Physical Theatre 2021 The New Normal?
- Tanya Lebedeva
- 11 янв. 2021 г.
- 13 мин. чтения
Обновлено: 17 апр. 2021 г.
11/01/2021
Today on the 11th of January, Catherine and Jess announced their idea about the "New Normal" project.
At first sight, I was overwhelmed with information. Also, I liked designing ideas (a big screen on the back with a projection of the news and lighting).
We spoke about the main events that happened in 2020 and feelings that we had during the lockdown - clapping for NHS, raising funds, the struggle of being isolated, loneliness, boredom, fright for the future, uncertainty. Also, we decided that the play would set a hopeful feeling for the future.
The best challenge that we faced from the start is that our play might be set during the lockdown outside the theatre. Therefore, we need to think about technical challenges - lighting, music, acting with each other, staging. The ideas were to use lighting from the laptop screen or using a mobile torch with some quality streets wrapper.
Before starting working on a particular scene, Sonia suggested a couple of physical exercises begin with the creative process. Those activities below aim to improve improvisation skills.
First, what we did was an activity where we needed to walk in various weather conditions, such as rainy, windy, or somewhere hot. After that, we had exercised to set a different mood for different parts of the body (happiness for eyebrows, sadness for knees, excitment). That exercise set a positive tone for the rehearsal, and I was amazed by how much joy it brings when you pretend to make certain happy parts of your body.
In the last exercise, we need to set a movement and then combine it with the partner. This exercise helped to start building storytelling elements from our experience and connect them with others.
Josh and I decided to move laptops while we are moving to create a sort of real feeling. It was interesting to see that all of us came up with different ideas - Kieran and Adam mirrored each other, or Catherine and Ed created a short scene by passing a subject through the screen.
For me, the most crucial thing from today's rehearsal is that we started working on the project in our current situation. I was doubtful how we could work and create in this situation, but surprisingly it worked better than I expected.
14/01/2021
Today Jamie, Catherine, and Jess held another workshop.
With Jamie's stretching exercises, we warmed up ourselves before the rehearsal. Warming up is essential; otherwise, we can cause muscle string.
After that, we did exercises based on our associations on specific photographs, like a photo of sanitizer or an image from an everyday walk. It was interesting to share our thoughts and see that they are changing with each image.
In the end, each of us created an everyday routine.
Sonia suggested that we could learn each other's habits and then recreate them one by one. It could show repetitiveness and boredom. Also, Sonia offered to create a similar design in our locations to look like one place.
Today was an excellent example of working in an ensemble. We started with one idea, and after having a chat, we created a few more.
15/01/2021
Today we had another series of exercises that will help us to devise our piece.
We started with warming up by Adam and his movement "reaching the plate". We found it exciting and thinking of using it in the show (reaching to someone).
Then Kieran led another exercise (Hymn Hands) when we needed to place our hands on each other without actually touching each other. It was challenging, but Josh and I found a way to extend our movements through each other's screen. We decided to use them in our project.
With Ed's activity, Josh and I discovered the connection through the screen by connecting our hands on the screen's edge. It felt like a real connection for Josh and me.
The center of my exercise was to use metronome and rhythm.
The idea for exercise came to me after watching this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKd9ERhV5SI&t=10s
pick the most annoying everyday activity during the lockdown and show it in 3 movements with strong identification of each movement
do those three movements together with 60 bpm
do those three movements together with 20 bpm and then do the same, but with exaggerated gestures and weight
do those movements with 120 bpm 2nd time but with a feeling of hurrying up
Separate into three groups: people who use their phones will be in the same group as me. Group 1 - follows 20 bpm, Group 2 - 120 bpm, group 3 - 60 bpm. Group 2 and 3 need to turn videos on Youtube for their rhythm and turn off their mic so that other groups won't be distracted.
I picked this exercise to go through different speeds together and see how we could apply it to our activities. For example, with 120 bpm, the moves looked chaotic and disorganized, while with slower bpm like 20, we could experiment and exaggerate the movements.
