christmas carol

9th September
We were introduced to the play we were to perform in December, A Christmas carol. We began to discuss what we already know about this story. We did this by brainstorming the themes that the play brings ... and also we wrote a simplified synopsis of the play to show our understanding of the play and also we were able to detect any missing crucial information by comparing it to the script.
We watched a 1951 film and discussed our ideas.




19th Septemeber

On this day we worked on a dramatic freeze-frame which is also known as a tableau, which is usually used to describe a vivid living scene. We first worked on the opening tableau which includes nearly everyone, its the first thing we want the audience to see, and interpret, we then begin to gradually bleed off the stage, letting the play flow. The second tableau worked on was a party scene, we then begin to dance in sync, we did this by paying attention to each other. We learnt a similar technique earlier in March when we performed as an ensemble.




25th September

In order for everyone to stay organised and on track, we all devised a Christmas carol timeline, planning what we should focus on and what we should have done by each month.
In September, we wanted to have our casting done, and then start learning our lines and songs.
In October we plan to start looking at and creating choreography. We also agreed we wanted to be off-book with lines and songs by then and focus on rehearsing mainly, and have most of the choreography learnt and off book by the end of October -latest.
November, we would like to have found our sounds including music tracks, all of our choreography learnt, our costumes chosen and decided. It's also important that we can function in our chosen costumes so we would like to practice our choreography in our costumes, rehearsals and lighting.
And in December we would like to focus on tech and dress rehearsals and be ready for the 12 and 14 the of December.

 9th October

 Today we did hot seating for each character in order to build up a background and individualism to the characters. The first person to be hot-seated was Abe, who plays Fred, we asked questions in order to find out what his interpretation of Fred is:
(Notes)
FRED
- Feels neutral about Scrooge, good man
-Past times - playing golf with the children
-Children: 2 ( Lenny and George)
- Occupation; works in a museum
- Past occupation; workhouses
-Education: Oxford
-6/7 when mother died
-Wish he didn't drink alcohol as much
-Regrets his marriage
-Mid 20's when married
-Met his wife at scrooge's wedding

BOB CRATCHIT (Abdul):
- Past-times: work and with family
- Feels guilty for tiny-Tim's death
- Attends church quite regularly
- Doesn't feel guilty for the number of children he has
- Does believe Scrooge has the potential to change
- 'If you could go back in time, what would you change?' - Nothing.
- " Mr Scrooge is a good man at heart
- Argues frequently with his wife about Scrooge
- Favourite colour: Blue
- Favourite meal: Steak and potatoes
- Christianity: Faithfulness is not as strict, not as committed as he would like to be
-His favourite part of Christmas is watching the children open gifts
- 'what type of gifts?' - if not anything, play games, '' The christmas spirit is their christmas gift''
- ''Christmas is the best time to be holy''

Note: He was told he kept breaking character and was beginning to sound like himself and not his character, Bob.

FEZZIWIG ( brad)
- Relationship status: Married (10 years)
- 'Do you believe in God?' - No
- Occupation: Manager (20 years) - use it to be an apprentice
-Guilty pleasure: drinks, likes to get rowdy with his wife
- Likes Christmas just to be happy and throw parties
- 'have you ever hit rock bottom?' - Rough patch with his wife
- Favourite meal: Roast beef
- Children? - No, sees his apprentices as children
-Money is important to happiness

YOUNG SCROOGE ( Kamal)
- Age: 23
-  Believes Fezziwig is a good chap and is very good to him
- Religious? - Not religious, man of science
- Going through 'things' with Belle, but will get through it
- Guilty pleasure: If he particularly enjoys the food at a party, he will put it in a container to save for later

- Takes pride in his appearance
- Favourite food - Seafood, steak
- Health or money: '' Wealth ''

FANN ( Molly )
- Her father usually treats her very well, except for when he drinks
- Writes to brother every week, used to be every day
- No longer studies
- Enjoys sewing
- Favourite colour - Blue
- Relationship status: ''no''

- Age: 19
-Mother died giving birth to her brother
-Age distance with Scrooge: A few years
- ' Do you see yourself as a mother  figure towards Scrooge?' - Helps him out but not un a motherly way


10th October
(Continuation of Hot seating)
PLUMP GIRL ( Ilonka / ME)

plump girl character doesn't have a name because she isn't one of the main characters in the story. Plump means quite curvy and full. Around the Victorian Era in which this is set in, plump women were seen as attractive because it indicated wealth and good health.
There's not much to know about her from the script, she doesn't even have a name.
in order to begin characterization, I began to think about how she would act, taking all the information from her lines and picturing how it's said. I decided that she is a very cheerful, ditzy and bubbly person.
The name I decided is Eve Green because she was born on the 24th of December, Christmas Eve
she is 21.
Her favourite colour is purple because it symbolises wealth and royalty
She had a twin who died at birth, her parents always made sure she knew she their gift and made her appreciate her life, she decided she must live for herself and her stillborn sister or brother
she loves fashions and design and works as a seamstress assistant even though her parents don't agree with her choices they allow her because they dont want to drive her away as their only child. Her favourite food is Turkey roast and beans and chips and some brandy to wash it down with
during the hot seat, I didn't know exactly what questions would be thrown my way but I had prepared the ABOVE information and they were all used because the questions I assumed that would be asked were asked.

The interesting questions asked below are:

'do I believe in god or is it forced?'
- I believe in God, I was raised that way, it's not forced, it's just the way things are, the will of God'

'am I always so happy?'
- Well I try to be, a lot of people have it harder than me, I am definitely one of the lucky ones, thanks to God, I must repay him by giving out the joyful and positive energy

'Dark past?'
-No, I was just an angry child, who went trhough a lot of teen angst but then i was spiritually awakened

'how did she meet Fred?'
-I met Fred in school and he offered me a drink, apple juice of course, and I accepted, and from then on we became close friends

'What do you want to be?'
-A fashion designer, I want to influence what people wear

Am I liberal?
-''Yes! Not many people who think like me in this day of age but I am noticing that many women are secretly liberal!''

'Are you charitable?'
-Very good with children and loves to give to the needy and also her nieces and nephews

'What do I think of Fred's wife?'

-''I think he could do a lot better, but as long as he is happy that is all i want for my friend''

Is there a rivalry between me and Fred's wife?
-'Never, but if she were to feel some kind of way that would be her problem not mine!'


Martha


11th October
Organised the running order and thought about themes we wanted to give to the audience :

31st October
We choreographed Fezziwig's party dance
[video] - the style of dancing is not like today but more like the Victorian, where boys and girls are paired up and dance in sync.

1st November
We choreographed Fred's party dance, this one uses a modern song so the dance is more modern also.
[video]

Feedback
Marley - more expression in his voice
Fred - be happier, sound happier, he sounds too passive aggressive
Belle and young scrooge need more work
Cratchits need to become minor when scrooge speaks on the side
Tablos were forgotten on the second act
Freds party- game has a good energy, it's playful and funny
Work on cues
Keep energy high when Scrooge decides to change for the better

Idea! :
Jaychelle - silhouette dressed in all black used when the narrator sets the scene

14th November
Choreographed the closing dance to 'Merry Christmas - Everybody'
[videos]
last week starting 20th nov


Evaluation