Today started with Philippe getting us in lines of ten, and then going through each of us one by one to see if we're liked, or whether we break people's balls. "When this actor stands up, are we happy? We are going to have fun? Or do we say Ay ay ay my balls?" [For me Philippe said we don't know yet for my new character, but in general: 'boff boff boff'] What an awful way to start the class! But I suppose it makes us vulnerable, which helps with sensitivity. And it makes us aware that we need to change.
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Today we did 'an exercise for humour' (as yesterday someone had asked how do you get it if you don't have it). It was set in a pharmacy.
These psychedelic signs are everywhere in Paris!
The most boring person had to play the role of the pharmacist. And characters would enter, to get drugs or whatever. And if they were more boring than the pharmacist, then they would take on the pharmacist's role...
I came on as a customer with Marco as the pharmacist. I played a bit with a lot of 'aaahs' in-between words, which worked a bit (the trick again is giving room to let the audience come to you), but nothing super. But I was "less boring" than Marco and thus, wasn't demoted to Pharmacist.
After this first go I was feeling like I want be bigger and louder and generally more alive. Crazy and fun. I feel quite stuck being small. So I decided to go there - but try to do this with more sensitivity. I'm not talking anything too drastic. But I feel like I haven't been quite reaching the level of energy required lately (as I've been focusing on being lighter). I've been undercutting it a bit. So after the break I tried to give a bit more.
There was an opportunity for somebody boring to have a go at the pharmacist role so I got up. Why not? Philippe actually said "You - you are not boring." Wow. I was surprised. But speaking to Victoria later tonight, she said being boring has never been my issue. My issue has been doing too much. Philippe let me have a go anyway. And each scene I tried a new voice. And tried to make some kind of physical offer. I felt good about this. I was bigger/louder and sensitive at the same time. I was connecting with the other actor's on stage - taking my time - and trying to discover a game with them. I did a scene with Harvey, with Claire de France, and finally with Austrian Thomas. Thomas and I (like many other times) played well together. We have good complicité and good fun together. During our scene Philippe got us to do it in the style of a musical, which was fun. We weren't amazing successes, but we were free and playing together and we had "good pleasure"...Not totally bad."
I didn't get any personal feedback again today. But I feel like I've made good steps towards being more simple on stage (not trying to be funny helps!!!), and connecting and playing with others.
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"Every time you want to be funny it's a disaster."
"As an actor you have to find a conflict." - For example, if the customer says hello! Pretend you can't hear them...
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Later in the day I got asked this question about a scene that had just been stopped: "Is it more horrible than the nuclear bomb in Hiroshima?"
And then Philippe goes on to elaborate all the facts... And I have to answer this damn question... OMG!
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At the end of class Philippe got the 'five most boring people of the workshop' to get on stage, and sing in the form of musical theatre about their experience of the workshop. He ended up helping each one of them to be simple and beautiful. Usually by getting them to walk slowly, be tall, half sing/half speak. To really be with us.
"He is here, your character: With your beauty and your fun. Not your idea and nya nya nya."
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