Rehearsals for Love's Labour's Lost

In a Shameless bit of double promotion, here is a Blog about a show I am in and some photos I have taken. (For Season Dates and Booking information - http://www.theatre.asn.au/production/2011/loves_labours_lost)

For the past month or so, we have been rehearsing a play in a fully contained theatre in preparation for a show that will be presented in an open air theatre similar in style to what most people believe as Shakespearian Theatre. The Dolphin Theatre (where we have been rehearsing) is a wonderful theatrical space and I have been in a few shows there.

Cast rehearsing Love's Labour's Lost in the Dolphin

Tuesday night we finally had a full rehearsal on the New Fortune. Located within the grounds of UWA, it is claimed that this is the closest thing Australia has to a traditional Shakespearian Theatre. Now it is one thing to become accustomed to the acoustics of a enclosed theatre, but to then translate them on to the New Fortune...

Berowne pleads his case, New Fortune

I have done one show previously in this stage, and only had several small roles so my experience was rather limited. therefore I was rather ill-prepared for the higher levels of resonance the space gave back. After our first night, I feel that it is actually easier to project in this space than in any other theatre I have performed in. There is a catch; Echo. Although very subtle it is there and at odd moments had that queasy feeling, much like when you are talking and hearing your voice echoed back a fraction of a second later.

It is why radio presenters tell you to turn off the radio when you speak to them over the phone. This fractional echo can confuse the brain and cause you to involuntarily paused. However, while I did not ask anyone, I seemed to be the only one affected so maybe I have a defective brain. I know some who would agree to that.

The Dance of the Letter, New Fortune

None the less, the space is deceptive. From the audience point of view, it does not appear like a very large stage, but very much like the Doctor's TARDIS, there is far more space on the New Fortune, which now means that much of the blocking we developed in the Dolphin has to be stretched a little. Conversely, things that had seemed a little tight previously have room to move. We knew this before going into rehearsals of course, but to actually experience it is another matter.

Another important thing to note about the theatre is the proximity of the audience. The pit in front of the stage means that patrons will be right there, literally at the actor's feet. In traditional Shakespearian Theatre, these members of the audience were called the Groundlings and they were expected to stand for the performances paying rock bottom prices for the privilege.Those with wealth and rank (or atleast wanted others to believe they had wealth and rank) would pay higher prices and take seats in the tri-level seating around the outter edge, as we will be doing, not the price, just the seating, except I think we will only have two levels...

Wooing the Groundlings, New Fortune

Well, tonight we will all gather again to refine one of Shakespeare's funniest and most intellectual scripts. While I think it is going very well, I am biased. So I will hoenstly say that I hope we do it, and our director, justice.

Director, Grant Malcolm, New Fortune