Here is a vlog that reflects on my performance yesterday.

 

I was very happy with the responses from the audience after the performance this morning. Many said that it was a friendly and comfortable show to watch. They found that the stage set up helped to clearly place the action between the conscious and subconscious thoughts of the character. I felt the videos, lighting and sound seamlessly transitioned from one piece of action to the next, maintaining a sense of excitement thus keeping the audience’s attention (so thank you very much tech team, in particular Ferenc and Georgia).

Working through the module and after seeing the majority of solo performance shows (with one still to go) I have found that there is a great sense of freedom with creating a solo performance, which at points can be liberating but also has its risks. It is very easy to get lost in your own thoughts or to be happy with the first clear idea. I found early on that I needed to perform to people so that they could assess how the work was shaping up and whether it conveyed the appropriate atmosphere.

Well done to everyone involved in solo performances this year, It was brilliant to see such a great variety of performances and watch them develop from the initial ideas.

 

 

 

Here are two bits of footage that I created over the last few weeks. The first is where I wanted to create a video showing what it would look like if you photocopied your face. After recent changes, this is no longer part of the final show but I was happy with the end result.

 

 

The next clip is one of the chins that will feature in the final show in a montage of chins all talking at once.

 

Feel free to send me comments or feedback on the footage.

 

After the past few weeks of workshopping and rehearsals, I have found it necessary to change and edit my initial performance ideas. There were many factors that lead to this decision, but the main point was that the show still appeared like a collection of sketches, even with the transitions that were in place. I discovered that there was no through line of action that moved from one moment to the next. Also, the amount of multi-media and unique technical requirements such as the working photocopier became too much of a risk to rely on them. I felt that artistically, I had to have a show that could run even if all the multi-media failed during it.

My new concept is set within an office instead of an office party, as this will help me explore more themes related to the stigma behind office work. The piece still incorporates puppetry but there are narratives that now run throughout the entire piece that hold it all together. Firstly, there is a woman (symbolised by the sound of high heels walking passed the desk) who the office worker has a crush on and so the action revolves around his relationship with her. Also, the chin puppets remain as the stereotypes that run through the character’s head as he tries to cope with the stress and monotony of office life. In order to exaggerate this feeling further, I am going to remain stationary behind the desk, using the two televisions to create stage dynamics.

After working on this new concept for a couple of days, it has illustrated to me how important it is to question the value of your work. I feel an idea must be taken as far as it can so that you can see the possible end result. In this case, the end result was unclear and in need of fine tuning to suit my own performance style.  I aimed to incorporate influences from Paul Currie and The Boy With Tape On His Face, but by trying to utilise their techniques, I was limiting my own devising process.

I will be acquiring the video material very soon so I shall share that next time. Only two weeks until the show is performed 10.30 in studio 1.