Working with Naturalistic Exercises

Recently we have been studying and using exercises that focus on:

Awareness of Muscles

Control of Muscles

Observation of Everyday Activities
Centers of Gravity

Consider these questions...

To what extent are the type of exercises we have been working with of use to...

a) the acting student
b) the actor
c) anyone and everyone in everday life
d) you

Conceptualising 2 - Overall Concept

There have been a number of different interpretations of MND over the years.  As you have researched Adrian Noble chose to conceptualise his version as a circus. 

Others have relocated the action away from the traditional enchanted wood. Some have even used the play a a metaphor for the effects that narcotics have on society (I'll leave you to consider that one).

How would you present MND?
What would your over-arching concept of the play be like?

What would be the point?  How would it be relevant?

Where would it be located?

The important thing to rememeber are...

1.  It is a comedy.
2.  There need to be two distinct realms.
3.  The audience need to be able to automatically feel 'ok' with whatever you do.

Your ideas please...

Conceptualising 1 - Music Supports Meaning

Music supports the audience's understanding of theatre.

Music can...

Link to character
Tell the story
Show themes
Amuse
Divert
Promote thought
Reassure
Enliven
Calm

Everyone post at least two pieces of music of any type from any era which would support a production of MND. 

You should include the title, the artist, why you think it is suitable for this play, a moment when it could be used.

Costume Design

On a fundamental level theatre is about design.

With this in mind I would like you to follow the link below to one of the best costume resources on the web.

www.milieux.com/costume/

 

With any character in mind I would like you to locate an appropriate piece of costume for the character.

 

Post the link to the page which contains that piece of costume.

 

Write a brief description telling us which item on the page you have chosen for which character and why.

 

 

 

 

Satire

Satire is the holding up to ridicule of human vice and folly.

What are the targets of Shakespeare's satire in MND?

How does he ridicule these targets?

Be precise in your answers.

Sonnet 130

SONNET 130

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask'd, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
   And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
   As any she belied with false compare.

Respond to this Shakespearean sonnet.

(In what ways does it deal with similar themes as MND?)

MND

Never approach a show unless you know how it has been done before.

This is a theatrical golden rule.  You need to know what has gone before so that no-one will accuse you of copying another version and so you can build on ideas from previous productions.  A play as old as MND has been on quite a journey, you need to understand this before you can stage it.

First five postings...

Find out about Peter Brook's production of MND.  Post a paragraph that shares your findings.

The rest....

Find out about Adrian Noble's version of MND.  Post a paragraph that shares your findings.