Rehearsal: 11/12/15
[Movement sequence blocked using inspiration from ‘Seven
Tensions’ exercise]
Task:
I used the same idea behind my second attempt
of ‘Seven Tensions’ exercise (see log entry 9/12/15). I allowed myself to move
and perform through my character as opposed to myself.
For stimulus I chose 4 symptoms that
post-natal depression sufferer’s experience – Insomnia, loss of libido, low
self-esteem and anxiety. I then chose 4 levels of tension from Lecoq’s exercise
that I thought would match each symptom.
These where 1: exhausted/catatonic, 2: laid back, 3: neutral/economic
and 4: Alert/curious.
I then used the 4 chairs to represent the 4 different symptoms and used
this area of stage to represent when my character would experience the symptom
and tension.
Every time I move to a different chair the different symptom and level
of tension takes over and I react to this.
Inspiration/Theory -
I took inspiration from my two attempts of 'seven tensions' exercise and
I proposed to try and develop it further to try and improve the outcomes from
previous ones.
My focus was on physical aspects such as posture, walking style and
weight this time. The idea behind my developed version this exercise was to
give myself an open world to explore as my character. The only limitations I
would have is that I had to change my symptom and tension when I came into a
different space where a chair was. The theory was If I give myself an open
world/space to develop and play with my physical training and style of theatre,
then I would hold back less because I had no expectations or constraints for
myself.
‘The freedom of ‘everything is possible’ will allow the invention of a
world with laws other than those of reality’ (Lecoq 1981: 72)
All of these features I drew inspiration from 'Theatre of Movement and
Gesture' by Jaqcues Lecoq.
Edited by David Bradby.
Proposed Outcome -
I expected the short sequence to be very underdeveloped and have
projections of myself and not my character. I am at the very beginning stages
of my physical theatre training of Lecoq's pedagogy of exercises therefore I
know that the initial stages of my rehearsal process will need substantial
developments. I assumed that the movements would be clumsy and not make much
sense in regards to the context of the scene as I am style exploring the
different tensions.
Outcome –
[VIDEO] My own developed variation of Lecoq’s ‘seven
tension’ exercise.
I surprised myself through the end result of the sequence and what it looked
like. There are areas of the piece that portrayed aspects of the
symptoms very clearly and I took on a more stylised approach to
the physicality of the tension which is something I hope to develop
even further in rehearsals. I notice in areas of the video when I am beginning to
abandon my inhibitions and beginning to allow myself to totally embody the
emotion/tension my character is experiencing. (See video: 35 - 50 secs) However this can go even further in terms of commitment.
What would I Change? -
I need to work on each individual portrayal of the 4 symptoms
and tensions. I need to look in more detail at aspects such as exploration of
space, rhythm, dynamics, fixed points and obstacles. Through further
exploration and analysis of these individual features of Lecoq's training I
will improve and develop this movement sequence in far more depth so that it
better conveys the symptoms.
Moving Forward -
By looking
into these sections in greater detail my movements will become more polished
and representational of Lecoq's style. Right now they are still being affected
by my own personal inhibitions to let go and also my fitness levels. This will
be something I plan on improving.
List of references -
Lecoq, J. (1987) Theatre of Movement and Gesture. New York: Routledge
No comments:
Post a Comment