Favorite Idea

From Macbeth:

The plot is determined by the Acronym of Macbeth

Masculinity
Ambiton
Cruelty or Corruption
Blood
Elements (as in supernatural)
Tyranny
Hallucinations

The plot is about a modern couple fairly resembling the characters and story of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth; but if not then at least their relationship and the problems within it.Each Letter of the Acronym marks a different scene that reveals more about their lives and their crumbling relationship and marriage. E.g. Masculinity could reveal a scene where the wife is clearly more powerful over the husband and it shows his lack of masculinity within their relationsship. Or e.g. Corruption could mean cheating on either side of the relationship to show the demoralization and fraud of the marriage.
Between each scene a person will walk on with a sign saying what the scene is about marking what the audience must look for in order to make sense of the story. Flashbacks and flash forwards could be included in the story.

Idea on Shakespeare retold

In rank order:

1) Macbeth - I feel this play contains the most themes in order to create a new spontaneous idea out of for our our devised play. Plus I really like the complexity of the some of the characters and the male and female relationships throughout the play, especially Macbeth's and Lady Macbeths.

2) The Tempest - One of my ideas for The tempest for a devised piece is very different than all the rest and is combined with a current musical so it is very creative and could involve comedy. Furthermore, Miranda has always been one of my favourite characters as well as the unforgiving hopelessness of the fools an Caliban.

3) A Midsummer Nights Dream - This has always been one of if not my favorite Shakespeare play but because I have studied it, performed it and read it so much I feel like I should try something new. However, I have a very weird, yet creative 'Shakespeare retold' idea that could if executed right could work very well, however it may be slightly limiting and therefore that is why it is low ranking.

4) King Lear
Apart from the fierceness of Reagan and Goneril, King Lear doesn't really appeal to me in terms of plot. I feel there is less action and no tremendous climax in terms of the play as a whole, however King Lear's speech could be determined as this. I am not very interested in using King Lear as a stimulus and therefore haven't developed any idea's from this play and is why it is ranked last.

Themes/Motifs in Macbeth

• Destruction
• Violence
• Murder
• Deceit
• Spite/Hatred
• Power (lust of)
• Witchcraft and disillusions/Hallucinations 
•  Blood

Synopsis of MacBeth

http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/summary.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/dramamacbeth/1drama_macbeth_plotrev1.shtml

The play opens as three witches plan a meeting with the Scottish Noble man Macbeth, who at that moment is fighting in a great battle. When the battle is over, Macbeth and his friend Banquo come across the witches who offer them three predictions: that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, and that Banquo's descendants will become kings.

Banquo laughs at the prophecies but Macbeth is excited, especially as soon after their meeting with the witches Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan, in return for his bravery in the battle. He writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth, who is as excited as he is. A messenger tells Lady Macbeth that King Duncan is on his way to their castle and she invokes evil spirits to help her slay him. Macbeth is talked into killing Duncan by his wife and stabs him to death. No-one is quite sure who committed this murder and no-one feels safe, but Macbeth is crowned king.

Now that Macbeth is king he knows the second prediction from the witches has come true, but he starts to fear the third prediction (that Banquo's descendants will also be kings). Macbeth therefore decides to kill Banquo and his son, but the plan goes wrong - Banquo is killed but his son escapes. Macbeth then thinks he is going mad because he sees Banquo's ghost and receives more predictions from the witches. He starts to become ruthless and kills the family of Macduff, an important lord. Macbeth still thinks he is safe but one by one the witches' prophecies come true, Lady Macbeth cannot stop thinking about Duncan, becomes deranged and dies. A large army marches on Macbeth's castle and Macbeth is killed by Macduff.