At the end of the lesson, we experimented with different physical activities, but the main thing that I understand that we can do this piece online, and it should be good!
19/01/2020
Yesterday we had a production meeting. Jess shared with us her vision of the setting.
It is going to be plastic screens in wooden frames. Six of them would have cost about 200£, but we discussed other options during the meeting: Jess's father would invest some money and use free pieces of wood from the theatre that we already have.
After that, Catherine let a discussion about the lighting we have at home.
Sonia will send us colourful paper through the post so that we can change the lighting at home.
In the afternoon, Sonia gave us a task to prepare a physical theatre piece reflecting on the current situation - coronavirus and isolation. My idea was to record everything on my laptop screen and then edit the best parts together.
As a result, I had a short piece about being held in one place without the possibility to escape.
20/01/2020
Today, I spent some time repeating exercises from videos by Frantic Assembly.
Warm up and practising the movements:
I decided to apply the same method and represent myself and my experience in the current situation. I studied the movement, and this is the result:
After that, I watch another workshop and try to repeat the exercise by rolling on the floor. Instead of moving on the floor, I decided to do the same on my bed, but with a recording from above.
In the end, I rerecorded it in the bed to recreate a feeling of tiredness of repeating the same thing every day.
The result:
At the end of the rehearsal, I learned new movements and created a physical theatre piece using the Frantic Assembly technique.
21/01/2021
Today I showed my classmates the videos I prepared during working on my own by exploring Frantic Ansembley online exercises. We tried to recreate the rolling movement, Sonia suggesting trying different camera angles. I agree it was an interesting angle from above that could be interpreted as a secret video camera.
We did not use this technique in future rehearsals, but I think working in devising is always about trying and then deciding if the movement or exercise could be useful or not.
When we discussed the result, we liked the idea of having various angles of the cameras. Besides, we had a great laugh about us moving in strange directions, creating different shapes.
In the second activity, I tried to teach my classmates the movements I created.
We decided that only 3 of us would perform them in the actual show.
Josh presented the last activity of the day. He showed us a list of crucial workers and asked us to pick one and act like them.
It was interesting to try myself as a cleaner or a person who does not care about coronavirus
22/01/2021
Today, we took part in two workshops by Ed and Josh. During Ed's workshop, I learned the basics of staging combat.
After that, we watched a short video made by actresses and stunt actresses and decided to make the same video to represent the feeling of being in lockdown.
By Thursday 28th, we have time to send videos to Ed. Then he edits them.
In the afternoon, Josh held his workshop.
He gave us a task to work in pairs and developed 12 movements (6 each) that will show love, angriness or loneliness.
Final result:
Others mentioned that they liked how we both disappeared from the screen and idea with miming. As for me, that exercise was challenging. With theatre, I try to escape from reality. But with our project, I need to put myself back in it.
After that, Catherine gave a presentation about lighting, lighting gels. She shared some excellent examples of how to use them.
We agreed that on Monday, we would try to use those techniques to make our videos more appealing.
25/01/2021
Today, the main tasks were to record the videos from previous lessons but using lighting gels.
That was the result of my physical theatre exercise combined with lighting gel. I think it shows well the sadness and loneliness of current situation.
30/01/2021
On Thursday and Friday, we concentrated on creating a choreography over the song Empathy by Alicks.
Sonia put me in charge of the small group. I was surprised and stressed because I have not prepared to lead a small group. Usually, I like to have an exercise in mind.
However, we worked together and created a starting point.
When others saw the movements, they agreed that the freezing moment and silent scream look powerful.
The next day, Catherine and Jess came up with a plan to expand the starting point.
Together we created a movement for the start of the song. Jess edited the sound, so we have a track just for this part. On Monday, we will record it without Sonia, Jess, and Cat in zoom and, hopefully, use it in the performance.
04/02/2021
On Monday, we repeated the movements; then, we were asked to read or improvise roles in front of the camera in a video call style.
