Week 1

This week we started blocking the play for the first time, so obviously the starting point would be the prologue to the play. However the different is even though this is a part of the play and the opening and setting of the scene to the audience, we are not our characters in this scene, but People from the restoration period. The Prologue is one large speech which talks about life and setting the scene of the period and storyline.

To make the prologue more interesting we decided to split the lines into sections for each person on stage, making sure that we understood what we were saying as well as keeping a fast yet steady pace in cannon so the prologue doesn't drag out for too long, making the audience loose interest. As it's the opening it should open with an 'explosion' on stage so to speak. Over exaggerating the speak, talking overly posh and dirct to the audience with so much energy and excitement. As if where we giving them gossip and hints to what is going to happen in the play later on. For my lines i had to research their meanings to understand what i am saying the audience:

'To who are not of their own cabal' - to who are not of their own group/ class

'Are not so perfect but themselves may ere'- Are not perfect now but may have been before

'As for the writer of this coming play' - the writer of this play your about to watch

As i was speaking the prologue with the rest of the group getting use to the quickening pace, i realized actually how hard and poetical the restoration language is. I do have some difficulties with understand some specific words and speech but when researched i note it down in my script and helps improves my speech massively.

After blocking out the speech and how it was to be said, we started on how to position our self for the prologue. As all women would be wearing ankle length dresses and the men in frilly, Lacey suits with belts and swords, we have to get used to having a specific body posture because otherwise when in costume it wouldn't look believable if the female didn't have the body postures such as a tucked in bum, chest pushed out and feet together whenever they are standing up. Before the positioning of each person, we had to understand how we would have the set, knowing our entrance and exits and what space can be used:


























As shown from the rough sketch of what the set is planned be placed like, it will be in thrust staging, with a balcony backstage center. As for the main staging on the floor it will be on a revolving spinner, so it can change the scene from the streets to inside of a restoration house. There are four entrances in all with the staging which are names 'A' 'B' 'C' and 'D'. For the opening prologue i come on from point 'C' and come off to their as well. As sharp and quick as possible with a fast moving pace, keeping a high energy because restoration theatre is very high energy and to keep alive its comical humor that energy has to always be kept otherwise the audience loose interest.