Physical Theatre-Ellie

Hey gang...
So I found this video by frantic assembly based on physical theatre. It's quite weird but it's really interesting how the man dominates and controls the woman. I know sometimes we struggle a bit with physical stuff so this may be a sprinkle of inspiration! I thought we could use it in a later scene.

Ellie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8wKXrdzIto

The Magdalene Sister's- Idea...Beth

Hey,
I've had another idea... I'm not sure if you've seen the film 'the Magdalene sisters' or heard of the Magdalene laundries but these places were catholic institutions for women, where they were sent for committing 'sins'. However, these so called sins were for things like being raped by their own cousin or for even looking/talking to guys and for having babies out of wedlock. The women's  fathers would give them consent to be taken there where they were forced to work like slaves and be humiliated by the nuns. This I believe shows the ultimate power of men to the point where the women have no say in the matter and are literally deemed insane.

Please watch the film, it's a really good insight into how women were treated (and although the film is based in the 60's, it still a good idea of how things were). The last laundry was closed in 1993, meaning women were still subjected to horrific abuse and controlled by men for a very long time!

I think this sort of concept contrasts very well with the modern women we are playing. But let me know what you think.
Just an idea :)

Article based on a girls night out- Beth :)

Hey guys,
Found this article, I think it has some really nice quotes that we could use in our piece. It looks at girls on a night out and how they perceive themselves and what guys think also.

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2067391/Why-DO-young-women-dressed-like-We-meet-nightclubbers-unsettling-answer.html

I think this quote would suit Liberty's character:
‘I like getting male attention. If I didn’t, I would think: “What’s  wrong?” ’ she says. ‘It’s quite a nice feeling. It makes you more confident. Guys smile at you, wink, whistle, try to chat you up.’

And these quote I think will suit myself, Ellie and Nicole when we transform into our male characters:


‘It’s a certain sort of women who dresses that way — easy chicks,’ he says. ‘They’re definitely not a long-term prospect because they are easy.’ In many cases, that sexist view may well be crass and unjustified. After all, shouldn’t women be free to dress as they please without being judged? But whatever their motivation for dressing as they do, there is no escaping how the micro-skirted mob are perceived by men.

'As the evening goes on, the alcohol flows and the pairings start to happen. Catfights break out, with competing tribes of girls shouting ‘slag!’ at each other from opposite sides of the street.

It comes as little surprise to discover that the more the women dress like strippers, the more men treat them that way. Among the men we spoke to, one described the women out on the town as ‘eye candy for free’ — and a chance to ‘window shop’.

Toby Harris, 29, a project manager from London, says he likes women dressing in barely-there clothes ‘because you get to think whether you want to sleep with them later’.

Anyway, let me know what you think :)

Getitng somewhere woo! It's Nicole :)

In todays lesson me and Ellie worked on that stair sequence that we did a while ago, we developed it further and have started to come up with new ideas. About women through the ages finding their voice to speak up over domestic or male abuse. I wrote a script to carry on for next lesson. Let me know what you think.

Devised Piece

 

Ellie and Nicole are on the stair case that is central back of the stage, they are sitting towards stage right side and the left side of the staircase has various cooking books and neatly folded shirts on it. Both Ellie and Nicole look straight out into the audience with an extremely fake and almost scary smile on their face, both hands are resting on their knees which a closed together. When speaking as the women they have an overly enthusiastic and sweet tone to their voice.

 

Ellie: I went to the shops today!

Nicole: Got you’re favourite- Apple Pie!

Ellie: Apple Crumble!

Nicole: With ice cream!

Ellie: With custard!

Both: Or both!

Nicole: Oh and I cleaned your shirts with that fabric softener you like.

Ellie: All steamed and pressed- just the way you like it.

 

Dread comes over Nicole’s face and Ellie has aggression. There is silence for a moment.

 

Nicole: I know how you like that- Meanwhile Ellie has transformed to the male character and her hand creeps down to Nicole’s chest.

 

Nicole: Not now brushes him away and slides over to the left of the staircase picking up the shirts that were there and patting away any creases on her lap.

 

Nicole: I polished the house from tip to toe!

Ellie: Oh and I made you a coffee and walnut cake.

Both: MMM yum yum!

Ellie: Just for you sweet heart!

Nicole: Just for you!

 

Ellie adapts male character again and pulls my chin so my head is twisted towards her.

 

Ellie: Just for me…

 

Nicole: I said no. Not now. Moves toward the right side of the staircase while she pushes him away.

 

Ellie: Oh put the shopping away! Pushes Nicole forward and then flicks out her arms to mimic the carrying of shopping.

 

Nicole: I’m sorry I love you …

 

Ellie: Forcefully grabbing her by the hair pulls her back up straight. Stupid Biiittcchh shouts and throws Nicole to the floor.

