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.
