Mood: Burak

Macbeth

Interesting, not what I expected. People are constantly trying to take a new spin on this classic play, setting it in a modern times or abstract settings. The directors attempt to mix 1950’s war time with the Medievil times at which it was written was evident in the use of weapons. Mixing hand guns with swords and daggers was an attempt to show the link between the original placing and script to the adapted war and military setting.

Another attempt to create an individuality to this age old tale was keeping the actors on the stage throughout the entire play. There were very few times when the actors actually left the stage and if they did they very quickly re-entered to freeze sitting side of stage. This posed an unnecessary distraction because though the actors were still majority of the time their changing of costumes drew attention away from the scene taking place. 

 An effective tool by lighting was the flashing intervals between important scenes. three or four time throughout the show, when a significant event or discussion had taken place there would be a blackout and the lights would flash from overhead to shine onto the actors standing in a spread formation on the stage. It only lasted a second which is what made it so effective because it shocked the audience. Another great lighting effect was the use of lights on the floor of the stage which angled upwards and shone halfway up the back wall. This effect was used during the military scenes to show a change in setting.

The actor who played Macbeth was very different to any I’ve seen before. His physicality was at times a little over acted for the character who for the first half of the story has a business-like manner. His vocal work was very excentric but at times repetitive and not in context with what he was saying. This at times caused the audience to lose focus or miss out on parts of the stroyline when emphais was put on unimportant phrases. The other part of this character that was missing was the gradual deterioration of his mind, moving into a state of insanity. The build was lost at the beggining of the play when his non-rhythmic movement and unmoderated tone was already apparent.

The actress who played Lady Macbeth was further developed but still not as deep as expected. The contrast between the first scene; an excited wife reading a letter from her husband; and the last scene; an insane murderous fragile woman. was a great example of the build of her charcater. The important scene in between these, the manipulation of Macbeth to murder Duncan, showed Lady Macbeth to be developing into a strong conspiring woman. However, a key part of this scene is the seduction that Lady Macbeth uses as a manipulation tool which was non-existent.

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In Wednesday’s class we rehersed Sophie’s second memory and her monolgue. Sophie’s second memory is a very effective and clever scene because of the use of the boxs. It is really good to be able to use those very few props and transform them into something of the imagination. I also think people are really loosening up and developing their characters in this scene which is great for everyone to bounce off.

I also love the focus which is happening which is very promising. The problem is just bringing it to every class. When this starts to happen acting becomes more natural and people strat to get the meaning behind thier dialogue out to the audience. Each character has a story to tell and it is fantastic to see glimpses of it come together from everyone. The next steph with this is to keep in charcater throughout a string of scenes.

Sophie’s third memory is the scene that needs the most work, mainly because it is long and there are lots of changes in setting which are all done by physical movement by the class. Once this is under control full runs will begin which is a great chance for all members of the company to realy see how it is shaping up and what needs to be done. I am wondering whether some sort of extended rehersal can be arranged, either into lunch or after school, just to have a full run through.

The Mechanics Institute looks great and I love the fact that the audience are so close to the front of the stage, it really allows the actor’s faces to be seen and really connect. It is also a lot bigger than expected which is something we will need to remember during rehersals. Bethany and I will need a full lighitng plan before we enter the Theatre to ensure we are set up as quickly as possible.

Pilot.