When to promp?
Sun, 25 Nov 2007, 11:16 amGordon the Optom23 posts in thread
When to promp?
Sun, 25 Nov 2007, 11:16 amThe 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?
Trust you ;-)
Mon, 26 Nov 2007, 12:20 pmSuspension of belief vs realism. I meant suspension of belief and I guess naturalism would have been better. Trust you to pick that one up Stinger ;-)
What I was trying to get at is that personally, as an actor and knowing there is a prompt there, I find that it creates an unreal situation for me. If I as the actor am feeling that way, then it must in some way translate to the Audience and, I would think, to the detriment of the performance. Shows I have seen where a prompt is used, actors tend to telegraph their cues more, portray themselves with less energy, lose much of their spontaneity, and so on and so forth. When there is no fall back but each other, then the feeling of teamwork and energy is part of what keeps the show running.
Besides, having a whispered (or not) voice off-stage saying "I should throttle ..." from an audience point of view can be very off-putting, especially when the show is some sort of dramatic thriller.
Absit invidia
Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director