I was playing a nurse, and Kieran played my partner.
Nurse. Hey hun…
Partner. Hey!
N. So how’s my favourite people?
P. We’re doing well, your parents send their love as do I. Is everything okay? You look exhausted
N. Yeah I haven’t been sleeping very well
P. Is everything okay? If you need to talk I’m here.
N. I know I just...it’s been tiring.. I miss you and our little Joye
P. I miss you too! I know, its been hard and I wish we did not need to go through this. We both need to be strong for our family.
N. Ogh (sigh) It’s difficult, you know I need to be family for people I don’t even know! When they’re actual family can’t see them... And what I get back? A room in a hotel? Unable to see my family? People who continue meeting in public? Spreading the virus, acting irresponsibly… you know, we can’t keep up... We’re in code black...we have more patients than places to keep them and we aren’t getting the funding we need
In our final cut, I have decided to expand my part.
Final video
07/02/2021
On Friday morning, Sonia introduced two physical theatre companies that were still creating work during the lockdown - Loose End and Push.
Before starting exercises, we used yoga for warming up. It is crucial to warm up before physical rehearsal so that we won't damage the muscles or ourselves.
When we were ready, we watched videos with exercises in "small space" and the routine of using a chair.
Rehearsing process with chair:
Result:
Exercise in "small space", result:
At the end of the rehearsal, I learned two physical theatre techniques that I can use when working independently or with a partner. I can only imagine the effect that could be created if you put not one but few people in the smallest space, emphasizing lack of privacy during the lockdown (all relatives stay home all the time). Besides, chair exercise I can use in theatre production to create exciting movements during the monologue or dialogues on the stage.
09/02/2021
On Monday morning, we worked independently from each other. I like to work independently; it gives me space to try and don't be rushed by the other person.
I chose to experiment with the devising exercise by Theatre De Complicite to create series of movements.
I picked Amanda Gorman's poem "The Hill We Climb." and wrote down ten sentences that would describe that text the best.
Then I went from the first sentences to the next to create a movement.
In the end, I create a short dance routine. I enjoyed using that technique. I found it easier to develop movements when I have a stimulus in mind.
The result:
In the end, I create a short dance routine. I enjoyed using that technique. I found it easier to develop movements when I have a stimulus in mind.
08/03
Last week, we concentrated on finishing the videos and discussing ideas of what we could do when we were back in the theatre.
On Monday, 1st March, we discussed with Kieran a few physical things:
cutting a face mask representing the end of coronavirus
shine a torch or a light around an actor in the blackness
On Friday, 5th March, Ed joined our conversation. And we had so many great and ambitious ideas inspired by DV8.
1) passing the plates with the sticks
2) balance objects (laptops/chairs)
3) build 2 sticks for balancing the person
4) use of elastic bands
5) using staging
6) physical theatre - hand stand, bridge, hand stand on the chair
7) use of fabric to support each other
8) build scaffolding
I enjoyed discussing ideas with Ed and Kieran. It reminded me of a visionary task when we needed to interact without touching each other.
This week we are going to try these ideas out and see what works and whats not.
09/03
Yesterday, Catherine prepared few exercises for us to do.
Firstly we created a routine of about 20-30 sec about our feelings during the lockdown. To be honest, speaking about them and the lockdown is harsh for me. When I think about it and remember all those grey days in the flat, my mind goes blank.
I tried to apply those feelings to my routine, and I thought about showing myself small and unimportant during those times, continually being told what to do.
The result:
After that, we worked in pairs. I worked with Jamie. We mirrored each other movements and experimented on action and reaction. It was interesting that even if we can't touch each other, we still could interact.
In the end, I worked with Adam on chair duets. This exercise was new to me; after doing it, Sonia said that we needed to set the movement in this exercise, and the partner needs to react to it. So maybe next time, we will try it differently.
It feels good to be back at the college and continue experimenting with physical movements. It did feel unusual to be observed continuously without having the freedom to experiment on my own.
