Initial ideas for our new project

Rehab deifition:

• The act or process of rehabilitating.
• Restoring a persons life to good health through therapy, and education.
• Restoring someone to good condition.
• A satisfactory state.
• Aiding an individual re-establish and rebuild their status and reputation.

Two characters:

Each individual has their own problems for example:

• Depression
• Alcohol addiction
• Drug abuse

Traits each character could have:

• Nervous
• Anxious
• In-denial
• Narcissistic
• Twitchy
• Calm
• Annoyed
• Impatient
• Short tempered
• Sarcastic
• Understanding

Reasons why problem is triggered could be because of a dysfunctional family, lifestyle/ friendship circles, grieve, or a life event?

Nature vs. Nurture?

Is a person the way they are because of their genetics (born that way)? Or their surroundings? 

Final Thoughts on the Project and 'Der Mischlinger'

Taking everything into consideration I very much enjoyed this play. After feeling deeply unmotivated by 'My Name Is Jones' and knowing we wouldn't have a lot of time (only three weeks) to come up with another play I was a little thrown off and nervous. However lack of time we had and the lack of desire I had for this project at first, I decided to put all that aside and work hard nonetheless. Also being able to work with a professional and experienced theatre director (Jon) was one of the main things that brought back my eagerness for this project.
The rehearsals were exhausting and a little slow at first but over time I got used to it. I especially enjoyed the warm ups as they were fun and definitely got me focused for the rest of the day.
I also learnt the significance of energy, enthusiasm, and concentration. A persons performance can definitely be determine by how much of the three they have in them.

With the play itself, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Initially, I did feel the story of it was a bit cliché but the way we portrayed it and performed it was definitely how I would have wanted it to be. It had elements of Artaud who I'm a huge fan of as well as physical, and ensemble work and the play surely ticked those boxes. I also loved the fact that the roles were evenly split between the group and everybody had their chance to shine, and each and every one of us had a huge significance to the show.

Overall, despite my negative attitude towards the show, I grew to absolutely love and enjoy it all. Well, not so much the pain it's caused my shoulders.

Scene By Scene Breakdown

Figures Of Stone

This was the opening of our play. This scene originates from a task we were given by Michael and Jon. The task was to split off in pairs and create 6 visual frozen images that represent struggle. I was paired with Liza and we helped each other think of 6 individual freeze frames each.

In the play, all the prisoners was scattered on stage, and off stage where the audience walks in just repeating the 6 image continuously with music in the background and Lea's monolgoue until all the audience settles down. The only two people who aren't doing this are Cassie and James who are the guards leading the audience in and often interacting with us prisoners and shouting. After the audience settles down the guards go to the back where the entrance is and get the other prisoners (Me, Sabrina, Shakira, and Dom) and takes them to the stage. All the prisoners are now on stage doing the 6 struggling/ anguish sequence. It stops when the music stops playing and Lucy and Liza recite a Samuel Beckett poem.

Man Struggle

During the poem we all start to get up and fetch everything around us and start building a memorial/ shrine that represent all our loved ones that have passed away. This was one of our newer scenes we made up the last week before the performance date. We all managed to go through the props cupboards and find things that seemed appropriate to add into the memorial. We experimented with it all and here are a couple of pictures I managed to take

The main props used for the scene were clothes, shoes, books, and tons and tons of rubble. 

In the performance we'd snap our of our struggle sequences and pick up anything around us on stage to create the memorial/ shrine. However, we had to do this slowly and in a remorseful manner whilst Lucy and Liza recite the Samuel Beckett war poem. The scene ends when everyone has put in their items and we then slowly walk off the stage apart from Lea, Liza, and Dom.

Trial Inquiry

Lea and Liza are stood behind the podium whilst Dom asks them questions. This was a pretty simple naturalistic scene that was from the text in the script. 

Retribution

This scene is another one of our ensemble scenes which involves all the characters. All the prisoners apart from Shakira are dragged on stage with a sense alertness and panic. Everyone then starts doing some sort of work in the yard. Meanwhile the guards walk around us observing, shouting, and sometimes hitting the prisoners. Shakira is behind the podium reciting her monologue about a loved one being killed. 

This scene was also one of the first few scenes that came about in the early days of this project. Initially Jon often made us do improvising activities. One of them was to fill in the space and get into a freeze frame. I stated the rest of the task in my previous blog. We stuck by it and added it into the play.