 

 When she then crawls onto the bed to change the time period.

Nicole/Cheryl, Ellie/Sarah, Liberty/Lily, Beth/Lisa.

Liberty and Beth are off stage left. The group of four  young women from modern day are preparing themselves for an evening out they are 19- 21 years of age the same age as the women from the 1950’s opening scene.

 

Cheryl is on the floor hunting under the mattress for her GHD’s while Sarah sits on the stairs texting she is relaxed and not worried about getting ready like the others.

 

Cheryl: Oh fuckty fucking fuck! Where the flip are they, I deffo brought them.

 

Sarah: Doesn’t look up from her phone. Hmm Are you sure- I know what you’re like.

 

Cheryl: Oi Lily! Calls to the offstage bathroom I deffo put my GHD’s in my bag didn’t I??

 

Lily enters from stage left looking very glam and ready for her evening out she has a smirk on her face and in her right hand holds the GHD’s.

 

Lily: (mimics Cheryl) You deffo did! Thanks babe.

 

Hands over the GHD’s.

 

Cheryl: Bloody hell! You look fricking insane. On the pull tonight are we??

 

Lily: With a cheeky smile Mayyyybbee. She turns to sit with Sarah on the stairs who is still distracted with her phone.

 

Lisa enters from stage left too with a towel wrapped around her head and a bath robe on.

 

Lisa: Who knows what the night will bring!

 

Cheryl:  Distressed with a comb daggling in her hair. Someone seriously needs to help me tackle this bush.

 

Lisa: Oh Cheryl it looks fine embrace the bush.

 

Lily: You lot need to get a move on I’m not sitting her for another three hours.

 

Cheryl: Well someone get this bloody comb out of my hair then!?

 

Cheryl grabs Lisa by the arm and they go over to the mattress and attempt to tackle the ‘bush’ Sarah ignores this still amused by her phone. Silence for a moment apart from the occasional ‘ouch’ from Cheryl and ‘sorry’ from Lisa.

 

Lily looks directly at Sarah in amazement.

 

Lily: Sarah…Sarah… SARAH! It’s nearly quarter to eleven the taxi is going to be here at eleven-

 

Sarah’s phone starts ringing.

 

Sarah:  Oh my god he’s ringing me! Shit. What should I do- shall I answer it? What if-what if I don’t know what to say to him?

 

Lily: Sarah- look at the (gets angrier each time)

 

Cheryl: There can’t be much else you can say to him. You haven’t stopped texting him all night!

 

Lily: Sarah.

 

Sarah: Uhh! What should I do?

 

Lily: Sarah. Taxi. 5 MINS.

 

Lisa: Just answer it Sarah.

 

Lily: HEELLLLOO. You need to get ready.

 

Sarah: But what if I say something stupid- I’m not very good at- at speaking.

 

Cheryl: Chill out Sez… Give it here I’ll answer.

 

Sarah goes to hand the phone over to Cheryl as she’s confused and flustered with the whole situation.

 

Lisa & Lily: NO!

 

 Lily pulls the phone away from Sarah and presses the red phone so the ring tone ends sharply. She pulls a victorious face and chucks the phone on the mattress. The girls look at her in shock whilst Sarah lets out a little hurt gasp.

 

Lily: There. Problem solved. Now will you pleaaase get ready!

 

Sarah: I can’t believe you just did that- gooohh! He’s going to hate me now; he’s going to think that I’m ignoring him. You could’ve at least waited for it to go to voicemail, that was my plan-

 

Cheryl is putting on some killer heels a chucking back vodka shot.

 

Lily: Oh give it a rest Sez you acting like a love struck teenager

 

Sarah:  giggling slightly Shut up!

 

Lily: He’s probably only after a shag anyway.

 

Sarah is hurt by this comment and turns away from Lily.

 

Sarah: No he isn’t.

 

Lisa: Just chilllll… the night is young and so are we!

 

Cheryl: YEAH! Let’s PARTAAAYY!!

 

Cheryl and Sarah exit of stage and call out vulgar comments to the dressed up girls, who gradually as the musical become louder, become increasingly more drunk and unaware of their behaviour. Physical theatre evolves us into this transition eventually back to a 1950’s housewife scene.  They remain collapsed on the floor throughout the 1950’s scene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Nicole :) Ideas??

Next lesson I will bring in some research on domestic abuse or women prisons as I think this could be an idea that could link with our old grannies and role of women, it could also be quite dramatic! Excited! I'll post the research on here tomorrow so you can have a look also :) xx

 

Nicole's wedding scene script as a response to stimulus 4 & 5.

