Two

Starting off this project, we were all involved in an auditioning process to play different characters in the short play, Two by Jim Cartwright, we also had access to scripts since we only had a week to practice, I decided to play the Landlord to try out auditioning for one of the main characters. During the audition, I first had to read a monologue from the Landlord and then, a duet with someone else in the script but I had difficulty getting into character and I was trying to look at the panel while reading from the script which limited my ability to portray the character how I wanted to in the audition. After some discussion from the panel, I was then asked to read the old man monologue from the script which I tried to look up at the panel while speaking the monologue. After a day of deciding, the roles I was given were the Old man and Fred.

Script of Landlord monologue

I then had to do a text workshop with Spike about the old man character.  We started off by reading the entire scene, highlighting any changes to the script.

The text techniques that I used to help understand and breakdown the script and the two characters were intentions and events. Events helped me learn which changes I should be highlighting in my acting performance during rehearsals as the characters I play because seeing when an event takes places, I can split the script and see how the character acts before the change and how the scene and character reacts to that change. Knowing what the intentions of my characters are also gave me a greater understanding of the character I play because figuring out what each character wants in the scene helps to figure out which actions I should be showing and highlighting to the audience. 

After going through and breaking down my scene as the Old man with spike, i went through the process of learning my lines as Old man and then rehearsing my lines with Fru, we then sat down together and started talking about our performance and breaking down why we played Fred and Alice the way we did and how we think the characters relate to each other.

I was offered to be prop management which meant I had to look after any and all props and have them ready and lined them for the actors to use quickly in their performance. I have also added a list of all the props used and how much they cost, where they were from and when each prop was brought. I added a budget analysis sheet as well.

Crew Role: Props Management

Pre-Production: Collecting props that the Props manager has stated that he wants for the production and identifying where the props can be stored safely for all productions

During Production: Making sure that the props are placed on the props tables correctly so that actors can use them within the production

Post-Production: Placing the props back where they were from and making sure they are in the correct boxes in the prop's cupboard for the next year production

Notes: Making sure that all the props are processed and moving them from theatre to tent and back

Crew Role: Set Construction

Pre-Production: Helping to construct any set that the Set Manager has requested to be built and engaging positively when doing so.

During Production: N/A

Post-Production: Deconstruct any set that will not be needed for future use.

Crew Role: Set wrangler

Pre-Production: Identifying where the set is and making sure that the spike marks are on the floor so that set is in the correct space for the production, while also making sure that before the production set is safely moved from the theatre to the tent and back safely and keeping to the risk assessments

During Production:

Post-Production: Make sure that the set is put back in the correct spaces and dismantled and the set pieces are stored safely.

Making sure it's set on the stage and making sure it's going in and out of the theatre

 Crew Role: Costume Management

Pre-Production: Identifying where each costume for the characters is stored making sure that no items of clothing are lost or misplaced, also giving positive advice if the actor's need help when identifying how they need to dress

During Production: N/A

Post-Production: Making sure that items of clothing are stored away in the costume cupboard or if it is from the actor's making sure that they receive all their clothes back

Making sure that costumes are placed and put into a safe location making sure that they travel from the tent to the theatre

Crew Role: Glassware Management

Pre-Production: Cleaning out the glassware so that liquids can be consumed from within them

During Production: 

Post-Production: Cleaning out the glassware so that they can be used for another production, also disposing of damaged goods safely and keeping to the risk assessment's

Notes: Cleaning out the Beer Bottles and glasses between performances to make sure they are sterile and making sure they are in the correct place and making sure of the safe disposal of broken glass.

Crew Role: Sound Technician

Pre-Production: During Rehearsals, identifying where sound cues need to be.

During Production: During the performances, effectively implement sound cues when needed.

Post-Production:

List of Props

3 shot glasses

7 glasses

3 wine glasses

4 cans of come

3 becks bottles

2 bullseye brown bottles

Plastic tub

2 notepads

2 pens 

Shaker cup

Crisps

Cash register

Plastic cup

Straws

Wooden basket

4 bottles full of water

Water jug

Skull shot glass

4 bar towels

TV remote

6 coasters

2 bottles openers

Bell

Cloth

Walking stick

Hand bag

Purse

10p coin

5 pound bill

Bread wrapped in clingfilm

Toy train

Plush turtle

Risk Assessment

Fred and Alice text workshop and circles of attention

Rehearsal

Did old man scene without script

Used glass

First lighting rehearsal

Stood in front of curtains since they was no space 

Old man - Said my lines clearly and no stuttering, even drank from my glass with a straw

Fred - I made sure to stare up so it gives the illusion of our characters watching the tv. I then said my lines clearly but I still needed more volume so I tried projecting further.

