'13' - Week 6

Introduction

In our last week before the performances, it was vital we picked up the pace to some extend, as we didn't want the production to drag on, and the audience to get bored. We ran through Act 1, and 4 in a speed run.

Act 4 Run

After the week off, I came back ready to start rehearsing '13' as I had learnt most of my lines and researched more into my character, like his beliefs and medical condition. Stephen, as I have found out before is an Atheist, which is the rejection of belief. I made an assumption that because of his beliefs Stephen thinks he is superior to most people. This is the reason he tries to hide his condition, he doesn't want to seem weak as his status would be demoralised. This hiding of Stephens cancer, is shown as he quickly shuts downs Johns question of 'is it

Chair Duets by Frantic Assembly

cancer?'(BartlettM.2011.'13'.Retrieved 8th November 2014 from http://www.dramaonlinelibrary.com/plays/13-iid-18480/do-9781408175187-div-00000057 )  in Act 4 Scene 8 by saying 'well they haven't completed the tests yet, but we're not here to play doctors.' This line shows how Stephen believes there is more important things to talk about. I explored this and had the idea of turning and looking away, because I don't want to come off as weak to John, as he is my foe. As we started to run my favourite Act, I anticipated that it could be tedious, as it was such a long act. This would have been ok for a run through, but it can't happen in any of the performances as we can't have the audience being tired or bored. I first did my scene with Sophie where I have one line, in this scene my reactions is what I have to focus on most. In this scene I have the emotion of shocked as Ruth tells me about how John and Ruth's son Simon were best friends. For this I found it difficult to act shocked, and so I used Stanislavski's system and imagined my mum telling me she was married to Bob Marley. This gave me the emotion of shock quickly because it seems so unlikely, and this I related to the scene with Ruth. After this scene I go do chair duets with Nathan, to give a more artistic way of showing a busy park as the stage directions are 'in the crowd.' (BartlettM.2011.'13'.Retrieved 9th November 2014 from http://www.dramaonlinelibrary.com/plays/13-iid-18480/do-9781408175187-div-00000052 ) Chair duets is a element made by 'Frantic Assembly', a Theatre group. I thought the use of Chair duets was brilliant here as it creates a very hectic ambience and can be used for different scenarios and in different ways, for example Phoebe and Matt use the duets as if they are both kids and this is a game they are playing at the park. This gives the scene more naturalism as kids playing in a park is quite common but also with the contrast of artistic direction, as mine and Nathan's Chair duet is very big and melodramatic. The next scene I was involved in was Scene 8, I love doing this scene because I feel I can bring out real passion in this scene, and I felt I was really focused when performing this scene as I was attacking John with every line, and he was attacking me back with his lines. This was a good use of teamwork from me and Matt. I also felt very disciplined as an Actor after this scene as I still felt the same disgust towards John from the wings. This helped me to become ready for the finale.

Act 4 Finale

As we cut Act 5, the finale of '13' would be at the end of Act 4. This scene which ends the production is of John speaking and the 12 getting into position, then there is a chime 12 times so we all turn on the lights. I think this is great because it is black and then each phone switches on to light each face of the 12 in succession, this visual seen by the audience symbolises the social media aspect of '13' as we are using our phones. The chime also links to '13' as it is like the 'Big Ben' in London where '13' is set. The light also shows the feelings of the 12 and how they have to put their trust in the hands of the government and hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In this scene Rob also delivers his monologue. I thought Jake who plays Rob could have delivered the speech improved as I felt his vocal delivery could of been better, however his movement in this scene was good as he used all of the stage and this would have helped to keep the audience engaged throughout his long speech. In this scene I stand still and look at one point, I felt in this scene I was focused, but I need to be mirroring Ruth as it shows the connection these two characters have.

Act 1 

This week we also ran through Act 1 in a speed run, we rehearsed the nightclub scene and made it better as before it was scrappy. Unfortunately, for me before the nightclub scene I am with Ruth in the penultimate scene of Act 1. This means I have to take the chair and props off and I will get into the nightclub scene late, however the group improvised and waited for me before doing our 16 beat dance. In some ways waiting for me was good as it made sure everyone was in position for the dance. This simple act of group kindness merged into helping this scene progress. Overall, I felt that improved the scene.Earlier I am also in act 1, where I have my speech. In this rehearsal I was so focused on my emotions in this scene that I forgot to deliver my lines at the right time. I felt this error was good though, as it helped me to realise that I need a balance when focusing on my lines, and emotions for the scene, as well as other elements such as movement. Also in act 1 I am involved in the alpha group, a Christian religious group that debates different ideas, that members want to talk about concerning religion. In this scene I am a ensemble member and I react to the things said by Holly in a shocked way, this shows how what Holly is saying I think is wrong, this helps the scene as it shows the overall feeling of the group towards Holly's views. When rehearsing this scene this week I missed my cue, I came in late but managed to make it look purposeful as I said 'sorry I'm late' this made it seem to the audience that I was supposed to come in late, to make it seem more realistic. Hannah the Alpha group leader responded to this well as she gave me the look of acceptance.

Conclusion

To conclude the week before our show, I believe I did well with the act 4 and act 1 run, however I need to say my lines at a quicker speed as my scenes might become boring for the audience. I also need to learn what lines are before mine so there is not too long of a pause.