Unit 5O Popular Entertainment

In this reflection, I will be talking about the progress and exploration of two shows I have recently been apart of; A clockwork orange and Love loss and illuminations cabaret performance. Both of these shows were constructed in a way so I had many opportunities to push myself and explore other talents of mine to progress further. The idea of both shows being so close together is interesting because it almost doubled what needed to be done; because of this I had to be mindful of my time management and make sure I was working on each project equally. Now the shows have been completed I have a chance to reflect on what I gained from this experience and what I would have changed if I were to do it again.

A clockwork orange.

We found a script based on the film because of this we carefully analysed the script for any movie directions and scenes that did not have purpose to bringing this piece to the stage. This was quite a quick process. We creatively designed out set with stage boxes and chairs to create the environment, because this piece was in the style of Berkoff, we knew blackouts and set changes would be near enough impossible so we set out to design a set where we broke up different sections and created smaller sets which could also be used throughout. For example; Me and Natalie set up an alleyway structure that had a tunnel, but this was also used as an entry position for Alex to break into the cat lady's house. Consistently throughout the process of A clockwork orange, we all had the opportunity to direct scenes, I directed the first break in into the writers and his wife's house. It is a nice opportunity to direct because of our up coming Little shop of horrors show. Lines for me were easy to learn, the language of the script was different but I felt this aided to my memory, when sentences have to sense to them I remember them more, this is a skill I've only learnt I had since this project. We creatively demonstrated the fight scene through physical theatre, I think this blended nicely with the overall Berkoff Style. The movement scene was directed quickly by Nathan and aided by Frantic Assembly movements which I directed. The character I played was a little different to what I have played before; this being said I enjoyed experimenting with the dynamics of authority over the Alex character. Miss Deltoid was the only character in the beginning of the script that Alex would almost shy away from. Ryan pulled this level of relationship and dynamics very well which gave me the space to being an authority role when performing. Overall the cast did work together very well, I felt this production tested everyones abilities and majority of people pulled through and committed. Its been a good experience experimenting with the style of Berkoff, I didn't know much about the style and from not being involved in a Berkoff piece for our past unit; I felt this was informative and inspiring. Its was testing working on both shows at the same time, but I think this a good experience. I'd spend the day working on Cabaret pieces and come home to learn lines, I had to learn to channel my focus. If I were to do this project again, I'd experiment further with the style of Berkoff, I think I adapt and flourish more within styles like these.

Cabaret.

Year 2 have been involved in this show before, I think this was detrimental to how this show came together. We were aware of how to conduct ourselves in a professional environment. We were all aware of how we wanted to progress last year so made a conscience effort to be an improvement on ourselves. This was my favourite unit form the year before and this made me excited to test my abilities. I wanted to explore with a strong solo song and test myself in different styles of movement whilst also playing to my strengths in other areas. I personally felt I have personally developed my vocal range and ability to sing so I want to put this to the test any chance I obtain. I became a part of various different performances that I eventually felt confident within them all, through out all of this I worked hard on time management, making sure everything I was apart of wasn't neglected in rehearsals even if I felt it was strong enough. A handful of pieces I was strongly involved in became fast tracked, which boosted my confidence. As a cohort, I do feel we need to work together more than we do, this became apparent in reproduction directed by Paris, many students didn't commit to this piece until the last week which put this piece at risk simply because looking at the piece being performed you could tell that it wasn't up to scratch with other performances. I think this piece ended up being very strong. Once the threat of it being cut hit the performers, everyone came together and developed this piece. Burlesque came a very long way. We auditioned this piece the year before and because of complications it didn't meet the show. We managed to develop this piece even further , we turned it out staging wise, developed movements to a stronger standard and based on many of the cast members finding themselves through the space of a year everyone felt confident and sexy during the performance. So in a way this was a blessing in disguise and from talking to all the members they are glad it was not used in last years performance. My solo song was Cry me a river by Michael Buble. I chose this song in a attempt to push myself vocally and to add a character that hadn't been seen on stage just of yet. The song is a lower key for me, which I could sing but this performance was based more on my characterisation of a psycho ex girlfriend who was battling emotions. I felt this would be a different approach to Love and Loss as it shows the Loss of ones mental health. From performing this song on stage I quickly became aware that this song didn't sit right with me, Nathan suggested I chose a different song, not because I couldn't sing this one, but because I could advertise my vocal ability so much stronger. I think this was because the song is very one tone and lower key, where I usually sing Soprano. I changed the song to Adeles one and only, which was a milestone in itself. I had sung this song before in a talent show and was told by a teacher I would never do the song justice, baring this in mind I turned Adele's song into my own style and performed it with confidence. The experience of competing this unit as a second year has been amazing, I managed to include some Frantic assembly in the form of chair duets and I was very proud that our concept and theme was apparent for the audience members. Alicia choreographed an amazing African piece that broke up the entire performance. The audience members discussed how it was refreshing to see something different.

Overall both performances helped me develop in areas I didn't expect them too, A clockwork taught me to experiment freely and commitment to a style I am not particularly experienced within. Cabaret taught me time management and the ability to use feedback as a tool to develop further. I have been taught in both performances that the quicker I create an act I have more time to add characterisation. I need to trust my creative ability more than I already do. Throughout this unit I have worked quietly on facial expressions and quality of my movements. Looking back to last year; I have always been a performer who focuses more on what I'm doing rather than how I'm doing it, this year I changed that, I spent time adding confident emotion and meaning to every movement I performed and I am proud to say after both of these shows, this is the most confident I have ever been performing. These skills and observations will see me into the development and performance of Little shop of Horrors.