Task 2: A midsummer nights dream performance: Shakespeare Duologue Evaluation and Feedback

 A Midsummer Nights Dream Performance Evaluation 

1. What was your initial response to the practitioner Shakespeare? track how this has developed and changed during the course of rehearsals and performance.

Growing up in lama exams and acting festivals i always shied away from Shakespeare pieces. I found them confusing and I was scared to forget the words and not understand the subtext of what i was performing so initially, Shakespeare wasn't my favourite, i found his work complicated and hard to understand. i personally felt his work was out dated and all based of boring subjects (i was very wrong). i always had no interest in performing anything by him when really his work was a generalisation of what people make Shakespeare out to be. my first Shakespeare piece i performed was the very famous puck monologue and from then my opinion swiftly changed as i realised his plays are gripping and compelling and we can link them to modern times.  throughout the rehearsals i found the comedy in the scenes and found it really exciting to perform and it is actually a scenario that could happen with exaggerated but believable characters. 

2. what was your initial response to 'a midsummer nights dream' track how this has developed and changed from initial reading to watching then the performance 

my initial response to a midsummer nights dream was that it was too complicated and confusing so i mentally blocked myself from understanding the story. after watching a version of it i slightly understood it more but there was still this underlying refusal stopping me from wanting to understand it. however, when looking at the story in more detail i found the stories were comical and thrilling at times. i learned to love the play and now really enjoy it and would love to see it live.

3. describe the challenges you faced in developing your character and how you overcame these.

When starting to learn our scenes one challenge i faced was the language barrier. To begin with Shakespeare can be really hard to understand and even though i was reading the words off of the page i didn't know what i was actually saying and i wasn't taking in the emotion through the words. to overcome this i translated the scene into modern day english to understand what was happening in the scene going back and forth i understood what was happening and i didn't realise it was so funny!

this will help me in the future with any work with unusual scripts or future Shakespeare as i can understand the language and scripts easier and i won't shy away from anything tricky and that i can work through it.

Another challenge i faced was learning lines which is rather unusual for me as normally i am fairly quick with learning lines i think because of the iambicpentametre i found it tricky as the last bit of the scene was a monologue that was very dramatic 

That will ask some tears in the true performing of it. If I do it, let the audience look to their eyes. I will move storms, I will condole in some measure To the rest — yet my chief humor is for a tyrant. I could play Ercles rarely, or a part to tear a cat in, to make all split. The raging rocks And shivering shock   Shall break the locks Of prison gates And Phibbus' car Shall shine from far And make and ma The foolish Fates.This was lofty. — Now name the rest of the players. — This is Ercles' vein, a tyrant's vein; a lover is more condoling

this section i found hard to learn as i kept missing out tiny parts of lines or combining parts of lines to overcome this i worked with chloe to picture little things to remember the lines and actions that go withthe lines

4. What were the strengths and weaknesses of my performance 

Reflecting on my performance as Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" alongside Chloe's portrayal of Quince, I found several strengths and areas for potential improvement.

Strengths:

1. Connection with Chloe: I felt a genuine connection with Chloe on stage, and our chemistry translated well into the characters of Bottom and Quince. This connection made the characters' relationships more believable making the performance more engaging and funny

2. Character Understanding: I had a good understanding of Bottom's comical and self-important nature, while Chloe effectively portrayed Quince's status doubt and annoyance towards. This understanding allowed us to bring authenticity to our characters and their interactions.

3. Comic Delivery: There were moments when the comedic timing clicked, and the humor in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" went down well with the audience. The successful delivery of comedic elements added a light and entertaining feel to the performance. And we got lots of laughs from the audience because we really worked on the comedy 

Areas for Improvement:

1. Clarity of voice : Upon reflection, I noticed times where the clarity of voice or expression could be enhanced. Focusing on articulation and slowing down my lines will be crucial to ensure that every nuance of the dialogue is heard and understood to the audience.

2. Physicality Exploration: I realized there were opportunities to explore Bottom's physicality further. I could have used more expressive gestures or refining body language to align with Bottom's larger-than-life personality could elevate the visual aspect of the performance. And I could have been more over the top

3. Energy Management: Managing the energy levels and pacing throughout the performance is an area that could have been better. Identifying moments where energy may have dropped and adjusting the pacing would contribute to a more dynamic and engaging overall flow.and I felt ours was very rushed and we could afford to slow down 

peer feedback

Harrison and Ellie 

I really liked harrison and Ellie‘s performance. As I believe they were in character and stayed in character. The whole time the development of characters showed their that showed Ellie‘s character showed Helena‘s love towards Demetrious, and how Demetrious didn’t want her back, harrison portrayed. Demetrius really well as he showed no interest in Ellie‘s character. Ellie showed the sexual side to Helena very well. The roles of Helena seducing Demetrius worked really well and I liked the costuming and the setting. The lighting was very good and they learnt their lines very well. Well done.

I feel they could improve on the movement within their scene as they could have been more and more interaction. Between the couple movement they did was excellent, but they could have been more.

I feel within their peace they could have been more definite with their movements and not hesitant towards what they’re doing. They should be strong within their movement and commit to it, but overall fantastic. 

Gracie and verity 

Gracie and Verity's portrayal of Helena and Demetrius was a standout performance marked by their undeniable chemistry. Their ability to convey the intricacies of their characters' relationship added a layer of authenticity, making the audience emotionally invested in the unfolding story.

The emotional depth they brought to the characters was particularly commendable, allowing the audience to connect with the complexities of love and relationships. Gracie and Verity demonstrated a keen understanding of Helena and Demetrius, bringing their unique personalities to life with conviction.

Moreover, the duo showcased moments of genuine vulnerability and passion, creating a captivating dynamic that undoubtedly resonated with the audience. Their commitment to the roles and the nuances of the characters contributed significantly to the overall success of the performance.

While every performance has areas for growth, it's important to highlight the positive aspects. Gracie and Verity's chemistry, emotional depth, and character understanding were the cornerstones of a memorable and engaging acting piece. Encouraging them to continue exploring these strengths will undoubtedly lead to even more impactful performances in the future.

Teacher feedback

Lola, Your Shakespearean performance of Bottom displayed an impressive range of acting techniques. It's clear that you've put in the effort to understand and incorporate various approaches, adding depth and authenticity to your portrayal. Keep exploring different techniques to continue expanding your skill set. You clearly understood the comedic element of the character and engaged the audience with this. Navigating Shakespearean language can be challenging, but your ability to explore and integrate acting techniques effectively in this context was clear, you were engaging and use tone and pace effectively. Your understanding the tones of the language contributed to an engaging performance.Your progress in developing your Shakespearean role through workshops and rehearsals was evident. Through these you were able to understand the character, scene, style of the play and this was reflected in your performance. Keep embracing the collaborative nature of workshops—it's a valuable part of the learning journey. You successfully brought the character to life, capturing the essence of the role and showcasing a promising ability to handle the challenges of classical theatre, you made the audience laugh and showed some brilliant character and facial expressions. The authenticity and enthusiasm you brought to the stage resonated well with the audience. Your awareness of the audience's connection is a valuable skill that will continue to develop with more experience. Your application of a dynamic range of skills, styles, and techniques added vibrancy to your portrayal. Continue to explore different facets of your character, embracing the highs and lows to create a well-rounded performance. Keep honing your skills, stay curious, and enjoy the journey of discovering the rich tapestry of classical acting. Congratulations on a job well done.