Run through of Act 1 and some of Act 2

Today we ran through the whole of Act 1 and part of Act 2. We had a simple version of the box that we were using for our set, which consisted of three wooden beams hinged together. It was quite difficult to get used to this as we are used to being able to use the whole space. It was challenging to have to manoeuvre around the box and to remember that it is there. It was confusing as there are so many changes with the box that I found it difficult to remember what was what. However having the box there was useful as it got as used to having a box in the middle of our space.

We reworked a couple of my scenes. With the Alpha course scene the setting of the chairs has changed so that they are in a V shape, with everyone facing the front. We looked out to the audience as if they were part of the course. This visually looks interesting and also engages the audience within the scene. The scene felt much more natural doing it today, which was weird as the staging of it is so abstract. I felt more natural as I knew my lines better and I felt more confident in my character.

Another scene that was reworked was the scene with the Sir Christopher’s. The scene now takes place within Ruth’s office on the scaffolding. As soon as we took the scene up there it flowed, it was a lot more natural and it felt right. It also opened it up, whereas before, having it in the box made it feel quite closed off and more of a private type of scene. I found myself more comfortable in my character within that scene, as sitting down in a chair felt like a very natural thing for my character to do. The proxemics of me, Rachel and Katie (Leah, Martha and Carol) to Nora, Sacha, Jack and Phoebe (Sir Christopher’s, Dennis and Ruth) created a deeper story. It clearly showed the hierarchy within the meeting, as me, Rachel and Katie were sitting on stage left and the others were sitting or standing on stage right.

Running through the scenes today made the play look a lot more dynamic and I could see more of a narrative occurring. Before it was just a lot of little scenes, now it seems like one narrative with interlinking scenes. I feel a lot more confident about the play after today’s rehearsal as I can see the basis for a great performance. 

Review of 13 Rehersals

I feel that the rehearsals so far are going well, in that we are getting through a lot of scenes. But at the moment I don’t feel like there is enough detail within the scenes. Also lines are an issue, and I feel like everyone, including myself, needs to know their lines and cues better. The focus could be higher, but I feel like as an ensemble we are working well together and that we are all equally as excited for the play and its meanings. At the moment the play does not flow, it feels like a lot of little scenes put together, so this is something we need to work on. Now that we have got through all of the scenes we can start to put in the little details and practice the whole play (so we can get a better, more thorough understanding of 13).

The set looks very impressive and mirrors our interpretation of the play well, but I am worried about how complicated it may be. With practice I think the set will support us well with conveying the themes and meanings within 13.

The costumes mix with 13 perfectly; they are all very simple and natural looking. This means they won’t detract any attention away from the play but will add something to it.

So far I feel that rehearsals are good but they could be better. We have a great base for our play and I think we will all add in our own little details to make it better. I am very excited to see where we take this production next.

My movements throughout 13 so far

Act 1

Scene 1:

Scene 2:

1. No props
2. Outside an airport
3. Jeans and a t-shirt
4. An aeroplane from Turkey
5. Going home
6. To leave
7. I am searching
8. Entrance from D, exit C

Scene 3:

Scene 4:

1. Clipboard, paper and pen
2. Ruth’s office
3. Suit
4. Come from a meeting
5. Going to Ruth’s office
6. To finish working
7. To work
8. NOT KNOWN YET

Scene 5:

Scene 6:

Scene 7:

Scene 8:

Scene 9:

Scene 10:

Scene 11:

Scene 12:

1. No props
2. Church hall, chairs in a semi circle
3. Jeans and a jumper
4. I came from my house
5. After alpha course I am going to Tesco
6. To learn
7. To listen
8. NOT KNOWN YET

Scene 13

Scene 14

Scene 15

Scene 16

Scene 17

Scene 18

Act 2

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Scene 5

Scene 6:

1. Mobile phone
2. A park
3. Suit
4. Come from my lunch break
5. Going back to work
6. To go back to work
7. To listen
8. Enter from A, exit D

Scene 7:

1. Clipboard and pen
2. Meeting room
3. Suit
4. Come from my office
5. Going to the meeting
6. To advise Ruth
7. To listen and take notes
8. Enter from C and put down flaps of box and enter through box door, put flaps of box back up and exit through box then C

Scene 8

Scene 9

Scene 10

Scene 11:

1. No props
2. A park
3. Jeans and a t-shirt
4. I’ve come from my house
5. Going to work
6. To understand John’s opinion
7. To listen
8. Enter from A, exit B

Scene 12

Scene 13

Act 3

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4:

1. No props
2. A park
3. Jeans and a t-shirt
4. Come from my house
5. Going back home
6. To watch John
7. To listen
8. Enter from B, exit B

Scene 5

Scene 6

Scene 7

Scene 8

Act 4