"A Body Bigger Than His Body!"

Movement: Pablo said something cool about imbalance today. Imbalance is the foundation of all theatre. When there is imbalance, there is conflict, therefore there is drama. But imbalance is also a performative tool. In melodrama you perform with a bit of physical imbalance. e.g. a slight lean forward for your lover. And in Commedia Del'Arte characters are physically imbalanced to bigger extremes. And clown is a form with surprises of imbalance. All theatre is the same. There are always the same ingredients, Just different recipes.

Improvisation: Feeling really good about Neutral Mask. I'm doing pretty well so far. It's funny cause as soon as I do well I don't care so much about doing well. It highlights my previous need for academic approval. As soon as I get it it's a bit like "so what?". Time to risk more now!

Neutral Mask Exercises:

• Walk forward as if there is a fog in front of you - then the fog suddenly disappears revealing an ocean. Reach down and grab a stone and throw it into the ocean. Turn and walk away.

I was in a group that were all "not too bad."

Regular comments: "Too sad." "Too artistic." "Too cold." "Too scared." "Too tense." "Too nice." "Be Taller." "Higher horizon line (lift your nose)."

The limits of the mask is very important. Too far up or down or left or right (i.e. when we can't see the face) and the mask dies. This is relevant for all types of masks.

"Actors have a beautiful aura. Not pharmacists...But actors."

You have to look from the chest and from the pelvis.

"Ah! A body bigger than his body!"

• The same but not the same...this time pause at the end of the stone throw. An assistant removes the mask. Then speak text/sing a song in a whisper as you turn and leave slowly.

I got told "you speak too much" and that "everyone in Wellington talks like their mouths are full of water" due to the rainy climate... I asked Philippe what he meant be "speak too much" and he said I was too "bla bla bla with no fun putting words over my movement". So I think it's a matter of enjoying creating and playing with opposing rhythms - text and movement.

• Walk on a plane to the first music (slow). And when the second music comes in (fast) you are in a jungle - so climb about and use the space!

This seemed to be an exercise that offered us the opportunity to enjoy differing rhythms (possibly that's a big lesson of this whole course)! I got a FIVE! Nearly died under the neutral mask though! I was puffing cause I really pushed myself physically and couldn't get enough air through that tight little plastic mask!