Show 2

Today was the start of a two show day, which means we have to warm up really well vocally and physically so we have energy for both shows today. It is important to give the same amount of energy for both shows regardless if one has less audience than the other. Another important factor that we needed to consider was the audience will be different each show. The audience won't laugh at the same jokes and won't have the same reactions for some moments. In this performance we didn't have a comedic reaction as we did on Monday night, this did throw some people off, however we need to adapt to the audience's reaction and never do the same thing each night. In this show we were able to control our adrenaline and nerves better so our performance and storytelling was more controlled. But because the audience energy wasn't the same everyone was inclined to think that our performance wasn't good, when we were telling the story clearly with direction and purpose.

In the opening, the bucket that had water in it was knocked over during the movement. The bucket was in a slightly different position which is probably why it got knocked over. Lizzie during Lockwood's speech walked off stage to refill it and it was fixed very easily. In these past two shows our company has demonstrated great skill to follow impulses when things go wrong on stage with props or technical problems. Something that we have been improving on through the dress and these past two shows is projection. Projection is something we struggled with in the tech and everyone has improved through doing a thorough vocal warm-up before we perform. Another thing thatI found helpful with projection is performing to all three sides of the stage so my voice travels to each person in the theatre. Before the show I did many resonance exercises to ensure when I project I don't strain my vocal cords as resonance allows your voice to project. I was thinking back to a lot of the voice work we did last year in Shakespeare term when performing outside as I learnt a lot about my vocal capabilities and how to effectively project.

During this show I found myself slipping into a self-critical mindset, which I think restricted me from fully submerging myself into the world of the play. I found myself not as in tune with Nelly, I didn't make as many new discoveries. I think I set myself really high expectations and I kept telling myself 'you need to perform even better than you did yesterday.' Self-motivation is great but it is something I really drill into myself and if I do any less than the high expectation I set myself, I've not done a good job. I have spoken about self-criticism a lot during this process and has been the main thing I have had to work on. During the interval I did have a conversation with myself on how performances cannot be compared as each performance is different. All I can do is tap into Nelly and immerse myself into the world of the play. As the self-criticism on stage is only going to steer me away further from my character. In Act 2 I found myself much more comfortable on stage and immersed into the world and I thought less about my performance and just more of what Nelly is going through and the intentions behind her lines and movements.

On Monday's performance Shakai and I missed our cue to go on stage for 'Seventeen' so we were late on stage and had to go through our movement much faster. To fix this today we just kept our focus on the wings and to look out for the pair to go on stage before us, and we were on time today. The lantern was not set in the right place again for Tash for scene 5 so she had to go on without one again, we are going to flag this to production as it has happened two nights in a row. Lina's commitment in today's show really showed, she has embodied Cathy at a younger age beautifully and the ageing of her through her scenes is so clear. Lina is an example of someone who is always immersed in the world of the play despite being soaking wet and drenched in mud, she keeps on going. Her chemistry with Marley also really shines in act one and establishes Cathy and Heathcliff's relationship so well, so that it contrasts with their relationship in act two.

All choreography that was put in place through intimacy training went accordingly and was all done safely. In the moments of particular sections as actors we might get the impulse to do something differently, however with intimate moments it is important for it all to be executed as rehearsed. Before each show we have also continued to check with each other so everyone feels safe and comfortable on stage with each other.

In act two we did have some problems with pacing, but was picked up really well by the company in scene 7 as there was such commitment to the extreme given circumstances the character's were facing. On Monday's show there were a few moments when Lizzie fell over when she was only supposed to be lightly pushed, so before the show we reworked these moments. And in today's show they were successful and Lizzie stayed on her feet as on Monday she spent a lot of the time falling to the ground. The show is constantly evolving and just because we are in show week doesn't mean some rehearsal elements stop as there are always small moments that need to altered, particularly physical moments. Sam and I continued to find new exchanges between us, and we are moving around the scenes more instead of just remaining in our seats. Particularly during tense moments we stand and watch together and close in on the action on stage. This also communicates to the audience that this is an important part of the story and brings their attention closer to the happenings on stage. Tash, Lizzie and I are much more confident with the chair choreography in scene 4. We are very close to the audience in this section, so last night was our first time doing it with an audience and we were quite hesitant as we didn't want to block the audience or hit them with a chair. But today we were comfortable with the staging today, as it was successful yesterday and there wasn't any hesitation.

As an ensemble we didn't think this show was as strong as last night's performance. However, was this just because we had a different audience reaction? I thought the pacing of this show was really great, however there were moments where it did drop and vocal diction and articulation was lost in moments. We have a very quick turnaround between this afternoon show and our evening show, as our costumes need to be washed and dried in under an hour. So when the show ended we had to very quickly get changed. It is vital in this break that we rested and ate food so we have enough energy for the final show tonight. We don't need to warm-up as much because our bodies are warm vocally and physically from the afternoon show. The energy and excitement for the final show is there and as an ensemble we feel very connected and ready for the final show.