Theatre Australia

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When to promp?

Sun, 25 Nov 2007, 11:16 am
Gordon the Optom23 posts in thread
In 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?

Promptly Remembered

Mon, 26 Nov 2007, 10:50 am

When to prompt - During rehearsals and at no other time, unless there is a theatrical need for a prompt. For example, I took part in a one act play many years ago where we slap-sticked everything up a notch or two. We decided to have a prompt as a part of the show. We made a thing of it.

I do not believe in prompts during a show. It creates a safety net where the actor may get complacent or lazy. It can break the suspension of belief for the audience whom I believe expect higher levels or realism than compared to decades, even centuries past.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

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