Improvised Lead

We were in a circle and took it in turns to enter the circle and act out a scenario through leading with different parts of the body. This meant that we were experimenting with using different ways of moving our bodies which we can use to experiment more with how our characters might move.

I'd never been told the concept of leading with different parts of the body so this was intriguing to me, however, it made me quite nervous. This nervousness was heightened when we were told not to try and think of a character but to let it come as you move more with that body part leading.

When it came to my turn I was given elbow. I had observed others before me who had been given the same lead so intially found myself copying their movements. However, after this did not inspire any character for me I started to experiment more with different levels and paces as well as how I held my arm. I found that the lead suited well to a more timid character as it could act as a defence mechanism in order to protect themself.

Honey Walk

Within this workshop we did an exercise called 'Honey Walk'. For this we had to walk individually around the room while being given different scenarios.


Scenarios We Were Given:
- Extreme wind
- Hot, sunny day
- Muddy field
- Ice covered floor
- Pitch black
- Huge concert


This was a very odd experience for me as I felt it quite difficult to really commit to the exercise. Luckily I did eventually get into the right mind-set for the exercise and found it really strange that I started to truly feel the effects of the scenario I was in. I found this quite an exciting prospect and did find myself enjoying the experience.
I started to think of the effect each one had on my physicality. 


My findings:
- Wind
I felt my balance was towards the front in order to fight the harsh winds. My spine hunched over quite a bit giving me a closed physicality for protection.


- Sun
Not very grounded, almost walking on tip-toes. Light. Free spine with a very relaxed posture. I felt my body was quite open in order to take in the sun's rays.


- Mud
Massively grounded as my feet were stuck to the ground. Slouched. Slightly breathless from effort. 


- Ice
This was one of my favourites as you were able to observe quite a few different reactions to the ice. Quite a few people enjoyed the new scenario. Light on their feet, open, ice-skating. However, a few (including me) went for the exact opposite approach. I placed my feet very carefully, leading with the toes, trying to keep my weight balanced, stiff spine.


- Dark
This was quite difficult as, although we did have the lights off, we were still able to see one another. Within this section I felt quite nervous and jumpy, I lead by my hands, tried to keep quite small, very grounded.


- Concert
For this there was a complete contrast to the darkness. Rather than keeping quiet, everyone was screaming and laughing. With the amount of jumping there was very little contact with the ground. Relaxed spine. Fast tempo and high energy.




How I Can Apply This:
I feel that this could help me greatly with my future character decisions. This is because, although we may not be in the exact same situation as was described, it is quite easy to link emotions with each element. Also, it supplied us with new, exciting ways of moving our body.

Issues and Where They Are Present In The Story

• Greed

Scrooge's whole existence is based around greed. He is completely consumed by money and wealth. Even at his partner's funeral he executed a business transaction. His late business partner Jacob Marley was also ruled by greed until he learns the error of his ways once he has passed.

• Poverty

Poverty is prevalent within this story. Other than Scrooge and his family there are very few people who possess wealth. The missionaries highlight the magnitude of the issue during the Victorian era.

• Illness/Disability

The majority of illness/disability within this novel is a direct cause of poverty. This is emphasized through the introduction of Tiny Tim. Due to the Cratchitt family's financial standing they are unable to fund the medical costs which would be incurred to treat his condition. 

• Past effecting future

This is the epitome of the story. It is based around the butterfly effect and how the smallest thing can make the biggest difference. In order to truly affect Scrooge and teach him their important lesson, the ghosts show that due to Scrooge's cruel, unfeeling ways he would not only die alone with no-one to mourn his passing, but he would also be the direct cause of Tiny Tim's death. This is also shown through the chains that Marley bares as a ghost. Each link of the chain symbolises his own greed during his life.

• Loss

During Ebenezer's time with The Ghost of Christmas Past we are shown just how much he has lost. Most of these losses are his relationships with people he had once been close to. 
One of the most iconic losses within A Christmas Carol is the loss of his first love, Belle. Their engagement had been called off by Belle due to his overwhelming obsession with expanding his fortune. He had replaced his love for her with his lust for money and, consequently, lost his chance of happiness. 
We also learn of his sister, Fan's death to childbirth. He had once been close to Fan and, through his resentment, also lost his relationship with his nephew Fred.
However, one of the first losses we learn of is the loss of his business partner, Jacob Marley. This would have been a tremendous loss in Scrooge's eyes. Not only did they gain their fortunes together, but Marley was also one of the only people that remained close to Scrooge after his consumption of wealth. Marley seems to be the only person within the story with similar goals to Scrooge.
Other than these relationship losses he also loses himself. We are made aware that Scrooge was not always this way. He was once a person that enjoyed life while being Fezziwig's apprentice. He forgets about all his other hopes and dreams when he becomes engrossed with gaining wealth.