After Shakira's monologue we carry on doing yard work until James and Cass make us get up and run around in a circle. Most of us are struggling to keep up but Kate falls over and James hits her. Christina then decides to initiate the rebelling of the prisoners and we all join in and attack James and Cass. James then get's dragged off one wing while Cass gets dragged off the other.

Trial Belonging

During this scene Sabrina does her monologue while James and Cass drags all the prisoners (who are unconscious) into a gas chambers and then create a pile up of bodies one top of one another, scattered, all around stage. We worked on this scene quite a bit to ensure Cass and James remember where each person was in the pile and where they were specifically placed.

Also, after the pile up we had to reach out to find our loved one and get to them. I was paired with Rosie and we had a think of a way to get up and show the reaction of how prisoners would react when they realise they're in a gas chamber. It then turns into a huge battle to move around the cramped and overcrowded chambers.
We all struggle to move and breath while Me, Mario, Chris, and Makeda answer Lucy's question's about the prison, describing the prisons and gas chambers. However, mine, Mario's, Chris', and Makeda's voices are very robotic and also have sudden twitches and spasm. We also repeat each others words to show irregular thinking. This is to show and present the effects of everything they have done to us. While we all speak in this scene the other prisoners are still moving uncomfortably fighting for room to move and breath.  The scene ends with all of us moving around and finding the people we torture.

Torture
The title of this scene is self explanatory really. We all split into our pairs/ groups and do several freeze frame that resemble people torturing each other. This all happens during Dom, Cass', and James' scene where the guards are being interrogated and persecuted by Dom. The scene ends with Dom pushed Cass and James off their chairs and freeze. The rest of us go back to neutral and move to our space for the last scene.

Trial Beyond
Rosie, Christina, and Kate all go behind the podium and do their text. During their text we all undress ourselves and removed our clothing and reveal our plain black clothing which enhances the blank canvas and neutralness within ourselves. As Rosie repeats a line which gets louder and louder our repeated death scenes which is slow motion at first progressively increases it's pace to normal, and fast.

Long Is The Way And Hard
This is the final scene. A red light appears at the front of the stage and it all slowly grabs our attention. Suddenly we're all in a trance and stare into this light while we slowly move back into the black curtains and exit the stage backwards, going down on stage and dragging our upper body out backwards having our hands the last thing the audience sees.

Research Made During the Project

A lot of research was put into this project. It was important we had enough accurate research as the play we were doing was based on an a real life event that occurred in the past. During the first couple of days doing the project we were given research-related homework that help shape the play. We were given homework uch as finding out about concentration camps, torture methods, watch films and read books that relate to WW2.

The films I had on my list to watch were 'Inglorious Basterds' and 'The Pianist'. Rosie also showed me the ending of 'The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas'. Although Inglorious Basterds did not show an accurate portrayal of what happened in WW2 I learnt a lot from it. From how the Germans were incredibly strict, to how often people would try to hide and save the Jewish people.

Most of the research we all made as a class really helped and were put in the play.

Professional Drama Practice with Jonathan Grieve

This module will allow us and give us the opportunity to work with, experienced and freelance theatre director, Jonathan Grieve. We're going to have a series of 8 workshops in this module to experiment and challenge ourselves creatively and physically as an actor. I myself am excited as I enjoy being push to my limits, especially on the creative side of drama.
We started this module on the 30th of January and will have to perform on the 27th of February which puts pressure on us because of the lack of time we have. I, myself see this as motivation to work harder knowing we have little time to produce a play and don't want the pressure and stress from our last play to be brought back into this module.

I missed our first session with John on Monday due to pains on my left and right deltoids. I did hear a lot of physical work and activities were done and that a script Michael wrote was handed out. Therefore, I came to Uni on Tuesday prepared to work hard and to the best of my ability although I didn't have the right attire and my shoulders weren't fully healed I did as much as I could.
We started off the day doing a lot of physical games such as running around catching a ball. We also did some yoga to control our body and our muscles. We then proceeded on doing a concentration task that Michael did.. He'd throw a ball across a room and we'd al have to try and get to it but in slow motion. This was also another physical control challenge. However, once any of us would get near the ball Michael would throw it on the other side of the room and have to get to it again in slow motion and this would be ongoing for a long time. It was very challenging.
We then got into pairs and had to create strange and abstract postures that show us reaching for the ball but at the same time show struggle.