Own Synopsis

• Macbeth, a Scottish noblemen, after winning a great battle come across three witches with his friend Banquo.
• The three witches offer them three predictions in chronological order: Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor, King of Scotland, and Banquo's sons will become kings and that 'none of woman born shall harm Macbeth" and then finally "Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinaine Hill shall come against him." 
• Shortly after Macbeth is made King of Cawdor in return for his Bravery in the battle and become rather excited. He writes to his Wife, Lady Macbeth.
• Lady Macbeth believes to make the prophecy come true, they mist kill Duncan, the King and convinces Macbeth to do so.
• Macbeth is crowned King.
• Macbeth starts to fear the 3rd prediction as evidence shows the first two came true. The Witches also prophesied that ' He tries to kill Banquo and his son but his son escapes. 
• Macbeth begins to think he is going mad and kills Madcuff's family (a lord).
• Lady Macbeth is driven mad by what she has done and dies by 'self and violent hands'. It is not specified.
• An army marches to the Castle where Macbeth lives and he is killed by Madcuff because he was in fact born by Cesarean and therefore not 'woman born'.

Previous Productions of King Lear

1) King Lear (2008) - directed for the stage by Trevor Nunn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPdYIFyY43g

It show the foolishness and madness of Old King Lear, the cruelty and cunningness of his two unjust daughters and factors in the betrayal and panic-stricken rush for greed, possession and love. Starring Sir Ian Mckellen, Ben Addis and Frances Barber. Although bringing to life Shakespeare's story of King Lear by through a dramatic and engaging performance, the only criticism I would have would be the lighting (although this could be due to the quality of the video not the performance) and the stage scenery. It give a bare, dull atmosphere that is both mundane and lifeless to witness and experience. The acting is considerable and vast but unfortunately I feel that the lightning and lack of stage scenery make it less inviting and less enjoyable.

I am also not the only one who believes Ian McKellen as King Lear is superb:
http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2007/jun/01/theatre1


2)

Themes in King Lear

• Justice -Cordelia and her husband reach for justice when bringing their army and looking after the king
• Hatred - For King Lear by his two selfish daughters, for regan and Goneril by Cordelia etc. The hatred really motivates this play as well.
• Power - of land, relationships, of kingsmen, lack of power for King Lear, of love ....
• Control - of army, of peopel (manipulating)
• Scheming - against kingLear, the sisters with each other, it drives this play into paranoi and obsession over materialistic things.
• Betrayal - between family and loved ones. It also motivates revenge and justice.
• Reconciliation - This play could be argued that some of it ends in resolution due to forgiveness and reconciliation, but the tragedy of everyone dying could eradicate this.
• Love - lack of it for King Lear, for Goneril by her Husband, however Cordelia's love reigns for her father

Summary of Synopsis

• King Lear becomes old and tired and therefore decides to retire and split his kingdom between his three daughters. But first he wants to find out who loves him most. Goneril and Reagan being wicked and cunning professed their love for their father with fakery and extravagent gestures while his youngest daughter, Cordelia knows that she need say nothing to her father for love so string cannot be put into measurable words. however, King Lear thinking she is disgraceful and not worthy, gives her nothing and splits his kingdom between Goneril and Reagan, keeping 100 kinsmen for himself.
• The Earl of Kent, being one of the King's trustworthy and favorite courtiers vouches for Cordelia but is banished for his betrayal yet he actually returns in disguise of a servingman.
• Cordelia marries the King of France and inherits the lands and prfits of her husband, including an army.
• King Lear goes to live with Goneril, yet with her hatred of her father she commands her servants to ignore him and refuse his orders. She restricts him of his kingsmen to only a few and sends him off to her sister's.
• Her sister, boasting of more hatred for their father, treats him worse and takes away more and more of his kingsmen. Their father seeing that they mean to drive him away wanders out into the wilderness on a stormy night in despair and misery only to be accompanied by his fool and then met by The Earl of kent, who then upon finding out what has happened goes to tell Cordelia in the court of France.
• Cordelia brings an army to Dover and looks after her father while Goneril and Reagan bring their army to fight back and were victorious. They have King Lear and Cordelia thrown in jail with Cordelia to be hanged. Meanwhile Goneril's husband, Duke of Albany, finally realizes how wicked his wife is and so upon hearing this Goneril kills herself not before giving a deadly poison to her sister out of jealousy and both sisters die.
• The Duke of Albany wishes to warn and stop Cordelia's hanging in light of the death of his wife and sister but is too late and she suffers the same fate as her sisters. King Lear, being alone and weak, dies.

