1 ) What important discoveries were made during the rehearsal?
Within today's rehearsal, our aims were to complete a full run through- in particular re-rehearsing the first suicide scene (as we need to ensure that both me and George felt comfortable and safe/ rehearsed enough with the lifting and fall). We also needed to specifically focus on the bingo scene as this completely fell apart during the last rehearsal (the singing was out of the time and there was confusion with the movement e.g where to place the cards).
Alongside the performance aspects, we also had to take into consideration the technical aspects involved e.g sound and lighting effects. There was also the issues with costumes and props- we had to make back up plans and arrangements incase our orders didn't arrive in time for Monday!
2 ) What led to those discoveries?
When rehearsing through the suicide scene, we realised there may be difficulties with costume- I have to climb over the railing whilst wearing a maxi dress! To solve this issue we decided that I would wear a shorter version of the dress ( which enables me to move easily over the barrier) whilst Nicole wears the longer version - to represent that she is the 'voice inside my head' whilst she reads the suicide poem. There is a section straight after where neither if us is needed - which gives us the chance to change dresses.
The run was also helpful in clarifying complications in the bingo scene. The bingo scene represents the 'bargaining (five stages of grief)- here we use the idea of bingo cards to symbolise the 'magic' bringing Hero back to life. Previously we had practised just miming the cards (alongside various other props e.g. The walking sticks, fans etc.) therefore it was useful to walk this through slowly so that we could work out transitions and clearly understand where we are placing each prop.
3 ) Towards where do those discoveries lead?
Now that we have re-rehearsed these specific scenes and re-allocated responsibilities for buying props/ costume, we are ready and prepared for our technical rehearsal tomorrow.
4 ) Consider questions No. 1-3 except focus on important roadblocks/dead ends.
The roadblocks/dead ends would be turning up tomorrow unprepared (without learning script or looking back through the notes for our complicated backstage stories - where we should be between scenes and when!). It would also hold us back if we were to forget our lighting/ sound effects (and cues) as we may not be able to create the exact look we wanted otherwise!
5 ) Reflect on dramatic action and conflict. How’s it going? What actions does this suggest?
Within the suicide scene I discovered that moments of silence, pause, and heavy breath are much more effective- it shows the difficulty in Hero's decision (and strength it takes) to kill herself- and also her pain/ this is her last resort. I have been reading through suicide notes I have found online which I will use as an internal monologue- helping me to understand her thoughts and feelings before the suicide- what are her worries/ fears? How does she feel about leaving Claudio?
Some quotes include:
“Its so hard to talk when you want to kill yourself. That's above and beyond everything else, and it's not a mental complaint-it's a physical thing, like it's physically hard to open your mouth and make the words come out. They don't come out smooth and in conjunction with your brain the way normal people's words do; they come out in chunks as if from a crushed-ice dispenser; you stumble on them as they gather behind your lower lip. So you just keep quiet.”
The last fading emotion I felt before I lost consciousness was an overwhelming sense of euphoria. Just the thought that everything was fading away made me feel peaceful and melancholic.
(This reminds me of the stillness/ breath and throw back of arms just before sliding down the barrier- as if I'm finally happy of the release, and to be falling away from the life that made me unhappy).
Alongside these quotes, I am able to react to the poem being read, channelling the words into my own emotions and thoughts.
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