• Regret, Remorse and Redemption

All three of these are evident throughout the story. As the visits from the three spirits progress Scrooge grows more and more aware of all the mistakes he has made within his life. This gives him the motivation to try and become a better person. 
Another person that shows a huge amount of regret is Marley. As a ghost he is forced to carry around tonnes of chain to symbolise all of his wrong-doings from his life. As repayment he is trying to warn Scrooge as to prevent the same fate befalling him.
Although it is not specified, the Chistmas Spirits might also be trying to make amends for their actions in past lives.

• Status

Like most stories based in the Victorian period, status is very clear in society. However, this also has added statuses with the story line and the ghosts.
For the story the ghosts have a very high status. This is because, although they cannot be put into a social class, they have a lot of power over Scrooge despite the fact that usually he would be of quite high standing.
Status is very important to Scrooge. This is evident when Belle points out that he would not pick her later on in his life due to her being dowerless. He would never marry under him, even for love.
There is a very obvious difference between the upper and lower class. I think that this is shown very clearly through the two different Christmas celebrations: Cratchitt's and Fred's.

• Equality

Again, this is shown predominantly through Cratchitt's family. Although they are perfectly happy they are in the lower class so cannot afford very much at all.
Within the script it shows a certain lack of equality between genders. Almost all of the male characters are given a name, excluding certain members such as Belle's Husband and Boy. Whereas a large number of the female cast are given names such as Fred's Wife and Mrs. Cratchitt. This reflects greatly on the views of gender during this era.

• Love

As well as the range of negative issues shown in the story, there is also a large amount of love displayed within it.
- Belle and Scrooge.
- Cratchit's family
- Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim
- Fred to Scrooge
- Theodore and Caroline
- Marley and Scrooge
- Fan and Scrooge
- Fezziwig and Mrs. Fezziwig
- Fezziwig family
- Fezziwig and employees
- Dick and Scrooge
- Belle and her daughter
- Belle and her husband
- Bob and Mrs. Cratchit
- Townspeople and Christmas
- Scrooge and his new life

• Salvation

-A Christmas Carol is the whole process of Scrooge learning of his salvation. All of the spirits involved are trying to show Scrooge that he can be saved from himself and prevent the fate shown to him.

Production Meeting

In our first meeting we were all put into the seperate responsibilities.
I am in props with James Leyshon and Steven Amos.
Within this responsibility we will have to:

• Go through script, listing any needed props.
• Add any extra props needed during blocking.
• Research props for the period.
• Source props (for free if possible).
• Set props ready for rehearsals/performances.
• Set up prop table (tape out sections for each prop to ensure none go missing).
• Ensure all props are secure at all times when not being used.

I am quite happy with the responsibility I've been given as I have been in charge of props for previous performances and found it quite enjoyable. I just hope that my other team members are as enthusiastic about their job as I am.

Other responsibilities:

• Stage Managers - Lauren-Michelle, Brad
• Publicity - Danae, Beth D, Oliver, Ellie
• Marketing - Jordan, Fraser
• Front of House - Billy J, Josh M, Adam M, Rosy P, Sophie H
• Costume - Poppy N, Jack S, Rich H
• Hair & Make-Up - Billy H, Beth P, Louisa H, Beccy S

Introduction

My college are going to be performing a production of A Christmas Carol over the December period.
When I first found out about this I was part intrigued, part hesitant about it. I was intrigued and excited as I have grown up with this story and am a big fan of the different portrayals of the novel. Such as the original book by Charles Dickens, the television adaptation directed by David Hugh Jones, as well as the new animated version starring Jim Carey. However, with my familiarity of the story, I was aware that it would most likely be quite a male dominated play but look forward to finding out Naomi's ideas.

We were told that her interpretation would be:

• Extremely character driven. - Based around each individual character filling the space.
• Based in the original period/era.
• Working from the outside-in. - Working first on the physicalities/gestures/stance/expression and then on the text analysis/thoughts/objectives/aims of the characters.
• Have quite a minimal set.
• Using full period costumes.

I greatly look forward to starting our work shops on our characters. This will be the first time I've started on the physicality of the character before emotions etc. so I'm curious as to how it will work for me.

- Ebony.