Dry Tech Rehearsal

Our dry tech rehearsal allowed us to really observe what it is we need to improve on. I've learnt all of my lines so it's easier now I don't have to focus on carrying my script on stage however, it's obvious that we all need to do more work.

One of the major aspects we need to improve on is our props work. The play features many props that are specific to a certain timeframe and so it would be extremely historically inaccurate to get them mixed up. This means that everyone who has to bring a prop on needs to know which prop it is, when it's coming on and when it's coming off - this has proved quite a difficulty. I'm lucky as I have few props to bring on - multiple bowls and some headphones - but the entire scene wouldn't work if they're not in the right place. This means I need to work hard to ensure that all the props I carry on - especially the bowls and cutlery - are in the correct places to carry on, are set in the correct places when on stage and are carried off at the right time. It was evident this was a struggle for some as many of the props were left on stage as the scenes were finished - notably the saws from the 1960's scenes. This highlighted a major issue we all need to work harder at in order for the entire piece to be successful.

I feel we were all, on a whole, pretty successful when it came to our cues and being on stage at the right time. There were no major mishaps with someone not being on the stage when they were supposed - this was one of the more positive aspects to come out of the rehearsal. However, the speech and dialogue felt quite stifled. Due to us being in a new space for the first time, I feel people resorted back to being nervous in their lines - speaking them how they did when they first got the script - I know I was particularly nervous. We also need to raise our voices a little louder, there were moments when I was sitting in the wings in which I was unable to hear some scenes. As Su-Lin is young and quite loud, I tried to have my voice at the correct level that would be believable but also hearable by the audience - this is also hindered by the fact a lot of the action takes place around the table and so the dialogue can accidentally fall to quite quiet as we go into 'TV acting' rather than stage. The means we all need to work harder on projecting our voice to make sure we're all heard clearly as well as opening all the action up a little more.

Furthermore on that point, as a lot of the action takes place around the table, it was highlighted by this rehearsal that everyone is sort of sucked into it. We all need to open the performance up and use all the space we have rather than just sticking to the table and it's perimeter. This is a lot harder, granted, in scene's which actually take place sat at the table - the 2013 lunch, the commune and the convent - however, there are still ways we could develop it into being more open. This is one of my biggest issues I need to work on as I sometimes catch myself acting too small - for those around the table - rather than opening it up for those who would be sitting in the audience.

All in all, the rehearsal was extremely useful. It definitely highlighted the areas we need to work on most - it also gave us a very good idea on the flow of the piece and how much more effort we need to put in at picking the energy up and making sure it doesn't fall flat. However, given the amount of time we have left, I am confident we're in a good place for our opening in January.