After the physical activities, we attempted to sing a song about patriotism which originates from Ireland but the context on the song is similar to the context of the play Michael wrote ('Der Mischlinger'). Once we worked on the song we did an activity that required us to improvise. We had guards and prisoners. The space was empty and we had to walk into the space in character doing whatever we thought was appropriate that represented our characters best into a freeze frame. We had to do this three times,

• First time: Guards authority over prisoners
• Second time: Prisoners rebelling
• Third time: Prisoners rebelling, guards on the verge of dying/ dead

John then said we should make a transition to each freeze frame, but in character. I thoroughly enjoyed this because I thought we came up with a very decent short scene that could potentially be used in a play to represent foreshadowing or something similar to that.

At the end of the session we all just sat down and discussed characters. I'm playing witness 9 in the play 'Der Mischlinger'.

#MyNameIsJones

After only having one run through on both days, I must admit, I was pretty nervous. Especially as both run through's could have gone better. But I do feel I did give my all in on both nights.
Having said that, our show did go pretty well despite the fact it was short. I was happy that we all in the end managed to work as a team and pulled through. The second day especially as we had less actors with us therefore minor changes were added.

Overall, I have to admit I was a little put off by the narrative of the play a little bit, and didn't think the whole play itself made sense but I'm happy with what we manage to create considering the problems and dilemma's we came across. On the other hand, I do feel that if we did have more time or even worked harder with the rehearsal time we were given, we would definitely be able to polish and enhance the play and even create additional scenes.

Before Showtime!

A lot of preparation before the show had to be done. We started off in the ArtsDepot at 8.30, moving all props and other necessities for the show into the van such as the blocks with wheels, the tables, and we also take apart the frame in order to move it into the truck and into The Bull theatre with ease.
Once we got to The Bull theatre our main aim was to assemble the frame once again but ensure that it's stable and safe. Mike and Nick added addition blocks and drilled them into the middle of the frame where it's been cut in half. Once the frame was finally up, we were all in charge of evening out the black sheet and plotting the holes that were cut into the sheet, to the holes in the frame. This resulted to everyone's holes in the frame being moved around therefore some holes had to be altered and stitched according to the person and how comfortable they were.
After sorting out the staging and lights we only managed to do one run through on both days which didn't go exceptionally well. Nick had to explain and even shout to make his points come across to us. He felt that some of us weren't focused enough and stressed that we need to put our all into this piece for us to believe it and properly get into the right state of mind to perform.

Preparation for the performance

Since my last blog about the rehearsal process of our play about each others identity, a lot of changes have occurred some of which I believe have enhanced the quality and the narrative of the play.

The Grid
The show begins with Shakalala entering the stage mysteriously. She observes the frame then proceeds to walk upstage centre and scream. She then walks to her block and table and rings a bell. This is the queue for the grid scene to begin. Music is played and we all enter and leave the stage and various times. When we do decide to enter the stage we must do movement, gestures, and actions that represent how we feel and the music being played. The different kinds of music being played are very versatile and all have different feels to them which makes it very interesting as to what actions can be achieved. This is all partially rehearsed but the majority of this scene is improved. Different levels and pace is essential to this scene as it needs dynamic to maintain energy. Facial expressions and noise is also significant. The scene ends with Lucy standing on the frame and all of us freeze and watch her, almost being captivated and mesmerised by her and the frame. We all then leave the stage and get into the frame, apart from Rosie, Mario, and Chris (who are now the main characters) ready for the next scene.

The Frame
Initially. the first scene consisted of a group of people in the frame questioning and interrogating Rosie (the bitch), Mario (afraid), and Chris (semi-detached) asking them questions related to our identity. After all the questions everyone in the frame would argue with one another until Cassandra and Tenda would shove oranges in their mouths to shut them up.

However, this all changed into Rosie, Mario, and Chris being the main characters of the play. Michael and Nick decided to remove them from the frame and into the front (upstage right) whilst all the other people who weren't in the frame at first were included into the frame, joining in with the others firing questions at the three main characters. Another change with this scene was removing the part were oranges were shoved into our mouths. Instead we were inspired by the quote "Put a sock in it!" and decided to have the three main characters shove socks in our mouths instead.

Running Scene
At first, James, Cassandra, Christina, and Liza were the three characters who did the running while, Mario, Tenda, Lucy, and Ruth were questioning them while they were running. This concept of this scene is similar to the frame as we're trying to find out more about them but by having them run at the same time it will create a sense of panic. Also, having them answering while they're not in the right state of mind would be uncomfortable for the audience to watch causing a feel of distress within the atmosphere.

