Day 4 - from Schmetterlinge to Passports

The session this week brought the start of rehearsals and without giving too much away (we do want the project performance to be a surprise, after all), the group really got their teeth stuck into the new script entitled, 'Falling to our knees'.

With the the skeleton of Anthony's script in one hand and a passport in the other, the group worked through the first few pages in which a metaphor is formed: a bridge between the flight of butterflies and the ability to travel the world using an efficient, little burgundy book of joy called a passport. Did you know that the British passport ranks 1st in the world in terms of freedom of travel? Brits have access to 173 countries and territories. Handy, that.



Her Britannic Majesty's
Secretary of State
Requests and requires in the
Name of her Majesty
All those whom it may concern
To allow the bearer to pass freely
without let of hindrance,
and to afford the bearer
such assistance and protection
as may be necessary.


You will find these words printed on the inside cover of the most recent issue of the British Passport, along with a a purple butterfly with wings out stretched. But imagine not having that kind of protection. Brits usually just go past GO  without even thinking about being trapped behind an invisible pane, tapping on the glass trying to escape...like a butterfly.

Of course, staging all of this was the focus of the session. It was so interesting to watch Simon and Anthony map out the visual mechanics of frame and blocking. Simon asked the group to manipulate the passports, so that they formed a very visual metaphor of dancing butterflies, landing freely without 'hindrance'. I will keep the rest of this section secret for now, but for future reference in this post and blog (mostly for my benefit) this section of the piece will be called Passport Puppets.

I really don't want to spill the beans at this point, although it is so exciting to be part of something like this. I shall only divulge that the next section of tonight's session involved verbal sparring between two characters: one Jewish youth; one anti-Semitic youth who seem to know each other from childhood. With the German boy in a tight spot in front of his friends, his only option is to refuse recognition of the Jewish boy.

Questions/issues that I'm interested in finding more about for next week:

 - Two characters. 14 actors. How is that going to be blocked on stage? What if actors swap stage blocks during dialogue?

 - How will actors focus on synchronising lines? If it is decided some of the dialogue will be chorused, how can the actors maintain stresses and emotion?

 - Volume: less shouty-shouty of lines, more listen-to-each-other-lines

 - Town hall will have microphones, will the narrators be in front of microphones like in last year's Millions of Kisses. 

Highlights of this week:

- When the gold lettering of a passport was reflecting onto the face of one of the young people. Lovely image, if only it were this easy to show on stage!

- Advancement of Lightbulb memorial idea

- I feel as if we've made great progress

IF....

you've made it this far down this post and you're interested in coming to see the performance in January then feast your eyes upon the link entitled 'Upcoming Events' or just click here and it will direct you to a page where you can register for the conference. Remember, that although there are some free events - you will still need to register.

ALSO.....

I have been playing drama games each session with the group and want to try something new and super energetic. If you know of any fun games then please comment below.

Any feedback on the blog itself is also really appreciated.