31/10/2012 On The Razzle

We began with some vocal warmups to improve our diction and projection; things that will be essential in this play. Our director then decided that we would try and run the entire play with little stopping time to enable the actors to understand the essential pacing of the play and to devise facial and bodily expressions. During the rehearsals today, I took a few notes on the actor's performances. I will give these before rehearsals tomorrow so that they are fresh in the minds of the actors.

When it was my time to play Hupfer, I implemented the characterization I had devised in Phil Green's lesson. I have now characterized Hupfer as less of an incompetent, patronizing snob, and more of a delusional, manic lunatic. One way in which I did this was by adding vibrato in the middle of some of my words. I am also ensuring that I'm am always animated on stage, such as scratching myself or moving my hair. I also included a small shriek when Melchoir threw the dummy at me. I plan to practice this shriek to make it more comical and less irritating.

04/10/2012 On The Razzle

We began with the opening shop scene where I played the character of Hupfer. I had originally played him pompous and snobbish, but the director thought that I should also try to make my character appear unhinged as well. I tried to accomplish this by constantly stroking back my hair and introducing a slight vibrato in my voice. During the scene I tried to show hostility towards the character of Melchoir by refusing to look him/her in the eye and by emphasising words about Melchoir with a slight harsh tone.

I was also given the role of a translator for Sonders in the cafe scene. I tried to make my voice overly generic for comic effect. I took inspiration from Sat-Nav voices and from 'Learn French' style audiobooks. When I say the words 'Hot Chocolate', I raise the intonation as if to make it more friendly.

03/10/2012 On The Razzle

We began with a scene where Weinberl and Christopher are riding Lightning into Vienna. They are both optimistic about what they'll find but soon realise that there is a good chance that they may be found out by Zangler. This was where I was assigned yet another small role of the only person marching in a parade. In preparation, I am going to have to practice marching in a rhythmic and consistent way while possibly clashing two symbols together.

We then moved on to Zangler's encounter with Melchoir before he arrives at Madame Knorr's shop. I gave a few small pieces of advice to the actor playing Zangler about how he should subtly emphasise his innuendos to strike a balance between the audience understanding and Zangler himself not understanding. I did this by suggesting times when he should face away from Melchoir and the timings of certain hand gestures.

The rehearsal came to a point where we were rehearsing the shop scene with Weinberl, Christopher, Philippine, Mrs. Knorr and Mrs. Fischer. I suggested that the actor playing Philippine should be a bit more fiery in her responses to Weinberl as she acts as counter to Weinberl's obvious and swiftly thought up lies.
I also suggested a few things about line delivery to the actor playing Mrs. Knorr such as slowing down her pronunciation to reflect her alcoholism. I also suggested that she carry a glass of wine in this scene.