“When You Start You Have To Do Something People Never Saw. You Have To Do That. Something Absolutely New. It Helps You To Start.”

Mike offered a text he’d written at the beginning of class today featuring God and other biblical figures. But Philippe told him he has to work more because there are historical inaccuracies. But he also said it’s okay to change things if you want to. A little confusing, but I think the problem with Mike’s text was more that it wasn’t clear than that it wasn’t accurate. 

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Charles also presented a number following on from last week’s autocourse with the letter saying “I’m gay.” Dressed as a homeless tramp, he imitated a pompous upperclass doctor speaking about the many ways to deal with a gay son. But the writing/performance didn’t build or change. “It’s too long...it’s bla bla bla.”

“Theatre: We need action, we need images, we need many things.”

I don’t think he has a big problem. It’s just a timing thing. And it was good for me to observe, because I’m having a similar issue with the number I’m writing. It’s a fine line - the timing to get to the good stuff. Especially when you’re trying to be subtle. You need tactics, but they can’t go too long!

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Then we read a scene (Act V Scene I) from King Ubu by Alfred Jarry in which Ma Ubu and King Ubu have a big argument. “We need monsters...we need people tough.”

Philippe decided to try doing the scene all in shadows, so we set up a big sheet and put lights behind it. 

“You have to give life to the shadow.”

I asked why shadows and he said it leads the actor away from playing a character. It pushes you to be bigger with your gestures. To play less as an actor and more as a puppeteer. And “it gives a good game.” He said he’d never tried it before, but it makes sense since the scene is set in a cave. And it worked. It was a lot of fun too. Vicky and Mark were a great pair, ‘punching’ each other, farting on each other, biting each others fingers, and generally being horrible horrible couple. Ben and André also had fun together making hand animals. “Not the exercise, but they have a good fun.”

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“If you are alive and you have fun, I take it. I’m not that complicated.”

“Bouffon humour is black.”

At the end of class somebody asked advice about what to do after school has finished. Philippe said it’s good to make a team of two or three. By yourself is really difficult. “Alone is impossible.” He said “England is a good land for theatre” because it has many little towns to present a show.

“It’s good to present something new.”

“When you start you have to do something people never saw. You have to do that. Something absolutely new. It helps you to start.”

“It’s in the genes of the school to do something never seen. Something unbelievable.”

“The job is to be really well known as soon as possible.”

Philippe also spoke about having a director to guide you when you are making work in a company. “A director is really important. But if he is a wanker and destroys your spirit, he is bad.” A directors job is not to impose his ideas on your project. His job is to help you make sure your spirit is always shining.

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There was a really good feeling in the class today. People were joking around and we laughed a lot.  And it was hot! Summer is coming!