King Lear Synopsis

Resource Link

King Lear was old and tired. He was aweary of the business of his kingdom, and wished only to end his days quietly near his three daughters. Two of his daughters were married to the Dukes of Albany and Cornwall; and the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France were both suitors for the hand of Cordelia, his youngest daughter. 

Lear called his three daughters together, and told them that he proposed to divide his kingdom between them. "But first," said he, "I should like to know much you love me." 

Goneril, who was really a very wicked woman, and did not love her father at all, said she loved him more than words could say; she loved him dearer than eyesight, space or liberty, more than life, grace, health, beauty, and honor. 

"I love you as much as my sister and more," professed Regan, "since I care for nothing but my father's love." 
Lear was very much pleased with Regan's professions, and turned to his youngest daughter, Cordelia. "Now, our joy, though last not least," he said, "the best part of my kingdom have I kept for you. What can you say?" 
"Nothing, my lord," answered Cordelia. 
"Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again," said the King. 
And Cordelia answered, "I love your Majesty according to my duty--no more, no less." 
And this she said, because she was disgusted with the way in which her sisters professed love, when really they had not even a right sense of duty to their old father. 
"I am your daughter," she went on, "and you have brought me up and loved me, and I return you those duties back as are right and fit, obey you, love you, and most honor you."
Lear, who loved Cordelia best, had wished her to make more extravagant professions of love than her sisters. "Go," he said, "be for ever a stranger to my heart and me." 

The Earl of Kent, one of Lear's favorite courtiers and captains, tried to say a word for Cordelia's sake, but Lear would not listen. He divided the kingdom between Goneril and Regan, and told them that he should only keep a hundred knights at arms, and would live with his daughters by turns. 

When the Duke of Burgundy knew that Cordelia would have no share of the kingdom, he gave up his courtship of her. But the King of France was wiser, and said, "Thy dowerless daughter, King, is Queen of us--of ours, and our fair France." 
"Take her, take her," said the King; "for I will never see that face of hers again." 

So Cordelia became Queen of France, and the Earl of Kent, for having ventured to take her part, was banished from the kingdom. The King now went to stay with his daughter Goneril, who had got everything from her father that he had to give, and now began to grudge even the hundred knights that he had reserved for himself. She was harsh and undutiful to him, and her servants either refused to obey his orders or pretended that they did not hear them. 

Now the Earl of Kent, when he was banished, made as though he would go into another country, but instead he came back in the disguise of a servingman and took service with the King. The King had now two friends--the Earl of Kent, whom he only knew as his servant, and his Fool, who was faithful to him. Goneril told her father plainly that his knights only served to fill her Court with riot and feasting; and so she begged him only to keep a few old men about him such as himself. 

"My train are men who know all parts of duty," said Lear. "Goneril, I will not trouble you further--yet I have left another daughter." 

And his horses being saddled, he set out with his followers for the castle of Regan. But she, who had formerly outdone her sister in professions of attachment to the King, now seemed to outdo her in undutiful conduct, saying that fifty knights were too many to wait on him, and Goneril (who had hurried thither to prevent Regan showing any kindness to the old King) said five were too many, since her servants could wait on him. 

Then when Lear saw that what they really wanted was to drive him away, he left them. It was a wild and stormy night, and he wandered about the heath half mad with misery, and with no companion but the poor Fool. But presently his servant, the good Earl of Kent, met him, and at last persuaded him to lie down in a wretched little hovel. At daybreak the Earl of Kent removed his royal master to Dover, and hurried to the Court of France to tell Cordelia what had happened. 

Cordelia's husband gave her an army and with it she landed at Dover. Here she found poor King Lear, wandering about the fields, wearing a crown of nettles and weeds. They brought him back and fed and clothed him, and Cordelia came to him and kissed him. 

