Tightening The Tempest
April 5, 2012
Tempest had its first preview last Friday. I get the feeling we dished up something more than a bit on the bland side. Certainly the note that we 'Europeans' had from David was that we were slow and dull! There was a real need to put a bit of zip and zest into the thing.
I can give you a couple of examples of where we lighten and tighten. It's rather shaming that after my fervent advocacy for trusting the text, acting on the lines and not between the lines I should have to be reminded to clean up my act, so to speak, and not do stuff that the text doesn't support.
In Act V, Gonzalo is embraced by Prospero - whom I haven't seen since I helped exile him from Naples some twelve years ago. I say: 'Whether this be or be not, I'll not swear'.
That's all I've got for this big moment, so I've been playing all sorts of emotional stuff: guilt, weeping with shock and relief, puzzlement, fear; an award-worthy journey through a range of feelings that actually add nothing to a story being ably told through more characters than just mine. 'Stop acting,' would be the note, and just do what the text says, which is not be sure whether Prospero is a real or a vision. A simple statement simply made after which we can get on with the play!
There's another interesting tiny improvement in our first scene. Sebastian observes that Gonzalo is 'winding up the watch of his wit'.
Kirsty didn't say the line until she could react to what she saw me doing, but in deciding nevertheless to come straight in hard on her cue she's now actually saying it as she sees it. One can be sure nobody will notice or care that she seems to be reacting more quickly than people might in real life. We are all making little tightening adjustments like that and the consequence on Saturday night was a scene two minutes shorter and zippier.
David was really pleased with the play on Saturday, and feels we've now really started on the preview journey of gradual improvement toward the opening night. It did feel to all of us as if we've cooked a more flavourful dish together. A bit of spice here and there has made the difference.
Last night (Monday) was, I think, a slight slip back again. We'll find out in notes today. My goodness, one needs to be so mentally fit, alert and concentrated to play this game. Not letting the ball drop, handing on batons effectively and generously, positioning oneself helpfully in the field of play...
Pictured today is Jan Knightley, one of our beautiful hard-working spirits.
by Nick Day
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