Rehearsal Two

I think that rehearsal two was very successful because we managed to use our bodies to make various objects that we are going to need in the play. I think that through a short warm up and small tasks like the one below, I feel as if the class/company has managed to really bond and there is clear chemistry and hard work shared between us all.

Kim showed a deffinate distinction level in this rehearsal as although it was not her scene, she was always contributing ideas to the staging of the show and possible ideas for props and costume. I also think she managed to show a positive attitude to all of the work set i.e. physical animalistic/object work. (to the right).

I think that Chem did very well to cope with the constant movement involved within his character. He also noted all of his staging on his script for future weeks; he also realised that he needed to highlight his lines in order to have an even better rehearsal next week. (Below).


I think that Euan, George, Daniel and Cameron worked very well together considering they have never been in a company/ group before. I also think they utilised their bodies very well in order to make the battery look as realistically possible with bodies as they could. (Above Left & Right).

Highlighting Lines and Rehearsal

After the first rehearsal I highlighted all of my lines and read through all of the section that I would be in thoroughly. I did this because I felt it would make my second rehearsal a lot easier! I also thought it would allow me to actually makes steps in the rehearsal, as appose to having to worry about where I was on the script. I enjoyed rehearsal two because we managed to block the entire section as well as my opening scene. I love the staging during my first scene as the clear different between Pip, Joe and Mrs Joe takes place; with Joe and Pip either side of the table, with Mrs Joe positioned in the centre. I think this is important because it allows the audience to instantly see the control and power Mrs.Joe seems to have over Joe. 

Words I did not understand from first read

Words in first read-through I did not understand

Larks ("What Larks?"):

• Something done for fun, especially something mischievous or daring; an amusing adventure or escapade. 
• Dickens' use of "larks" in this instance means to have a carefree, relaxed & fun time, or the opportunity to do so. 
• Other uses along the same lines include phrases like, "having a lark", or "larking about".

"On the rampage, off the rampage":

• to rush about in an angry, violent, or agitated fashion
• A course of violent, frenzied behaviour or action.

Blocking

Blocking is extremely important as it indicates queues, lines and helps you remember where you are in what section.

As chorus, blocking is key because we not only have a lot of queues but also have a lot of lines that carry on from one another. In addition the chorus are on stage a lot of the time which makes it key to know queues.

During this weeks session I wrote down my blocking and highlighted my lines. This helped me when going over my lines.

Character: Joe Gargery (What I learnt from first read and analysis)

Character: Joe 

I am very please with my character as I believe I will be able to make clear choices in order to make him as believable and as bold as he should be.

He is not the boldest of characters and is often shut down by Mrs Joe, the real 'man' in the relationship. Joe lives a very simple life, as a Blacksmith, he is depicted as the nice guy; through his relationship with Pip.

The relationship and kindness/care he shows towards Pip throughout the play shows how good his heart is and how much of a lovely man he is. 'Common' is the best word to describe Joe in some cases; in terms of his class, accent, job, however he is not 'common' in his traits and personalities. He is a caring, affectionate and lovely man that does not ever expect anything greater than what he has earned for himself.

I think the difficulties I will have to overcome is the fact that Joe is an older man and should therefore be perceived as one whilst he is on stage. I will have to experiment with accents in order to be able to find the right one for him. I will also have to find ways to make myself look like an old fashioned blacksmith as much as possible by making myself look more dirty, aged and like a manual worker.

First Impression of the Play

First Impression of the Play

My first impression of the play is in summary, good.

I think that although the language is more challenging and complex, in comparison to the daily modern language that we are used to studying; this will defiantly enable us to prepare and improve in time for the Shakespearean unit in post-16.

The storyline overall is a good. I like how the character of Pip takes the audience on a journey of the time period, including interesting and bold characters along the way such as; Magwich, Mrs Joe, Joe and Jaggers.

Watching the film version of the play managed to give certain types of imagery before we even begun to read the play itself. I personally love the story and concept of someone being taken from the 'common' working class and being made into a Gentlemen.

In addition, the one thing I feel we could find hard is the staging. The play consists of many quick cuts/short changes between scenery and therefore will need to be creatively done without set.

Furthermore it manages to show a certain degree of complexity in providing the audience with the themes of happiness and prosperity; and how they go together or part. Finally I think the idea of being able to perform this in an outside theatre will manage to push us and make us work harder in order to fill a larger space and a different audience layout/scenery.

Lesson One- 9th January

Our first lesson began by watching part 1 of BBC's version of Great Expectation. This managed to instantly give me an idea of the different environments that were in the play and the types of characters which I would like to play. It also told us the simple essentials like names, roles, era and storyline. I think essentially the film allowed the aid of a visual before we actually read the play because this may not of been provoked from the play by itself, due to some of the old english language.

After this we split into two different groups.

With Miss Goodall we looked at some of the key points of Frantic Assemblies work. Physicality work, e.g. heavy or light characters, random or controlled behaviour, their pace or freeness and the part of the body they lead from.

We also walked around the room as different types of characters to explore how the key points could effect a scene or a character, by having different types of characters interact with each other. This allowed me to realise and learn how circumstance as well as key attributes to a persons movement can have a direct link to the energy of a scene or piece.

This also provoked me to think of what some of these attributes were and how they could be related to possible characters I would like to play in the play.

• Joe- Large slow movements. Possibly slightly hunched. Heavy. A little slow in all aspects.
• OldPip- Medium pace, leads from chest/head is positioned up and beginning to be proud.
• Young pip- lots of energy, admires objects, leads with hands, shuffles feet.
• Jaggers- Slow, large steps.Quite heavy and very controlled behaviour.