Week 8: A Room Full of Candles

Just a word about our Physical Theatre classes. A topic I think I've neglected a little because it's not my passion and I didn't choose to specialise in it. Nevertheless we still have a couple of classes in it per week (whether you've chosen it or not). Which I'm grateful for, because in the last couple of weeks we have been having a whale of a time. We have been portraying the Elements. Yes that's right, walking around the room like Earth, Air, Water or Fire. Capturing a way of moving that reflects each of these, for example: earth as solid, air as floaty, water as flowing and fire as crackling and bursting. My favourite moment was when we all stood together and were 'candles'. Open, shining faces, slightly bobbing to and fro atop our grounded bodies. It was so cute! (Doing fireworks was also fun, but rather more mental!)

And it's really interesting to see how simple things like this can translate in to theatre and character. For example: using earthy qualities to portray authoritative characters like bouncers or policemen; airy qualities to portray dreamers, open or spiritual characters. A few people have asked what Physical Theatre is, compared to just 'Theatre'. Physical Theatre aims to portray its meaning (a story, a moral, anything) primarily through movement of the body instead of dialogue. So you have to be very physically aware of yourself, your posture, every little movement and what they imply to the audience: what you can make them imply.

We have also looked at Masks. And had the privilege of seeing our director bring in and work with a number of masks he has made over the years. It was great to see him in his element.

 
It's fascinating to see a group of people you know all wearing Neutral Masks and yet somehow still portraying different characteristics. Learning to be neutral before overlaying the intended detail is a definite skill.

Despite not taking Physical Theatre as a specialisation, I am really enjoying the process of learning to appreciate more the value and impact of physicality and precision of movement in performance – and hope to translate that in to my own pieces. Our Christmas show will be themed around the Elements...so you'll be hearing more of this!

Week 7: Fresh-faced again

We're just coming back from a week's break at circus school. (The joys of having a half term! Seriously, they should be introduced in to adult life, not just at school: I can't remember the last time I was obliged to rest! Amazing.)

And we were seriously in need of it. If you could have seen us all in week 6 - classes regularly included 'cripples corner', where a bunch of three, four or even five sick or injured sad circus students would sit out the class and enviously watch their full-health classmates continuing to play. Myself included - straining a muscle at the beginning of the week. Lesson learned: don't try a particularly strenuous move at the end of the day when you're exhausted, and don't assume it'll be ok to train on again after just one night's rest. So I ended up missing three days, including my Friday afternoon trapeze presentation. I'd been looking forward to this particular week and presentation all half term, but then when I got there, it became the most difficult and daunting. Probably because it's the discipline I care about most. That I most wanted to do well in. So I worried too much, compared myself to everyone else, and overtrained, taking myself out of the picture entirely!

But watching everyone else was a real treat. I was so impressed by the amount of variety, creativity and everyone's strength - especially those who had never done aerial before. And whilst it is daunting to think of the number of aerialists out there competing for jobs, especially those with dance and performance backgrounds (they are annoyingly graceful up in the air!), it's great to be making the most of these three months, and being in a collaborative environment where I can steal...err, I mean learn...moves from everyone around me ;-). But also find my own style too, what's unique about my own performance.

The other funny thing about half term was being 'normal' again. It was really weird. It decidedly did not feel normal at all. I took a brief trip back to London and it felt very strange to be there. I got caught in rush hour at Canary Wharf; I popped back in to my old office to say 'hi' and shuddered at the rows and rows of desks. (I was also made to juggle fruit as proof of my initiation in to the circus world ;-) ). It was clear to me and everyone I met that I am absolutely doing what I am meant to be doing right now. Bring on the next five weeks!

Week 5: Turns out I love Juggling!

 I wish I could explain in words just how insane, magical and bizarre my Friday afternoon was. (Friday is always presentation day, with each of the disciplines taking their turn: last week was Acro; this week was Equilibristics & Manipulation – that's juggling to the un-initiated!) I sat in the gym and listened to a three minute excerpt of Rossini's La Gazza Ladra (Thieving Magpie) thirty-four times. In a row. Whilst watching each one of my fellow classmates in turn prance about with a random object of their choice. And prancing we were. How I would have loved to see the look on my old manager's face. In fact, any of your faces who weren't there. Words really can't describe how glorious and insane and liberating it has been to stand back in class this week, glance about the room and see the studious look on everyone's faces as they throw, catch, slide, and manipulate a basket, a hat, a scarf, a bucket, a shoe or a wheel (or my own choice – a hot water bottle – and no, the video will not be posted!) around the room and their body. Yes, that's really what we did this week. Bonkers, but fantastic. Did anyone make any high art? I don't think so. But that's not the point. It was just an exploration. Of objects and what they and you can do.

And earlier in the week, during Performance classes playing Blood Potato, Cat and Mouse, stepping on each other's toes, or 'keepy-uppy' with a volleyball, and a whole host of other completely inexplicable games to anyone who wasn't in the room at the time ('Do the Opposite!'). It is so refreshing and feels like I'm back at playtime. There are 'serious' reasons behind all of these exercises of course – like making you less inhibited, or notice the 'honest' moments in performance. But mainly it's just fun. I've never smiled and laughed as much as I have here.

And I've discovered that I really like juggling! Who knew just how addictive it is? (Well, ok, my juggler classmate did warn me). And now I have a shiny new set of red, white and blue juggling balls that I can't put down. This week was also decision time for our two specialisations - and alongside Aerial I've put down E&M :) .

It was a bit of a surprise to find myself rather fearful of Acro, which I assumed would be a close contender for my second specialisation. It's also been amusing to hear our teachers thoroughly slate each other's disciplines this week: our Physical Theatre teacher told us if we pick both Acro & Aerial we can expect to get sick and injured a lot! And perhaps he is right. I feel I have chosen wisely, especially given my short time here, and that my choices will give me more strength and energy for the skills I'm really passionate about. Once we specialise we get a lot more of our own time – so I can also get back on the Chinese Pole, which I've hardly touched! (Apart from to see how I'm doing with Flag...) But I do love that we started by doing everything there is to offer at the school: it's passed too quickly already and I will definitely miss the disciplines I'm not taking.