Hello it's Nicole :) here's the script that we used today but before this scene we started with a scene in a Bridal shop with Bernadette, Sandra her best friend and the overly enthusastic American sales advisor. Here Bernadette slips up when she speak of Dave (Sandra's current boyfriend but Bernadette's only love) instead of her fiance Robert. We then transitioned into Bernadette's past form a head roll and arm swoop to be sitting at the dinner table with a ten year old 'Benry'. Mother and Father's relationship is dead there is no communication within the family. Until Sandra arrives at Berny's house in hope to play a stuck up and strict Kate (Mother) says no but allows Sandra to sit at the dinner table with them until Benry finished her diner. The excitable pair speak in their own childish language that they have clearly made up just so they can understand. This causes distress to the parent and agrivation to Benry's grumpy father especially, until Kate has to demand that the speak properly at the dinner table. "Can you pass the salt please" Is said in unison by the children and transitions Liberty and myself into Chantelle and Marcus Essex hairdressers, who attend to Berny and Sandra's prom hair, here Sandra tells the hairdressers and the audience that her date is called 'Dave' this is the same 'Dave' who in present day Sandra is now with but Bernadette still has not got over and there is the possible notion that Bernadette is having an affair with him. This then transforms into the script that I wrote:

Drama script-

 

A plump jolly cockney male greets the bride, the bride’s mother and the maid of honour. He takes each lady’s hand and helps them into the vintage Rolls Royce.   

 

Driver: Gooday Miss! Ah you look smashing miss if I may say so-well you all do! Smashing! Absolutely smashing! Here we go make yourself comfortable there’s some champers in the hamper.

 

Bernadette: smiles graciously and calls round to the driver Ah thank you so much. The car is beautiful. She sits back and after a moment silence takes a deep breath as a sombre expression fills her face.

 

Mother: Inspects the Roll Royce  Hmm it will do I suppose. Not exactly what I would call a vintage Rolls Royce- gives the driver a glare then turns her focus to her daughter and in a non caring spiteful tone  but as long as it meets your standards Bernadette.

 

Bernadette smiles and meekly and nods.

 

Sandra: she squeaks Excited!? Doesn’t wait for a reply  Oh I can’t wait for this Berny you just look so beautiful and grown up and oh when Rob sees you… day dreams for a moment.

 

Mother: Yes it will be a surprise for Robert I’m sure. It shall make a pleasant change. He’s used to seeing her dressed in those God awful tracksuit bottoms tuts in disgrace you could make more of an effort now and then Bernadette you know- he surely cannot find that bird nest hairstyle of yours attractive-

 

Sandra: snappy and angry He obviously does Kate otherwise they wouldn’t be getting married now-would they? Smiles sarcastically Kate looks away and sticks her nose up in the air.

 

Sandra rolls her eyes but Bernadette remains completely still and quiet.

 

Awkward silence.

 

Driver: Er shall I put some tunes on missus you know to get you into the party spirit- we’ve got a bit of current stuff if that’s what you like , like that Nicki Minerrg, I quite like that stuff-

 

Mother: Oh Goodness- no!

& Sandra : yeaaaahhh! Nudges Bernadette with a cheeky grin.

 

Driver: Me grand kids blast it out of the blooming stereo 24/7 they do! Or if you prefer we can go mellow with Michael Buble or even some instrumental music. Whatever you fancy love it’s your special day!?

 

Bernadette looks up for the first time and smiles sweetly.

 

Bernadette: Some Michael Buble would be lovely. Thank you.

 

Mother: You can’t beat classical Bernadette-

 

Sandra: Oh Berny! I can’t wait to see his face he won’t be able to control himself! Hehehe… I can’t wait for this to happen for me and Dave… day dreams for a moment like a love struck teenager  It’s so funny how things work out isn’t it? I always thought you two would be together forever when were teens- back in the day! Thinks for a moment You went with him to prom didn’t you? Ahaha! Now it’s me and Dave. Oh God you know I can really remember feeling bad when I first went out on a date with him- even though it was donkey’s years after you and him but- but still! Anyway you and Rob are perfect for each other!

 

Mother: Well Rob is perfect-

 

Bernadette: No he isn’t.

 

Mother &

Sandra: What?

 

Silence.

 

Driver: Aww don’t worry love you’re nervous- wedding jitters you’re having that’s all. Plenty of states I’ve seen from you girls on you’re wedding days- perfectly norm-

 

Mother: Bernadette. What is wrong with you? Robert is fine gentlemen. To be quite honest I do not know how you won his heart.

 

Sandra: Aggressive Ohh fuck off will you Kate! Just leave her alone.

 

Everyone turns into Sandra apart from Bernadette who stands up in the centre of the car. Everyone edges in towards her to reassure her and hold her hand or hug.

 

ALL Sandra’s: Berny. What’s wrong… you’ve been so quiet the whole journey? You don’t need to worry; everything is going to be fine.

