling's attention while she tries to ignore him because she's afraid if he realises that she loves him he will become cruel. However, she knows exactly what he likes and what he doesn't. She plays with his feeling not realising it can end up tragically. For example, the scene that she goes down her knees and using sexy voice talks with Harry about intimate things. Nobody expected that I would do it but I know that my character would. To be honest, it's not my favourite scene but I can't imagine this scene without any body language. Because there is a reason why she says it, she's seducing Harry, so just saying the words out doesn't make any sense about the actual meaning of it.  

Our Country`s Good in West End

About the play: It was written in seventeenth century by playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker. This play is based on real story of convicts that was exiled to Australia. 

Our Country`s Good in West End

What barriers am I discovering? Firstly, I didn't know all the words are used in the play such as Mollie, and got confused how to pronounce lieutenant, Thames, gaoler but Rob and classmates helped me out. Rob said that my articulation gets better and better but the line "...and take my corpse with you. You could have kept that in chains" is a good tongue twister. At the end of the day, vocal and breathing exercises helps me a bit. I trying to do it every morning before college. Besides, we have vocal class every Thursday. Every Thursday morning in Rob's class we warm our bodies up, did OO-OH-OR and a few tongue twisters. Here is one I flew through the air without a care. 

After all, working on Stanislavski`s techniques was very helpful. I will adapt it while will be working on The Tempest  written by Shakespeare after Christmas holidays. I already used his methods to understand the poem Free. To be honest, it takes a while analyzing every single line or even a sentence. But I`m sure the time is well spent understanding the role I`m playing. 

P.S. I will upload a video soon.