Blocking

Succeeding in my audition, I got the role of the Fairy which I very pleased about. Our cast list:

Jack Trott	Corrina Foley
Dame Trott	Jovan Sutovic
Alfie	Kurt Johnson
King Hubert	Michael Parry
Princess Rose	Daisy Spicer
Nausea	Saskia Chambers
Fairy Nuff	Khadija Richmond
Blunderbore (the giant)	Kelsey Lewis
Daisy the Cow	Georgia Owen / Barnaby Jordan
Chorus	Eden Stewart, Lily Jordan, Georgia Owen, Barnaby Owen
Villagers	Emma Foskett, Molly May Giddings, Nathan Grant-Brooker, Amber Hunt, Ricardo Metin, Luke Rota, Tom Roethenbaug, Jack Smith, Sonia Dayal

We then began to block through scenes by following the directions on the script and from our director herself. It proved challenging as we were all in the process of line learning and were trying to simulate some form of characterisation as well.
Here are some of the points of reference from our director:

• When going through lines remember that there are different ways of pausing for effect which may or may not be given in stage directions. If already placed in the script, these are the recommended timings: Beat = 1 second, Pause = 4 seconds, Silence = 5/6 seconds and a Long pause = 8 seconds.
• The importance of character improvisation – even at such an early stage, we had to do excess work outside of rehearsals to ensure our familiarity with the script and our character and the character’s relation to the plot.
• Diction – making sure that we were clear and able to be understood.
• Upstaging – as mentioned above, it was an early stage in the rehearsal process however, if corrected this early then in theory it shouldn’t occur again.
• Building layers – this was a note mainly for chorus members which would add to the atmosphere. Building a back story for each character (especially non-speaking roles) which gave each purpose on stage.
• Front on acting – this was an overall comment especially for the main characters when having a conversation with another on stage, to tilt their posture diagonally towards the audience.
• Tonic body – this is to do with physical intention of a character, whether what is interpreted by their body matches what they are saying.

We also had to understand that pantomimes are played on two different levels as the art form is mistaken only for children. There are aspects such as the princess and the fairy which are intended for a younger audience, however, with the humour and the intonation of certain jokes they are for older audience.
Personal feedback given by the director were assessing my voice and finding a comfortable median between an upbeat  and spritely tone and one that can be understood. I (although in the process of learning) was also told to go over lines so that I was completely comfortable, this would encourage grander gestures which was my final note.