Gradually Approaching the Curtain Call

Generally speaking, the practice for the performance is unexpectedly fluent and as a group, we have achieved what we aimed for in each step. During the classes in the Black Box, our group well utilized our time to improve and stage our performance. Videoing the first draft gave us the confidence that after fixing some little problems and use other props in the final draft, our performance can be perfect. Sofia can undoubtedly show Rose’s emotion and her personality to the audience and Olivia can give a new impression of the King to others by substituting her real emotion and some personality into this character.  Sofia, especially, helped me to shape how I should read different lines specifically with the attitude of awkwardness. I like how we planned the movement and action during the fox scene in which I first pretended I can’t see Cherrie at first and during Cherrie’s speech of how to tame her, we both gradually stand closer until “I” eventually leave her ruthlessly. The only part of the performance that I don’t quite get it is the several occasions when we start to dance with modern songs. However, it indeed make the play more lively and relaxed. I personally feel that by doing those action, a kind of unexplainable joy could be sent to the audience even though the play is not a comedy.  

During the first draft of the play, our group did not really has a plan, with detail, of how we would act when the music started. As it turned out, those parts of performance was kind of in a small chaos. Thankfully, now we have regulated and changed our actions in those three parts. Hopefully, Oiliva, Cherrie and I won’t forget our lines during the final recording. In the rest of time, I definitely need to practice recording my lines. This task of memorization was not that hard since most of the time, I just need to give an natural and simple response to other’s actions and words. I ought to work more on my delivery of lines and the volume of speaking. Besides, I noticed that I need to face the audience more as I went through the video of my first draft. At least, my body and face should not completely face towards the characters that I am talking to.

In Julie’s group, I like their idea of letting James stay behind the stage and act as Madame Sofronie. His voice changed dramatically and the sound really let the audience visualize the appearance of an old and mean lady in their mind. In Ben’s group, they are quite creative in setting this story as their performance. The first flashback was kind of confusing as the scene suddenly changed while Jamai was supposed to be still in the scene of the show. However, as the play progressed, I can easily realize that there were several flashback. However, I did not see the clear connection between the flashbacks and Jamai being in the show.