When to promp?
Sun, 25 Nov 2007, 11:16 amGordon the Optom23 posts in thread
When to promp?
Sun, 25 Nov 2007, 11:16 amIn a play I saw recently, an actor was prompted whilst in full flow. Both actors were happy with the dialogue and the audience, I’m sure, unaware of any error.
The prompt given, was a completely different line to that being spoken. The actors ignored it and carried on regardless. It was obvious that the prompter was trying to get verbatim that which was on the page.
When does one prompt? Only when a deadly silence hits the stage? Or if the actor goes unnoticeably off track?
I refuse to use a prompt
Sun, 25 Nov 2007, 11:41 pmI always state loud and clearly, with any play that I direct, that there WILL BE NO PROMPT. I hate prompts. Hate hearing people being prompted, hate being prompted myself, hate being asked to prompt other people. Actors tend to rely on being prompted if they get into trouble, it can lead them to not worrying too much if they haven't quite got their lines down. Not Good Enough! The last week of any of my plays I refuse to let anyone be prompted - if they fall in a hole they can damn well get out of it. I insist that everyone on stage at any given moment is equally responsible for keeping the flow going. I insist that all actors must know the STORY, as well as their own lines. This is the only way to safeguard the flow. I too, recently saw a play here in Perth where the leading lady was prompted completely unnecessarily - she was obviously pausing. Had it been one of my plays the person who prompted her would have lost some blood and hair as a result.