Went through the Old man scene with Charlotte for create 25

I would be holding a coke can while speaking my lines and turning around to face different corners of the audience

First costume rehearsal

was able to wear sailor hat and shirt for old man

Was able to change into my costume for Fred by taking my shirt off, using my white t-shirt

Feedback -

Try not to swing my wheelchair and open the curtains

Project more

Look at Alice more

React to her lines

Did a rehearsal as Fred and Alice, make sure to watch Fru eat the crisps and try to rush her

Did a rehearsal run and drank water from the glass

Rehearsal run

Used good volume on both characters

Costume swap was successful in the backroom

Drank from the straw twice as the old man

Looked into Fru's eyes to show the love they have

Rehearsal

Volume and projection

One hour long

Bows were slow

Come out after Sam and Holyanne

Bow with Fru

Walk to bar

Bow twice

Applause

Bow

Feedback

Join the line of bows

Create 25 Festival

This was my first performance of Two in front of an audience. I only performed my scene as the Old Man to show a preview of the rest of the entire show. Starting off, I stood further back from Charlotte as she did her monologue and once I heard my cue, I went into the stage area and began performing my scene as she handed me a coke can to use as a glass since we didn't have access to the glasses.

I made sure to project my voice loudly since we were in a tent and there was still outside noise so I used more volume to project to the audience. After finishing my scene, I then walked off stage and let the other actors carry on with their scene. For feedback, I think I did a good job at slowing the pace down for my monologue to show how much the Old man cares for his wife that died and that he's at peace with everything in the world and dying. I do think I did a good job of turning around to face each corner of the audience and that I kept in character during the whole show but for what I could improve, I should work on how I use my body so leaning back in my chair and looking more relaxed to show how peaceful the Old Man is.

Show

Before the show, I had foundation and powder put over my face and then I put my glasses on after. I wore the sweater I have as the old man ontop of the t-shirt I wear as Fred and had the bowler hat on my head. I would then ask Faith to help with my costume change behind the curtains and to not go into the backroom. Once the show started, I then made my way to the corner of stage right behind the curtains to give everyone backstage space to get past me. After Charlotte finishes her monologue, I then get through the curtains by Faith and Phoebe opening them and I head on stage to start my scene. During my scene, I had to drink ice tea from a glass to give the illusion that my character is drinking beer and I wasn't a fan of the taste but I had to drink it anyway for the scene and finish off my monologue and leave the stage area.

For my feedback as the old man, I was able to look relaxed in my chair as I gave my monologue, using clear and loud projection so everyone in the audience could hear me. I also went slow in my monologue to not rush it and have the audience go along with my voice and the character. To improve, I do think I could have tried to put on an older voice but I wasn't sure I could do it with projection so I just went slower with my voice instead but for the future, I will learn how to put on an older voice and to use projection with the voice.

I then went backstage to change costume so I took off my hat and glasses and had Faith pull my sweater off and put my glasses back on which went smoothly but we had to be quiet since we weren't in the backroom.

I went back on stage to perform my Fred scene with Fru. In this scene, I made sure to look Fru in the eyes to show how much Fred really cares about Alice and that he wants to show her his love for her. I also tried to perform my scene as if I was at a pub, watching the TV with my wife, keeping her attention which helped me realise how the character was feeling. My teacher told my that my Fred scene was the best way I had performed it yet.

During my time backstage, I made sure to keep my voice as quiet as possible and to not bump into the curtains so that the audience isn't distracted from the main show on stage. I also had people backstage helping me get changed into my other costume and opening the curtains for me to get on stage. I also stayed in the top right corner backstage so that everyone had more space to get past and move around. 

To improve, I'll make sure that I'm able to get into the backroom without hitting anyone with the door backstage because for our first show, I opened the door and Charlotte bumped into it so I stayed behind the curtains and got changed there with Faith.