 

Silence for a moment. Bernadette looks up shaken and tear filled.

 

Bernadette: He isn’t perfect. Well not for me anyway. Silent for a moment and slowly looks up I’m so sorry Sandra. But I don’t love Rob… I love Dave, I always have, always will. It’s always going to be Dave.

 

Original Sandra: Shocked  Dave? You. You love Dave.

 

ALL: start walking around manically developing different characters voices questioning and excitable and angrily, even the Essex accent. DAVE  dave  you want dave/ Oh my gawd Dave shut up Dave. Really Dave? My mate Dave. I like Dave. I love Dave. You want Dave.

 

Building up getting louder and crazier Bernadette shrinking down putting her hands on her eyes sinking lower amongst the clump until she reaches her chair. The group surrounds her.

 

Cue to stop when original Sandra shouts loudly and angrily.

 

Sandra: No! Push and throw her off her chair everyone. Silence for a moment. Sandra shakes her head violently No. Dave is mine.

Overview of todays work and strengths about previous works. It's Nicole by the way :)

Overview of today's work.

After looking at our final Inital Material which was 'The Underground Lovers' we discovered how it focused on the breakdown in communication but this time through people rather than through technology, which is what some of the previous stimulus such as the video interview had focused on before. Therefore, we decided to combine some of our past short drama sections to led us into a wedding car scene. This thought was triggered by our short piece that spiralled from the video interview where we incorporated a car accident, we used this same sort of physical work to transform into the travelling scene to the wedding, that results in almost a metaphorical car crash when the character Bernadette can no longer act controlled and collected about her lvoe for another.

I really enjoyed playing different characters during today's work, I particularly found the Essex hairdressers to be entertaining and comical for our audience, however we then had a good contrast of serious drama when we transitioned in the wedding car scene. I also found that our abstract transitions in between each small section made the piece alot more interesting and made the performance appear more professional. However I feel we need be alot committied to those particular moments for them to be really effective. For example: when all the wedding characters were shouting and panicking this needed to have more volume and a greater sense of talking over the top of each other for the audience to notice who immediately clashes- such as Sandra and Kate (Bernadette's mother).

Strengths about previous works that responded to different stimuli.

-Initial Material 1 'I tried to find my voice' poem.
 I felt the Brechten device of actors as props was effective as we then developed this idea further by actually characterising the objects to have dialogue, which created a sense of absurd theatre. This random action made the work engaging. It could also connect with many of our othe pieces linking to the breakdown in communication.

-Initial Material 2 'Overspill' the play.
POSSIBLE idea that could be furthered. We looked at how the characters in the play all seemed to come from the same community. This made us think about differetn types of people and how they socialize, giving us the idea to embodie three female best friends who were old grannies. This could also be developed and linked to a later idea of 'Women's Rights' as we could look at going through the generations and noticing how women eventually gained a voice. Another feature I liked about this short piece was the style of diaolgue which was inspired by 'Overspill' we used repetition alot to show our group of characters indecisiveness over a silly topic of a choice of biscuits, which created humour.
LINK...
This short piece triggered us into a very short but physical sequence that looked at the 'Role of Women' in the 1950's- 60's which was going back to the group of old gals youth. We incorporated the stairs which I felt was a really powerful technique as it demonstrated status. Each actor started by sitting in a mechanic almost robotic way to show the control and hold men had over women. All short dialogue emphasised how each women's life revolved around domestic work or simply pleasing her husband. The use of multi roling here, especially well Ellie hunched over me and embodied a male physique to demand 'Put the shopping away' in a agressive tone represented how women were regarded as weak clearly and quickly. This piece of theatre was short but sleek and I liked that about it.

-Intial Material 3Video Interview.
We based this work on a fault in communication between people understanding each other e.g. the youths and governement  and also the faliure of communication between the emergency services during the London Riots, who were not as quick as they should have been to react, which caused alot more damage for the community emotionally and physically. A signifcant moment where this dismissive attitude was shown towards youths was when Ellie's teenage character was in need of a 999 service to help some people and she was not taken seriously, communication broke down which caused frustuation for the honest teen. This was changed in the first script I wrote as at first Ellie's character was a middle aged woman, but it was suggested we emphasis the lack of time and understanding the government have towards youths. This was influenced by a male on the video talking of how 'there is nothing for the youths of today' meaning youths are deprieved by not having the opportunities now. I didn't really like our story line here, it lacked in its structure and I also found hard to think of original and different ideas to spring from the video stimulus. It was all very plain and uncreative apart from the sudden car crash, which seemed to have a good impact on the audience. It was not only effective through physicality of renacting the crash but the dialogue 'Look out!' made it seem so much more dramatic through the high pitched vocals and the quick tempo.

Thanks gang! Let me know what you like or dislike or think could link with different ideas we've had :) xx