15/03/21
On Friday, we worked with our new equipment - scaffolding. We separated on 3 groups: Kieran and Ed, Jess and Catherine, Jamie and I. We each had a go with idea of adding movements over the song for the each of 16 counts.
22/03/21
Last week, we started to put the piece together. Catherine prepared a schedule for the whole work, and luckily we have done the most while we were at home.
On Monday, Jamie and I worked on our choreograph on scaffolding. The inspiration for our choreograph was things that we did at home on lockdown.
To be honest, I am delighted with the result. It was good to work with Jamie and create a short piece about the lockdown and our everyday routine.
Result:
At the afternoon, we worked as a group on Kieran's choreograph.
On Thursday, we worked as a group to extend the choreograph that we created at home. It was productive to work together and pitch ideas and try them out. What I liked about the process is that we could suggest a thing and then immediately discuss if we like it or not.
As a result, we come up with moving from one square to another, where we politely asked each other to move, and then it becomes more hectic and frustrating.
This movement transformed into the small space movement, where we represent the idea of being stuck in one place. On the other hand, it meant the idea of continue doing theatre even when we are at home.
After that, we worked on Kieran's choreograph. In the start, I thought that his choreograph meant hope and passing the light to others, but then it turned out it was a representation of boredom.
On Friday, we had a run-through and went all way to the middle of the show. We worked on creating a choreograph for Black Lives Matter.
At the end of the week, we were confident in almost half of our piece. It was good progress that we made in the transition from home back to college.
Order of the scenes
Link with videos prepared by Jess - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyO9hZZE0QTTihA9VwGfi3elXxX2hskyI
26/03/21
Oh boy, this week was busy. On Monday during the day, we worked on repeating Kieran's choreographed, and after that, we had a run-through till the moment we stopped last time (among us).
On Thursday, we worked on the Among Us part; we add some movements and lighting effects to make it looks more visually appealing.
We also recorded a video of us coming back and meeting with each other in front of the college. Then we devised and created words that were representing mixed of our emotions.
We had our first run-through. Despite that we remembered everything, it was clear that the transitions need more time to work on. Also, the screens were all over the place.
On Friday afternoon, we run the show twice. Surprisingly, it went longer than the first time, so we rearranged the order of few scenes (cut out the cleaning scene and add it to Kieran's and Ed's performance on scaffolding); after that, the show's whole time became 45 mins.
To my surprise, I liked the scene that I previously found boring, for example, the scene with fighting or scaffolding routine.
01/04/2021
Today we had two performances - the first one was for the live audience, and the second was for the recording and media students.
I can feel a different vibe when we performed it for real people. I could tell that everyone tried their hardest. And it was delightful in the end to receive applause.
To conclude my experience of creating physical theatre at home and bringing it on the stage, I would say we did pretty well. Less than a month after going back to the college, we prepared, staged, and combined with music, lighting a whole performance.
It was challenging for me mentally because working as a team member still my area for growing. As an ensemble member, everyone should be equal to bringing new ideas to the show, trying them out, and deciding what works and what is not. I do not feel comfortable promoting the ideas; I like to give a result to the team. It works perfectly for me to try things on my own and then share them with others. If people like it, great; if not, that's okay too because I did something to educate or challenge myself. For example, I did that with a video routine that shows loneliness and repetitiveness or metronome.
The lack of time was also adding some level of stress to our performance. In the last few weeks, the process became more concentrated on the show. As I mentioned earlier in the logbook, the final version was ready less than a week before the actual performance date. And I remember feeling "hurry up" or "we must just finish it." I bet it was challenging for Jess and Catherine to control the time and technical side.
Overall, it was a fascinating journey of creating a piece of physical theatre - half at home, half at the theatre. It sounds like a challenge that theatre practitioners take to broaden their horizons, but we did because we could not do it any differently. I hope that this situation won't repeat in the future, but if it does, we will be ready!
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