Scene Work

In today’s rehearsal we started to block the scenes, although this isn’t a detailed exploration of the scene but a chance to work out what is happening in the scenes and to get the core of the scenes solid so that later we can go into further detail.

Conventionally we started at the top of the play with the opening and how we can set the mood of the play and draw the audience in straight away. I think that it is really important to have a strong, gripping opening of a play as this is the first impression the audience get off the play and immediately the either really gage in or out of the story. Also the opening sets the energy of the play for the actors and the drive of the scenes, so it’s hugely important to set a really strong energy and pace for the play so that each following scene can ride off of that energy and continue to build throughout the play.

The opening of the play is based on the previously mentioned improvisation that we did with the convicts on the ship and them being contained. However we developed this so that each convict was brought on from different exits and put into the containing area with the guards walking around and working with this improvisation of suppressing and controlling them. I thought that this preset is really effective as it sets the upcoming scene and gives the audience background to the play. I feel that bringing the convicts on from all different areas metaphorically shows how they have come from different backgrounds, parts of different and done different crimes but all are forced together in another world in Australia. Combining this with the guards in a square around the convicts could show their entrapment and how they have been put into prison.

The small movements from the guards like prodding the convicts or pushing their heads down and how the convicts react with fear to that, I think shows the potential violence that face the convicts and the power and status that the guards hold over the convicts. It could also make the audience question whether the guards enjoy this power and whether they go too far with inflicting this pain on them. I think that this is really important to have because immediately we are making the audience think and engage with what we are presenting to them and making them question the morality of it all.

Scene 3 – My Personal Notes

• Outside à have to think about the given circumstances constantly. We are setting the scene and telling the audience where we are and what we are doing through our physicality and movement. à Have to consider the Australian environment, the climate and heat of the place – believe in the place and given circumstances.
• Out shooting for the birds à effects the way that we are moving – slowly and quietly as not to scare the birds. – Always looking around and searching the sky for the birds.
• When talking/saying lines turn your head to include all of audience (3 sides) and to make sure that the other characters are listening à power and status and making sure that your opinions are being heard.
• Always be considering status à don’t leave stage until Molly has leave – how we talk and walk as status is so important to the characters and society
• Work and explore the Laban efforts in the scene to get to feel what works and feels natural for the character within the context of the scene
• Remember that large decisions are being made – the words that we are saying have a huge impact on other people lives – hanging - explore whether we care or understand the impact or force of out words.
• Moment of humanity when we see the kankaroo à show a softer side to the characters and makes audience question whether they are able to understand what they are doing and whether they feel regret or guilt over the deaths that they are allowing to happen.