Throughout the week, we did a full run-throughs. We began as usual with warmups. We then went straight into performance.
It had been suggested that I experiment with my character and make him larger. I did this with success during today's rehearsals. Between some of Zangler's and Hupfer's lines, Zangler makes a few jokes. Both myself and the actor playing Zangler tried to laugh in a grotesque manner, and then mimic it exactly the second time he makes a joke. During feedback, we were told that this works well, but we need more practice doing it. Another thing I tried was to change the delivery of the line: "Please, Herr Zangler, can we please keep our minds on the tunic." Originally, I had said it in a scolding fashion. But I have discovered that it is more humorous if I deliver out almost entirely to the audience with only occasional glances at Zangler while emphasising Zangler's unintentional innuendo.
While assistant directing, I tried to help with the blocking. For example, I suggested that instead of opening the play with a freeze-frame of Zangler and Gertrud, we should just have Gertrud on-stage alone in freeze-frame while Zangler walks on with his first line. I thought that this suited Getrud's character more as one of her character traits is an exaggerated lack of movement. My director agreed with me and it was implemented into the performance.
We did a runthrough infront of the cast of the other play on Friday. I think doing this helped spark an energetic performance for myself and the rest of the cast. While playing Hupfer, the adrenaline helped me become an even larger character than I was during rehearsals. My short speech as the translator got a lot of laughs and was described later by an audience member as "one of the funniest parts of the play." This feedback helped me as I know I must maintain the speech exactly as it is.
The director suggested that during 'Madame Knorr's Shop' scene, I should catch Weinberl's cane when he throws it during the dance, and then throw it back to him after the dance. I caught the cane sucessfully but when it was time to throw it back, I found that there were three people inbetween me and Weinberl. To avoid the risk of hitting someone, I decided to slide it across the floor instead. This only worked on my second attempt. We have now decided that it's not necessary to catch the cane anymore.
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