The idea of this remained but having the questioners and runners was removed. The only runners were the main characters. Straight after they put the sock in our mouths we'd spit them out and the main characters would immediately start running. Certain people in the frame would fire questions at the runners while the others inside the frame would cackle, laugh, or mock them until they can no longer withstand it and eventually breakdown, falling to the ground.

Song
We first decided to have the old runners collapse on the floor while the questioners help them up. While this happens on stage, a line of people come out singing  a song about journey. The runners and questioners merge themselves into the lines and the ending of the scene is the transition to the next scene which is the ritual scene.

Due to everyone being in the frame already apart from the three main characters the song mainly takes place in the frame. Once the runners collapse, the people in the frame start mocking them which then leads into  harmonies being sung along with the song. As the song goes on people begin to remove themselves from the frame and move on stage still singing the song. The song ends once everyone is scattered around on stage while the three main characters are upstage centre with a blue light shinning at them. The ritual scene begins.

Shakalaka's Prediction/ Ritual Scene
We'd all be stood up scattered across the stage breaking through the fourth wall. Shakalaka would be reading out her prediction without Boom as Boom has been cut from the play. Music would be played and each of us would have our own actions that represent struggle and strain. Towards the end of of the scene some people would be screaming or laughing hysterically creating a sense of chaos representing our mental state of mind.

The first part it pretty much the same with Shakalaka reading her prediction without Boom. We'd all be stood around the stage in various levels and in different postures and positions. Once the music started we'd all be doing our own individual actions whether it's reaching our for something or just looking around manically. However, we'd be varying the pace of our movements and the use of levels such as standing up then collapsing on our knees etc etc. During all of this, the three main characters are still at the back, upstage centre.

"Forest" Scene
When we first added this scene into the play we had around six other people with their identities talking about themselves and talking/ mocking each other, similar to the frame and running scene.

However this changed. As the prediction and ritual scene draws to an end the three main characters leave the stage and go behind the frame ready for the next scene. At the end of the scene a black out occurs and everyone else runs to where the main characters were (upstage centre) in a tight and cramped formation staring and looking into the blue light.

The reason as to why the forest scene turned into it being revolved around the main characters is because it would make more sense and flow with the narrative of the play. It also allows the audience to analyse understand the relationship they all have with each other while the rest of us are frozen on stage. While we stare into the blue light Shakalaka puts a bad over us and gives us all a phone. As she does so, we try to protest but fail to fight against it and carry on staring at the blue light above us.
The scene ends with Rosie and Chris getting out of the frame. Rosie wearing a black sports bra and cycle shorts like the rest of the girls, and Chris in just his briefs. They enter the stage with an unusual, robotic, mechanical-like movement and stand in front of the frame. Mario see's this and is confused. This is the first representation of the two of the three main characters turning into the rest of us. Turning into "Jones".

Labelling Scene
From the very beginning we had Chris and Lucy being the models that get written with words that are stereotypically being perceived as the perfect human being. Initially, James and Mario would be the scientists in charge of Lucy, and Rosie and Kate would be in charge of Chris. This then changed to Me and Sabrina being the scientists writing on Chris' body.

The alteration we made in this scene is very different our first idea. However, the notion of this scene was still the same. Having Rosie and Chris being the two models made more sense as their transformation of them being 'Jones' can gradually be shown. Rosie and Chris move to the centre stage beside each other. Shakalaka sticks bits of paper on them with words that are the opposite of our identities. Words that basically portray the perfect human being.
During all this is going on, everyone else with masks on their heads stand at the back across the stage on our phones just typing into them. Mario, who's still in the frame, is confused and panics because he's by himself. This reinforces and emphasises on his identity, 'Afraid'. The only sound this scene should be the others tapping away on their phones and Mario shouting and trying to get Chris and Rosie's attention.
Once Shakalaka labels the two models she chants some lines which we all repeat in unison. As we do so, she leaves the stage and everyone else walks forward and chants the lines towards to the audience. Rosie and Chris also join in with us. We all then walk off stage together. This suggests finalisation of Rosie and Chris finally adapting to their identity of 'Jones'.

The Ending
We never really figured out an ending of the play until we made the new changes and revamped the whole play, especially the 'Labelling Scene'.

The ending has all of us in the frame with Mario who is still bewildered and is in a disorientated stage of mind. Rosie and Chris however aren't in the frame. We all then individually then disregard our identity and claim we're 'Jones' but speak monotonically, and robot-like. For example, my identity was 'Sarcastic' therefore I would say "I am not sarcastic, my name is Jones".
However, Mario instead says "My name is Mario". The play then ends.