"You must bear with me," said Lear; "forget and forgive. I am old and foolish." 

And now he knew at last which of his children it was that had loved him best, and who was worthy of his love. 

Goneril and Regan joined their armies to fight Cordelia's army, and were successful; and Cordelia and her father were thrown into prison. Then Goneril's husband, the Duke of Albany, who was a good man, and had not known how wicked his wife was, heard the truth of the whole story; and when Goneril found that her husband knew her for the wicked woman she was, she killed herself, having a little time before given a deadly poison to her sister, Regan, out of a spirit of jealousy. 

But they had arranged that Cordelia should be hanged in prison, and though the Duke of Albany sent messengers at once, it was too late. The old King came staggering into the tent of the Duke of Albany, carrying the body of his dear daughter Cordelia, in his arms. 

And soon after, with words of love for her upon his lips, he fell with her still in his arms, and died.

Previous Productions of The Tempest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDyGl2uIQ-Q

This film adaptation by Julie Taymore starring Helen Mirrem as Prospero and Felicity Jones as Miranda is slightly weird but whats interesting is it challenges the normal story-line and gender-based themes and analogy. The adaptation brings to the screen the drama and atmosphere which is often the case with cinematic productions. Because of the way it is acted and the lack of limitations this film holds it is perhaps easier to understand the language due to the actions and composition and therefore although, wacky I do like it.

Main Themes of The Tempest

• Power - the lack of it and fight for it as well as use of it by prospero/The King etc.
• Control - of the Island, of love, of servants, of magic.
• Betrayal - plotting against masters and enemies e.g Caliban and Pospero.
• Revenge - This ties in with Power and control and getting it back through means of revenge
• Forgiveness - combined with resolution at the end of the play

Click here for scene examples of when themes are exampled in the play

Synopsis of The Tempest

Resource link

Own Synopsis

The Tempest follows the story of Prospero, a sorcerer and the rightful Duke of Milan and his daughter Miranda who were once set adrift on a boat as result of the Duke's brother, Antonio and the king of Naples, Alonso plot to steal the throne 12 years before. At present in the play they now are marooned upon an island where Prospero is served by Ariel, a spirit who he once freed from a tree. The story begins with a storm, summoned by Prospero, to shipwreck his enemies who sail near by with only scattered survivors making it to shore. The son on Alonso, Ferdinand is lured towards Ariel because of his singing and meets Miranda where she feels infactuated by him and tus a romance begins. Meanwhile Antonio, Alonso, Sebastian, and Gonzalo go in search of Ferdinand, however Antonio and Sebastian now plot to murder Alonso, however Ariel intervenes.

Meanwhile, the fools of the play, Stephano and Trinculo meet Caliban and plot to kill Prospero so that Caliban can rule the Island himself.

The climax of the play include Prospero descending trickery upon Alonso and Antonio by creating a magical baquet for them that disappears every time they try to eat it, and also sends Ariel in disguise of a harpy to scare the men as well as sending Ariel to punish Caliban and the foolsmen for the crime of engineering their own plot of murder.

Resolution occurs when Prospero finally confronts his brother and Alonso revealing his identity and demanding that he be restored the throne as the rightful Duke of Milan. He rebukes Sebastian for plotting against his own brother and reveals to Alonso that Ferdinand is alive and has married Miranda. Prospero then releases Ariel and Caliban of their services and leaves his magic behind to return back to Naples/.

The Tempest Characters

• Alonso, King of Naples
• Sebastian, his brother
• Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan
• Antonio, his brother; the usurping Duke of Milan
• Ferdinand, son of the King
• Gonzalo, an old and honest councilor
• Adrian, a lord
• Francisco, a lord
• Caliban, Prospero's slave
• Trinculo, a jester
• Stephano, a drunken butler
• Master of a ship
• Boatswain
• Mariners
• Miranda, Prospero's daughter
• Ariel, an airy spirit
• Iris, a spirit
• Ceres, a spirit
• Juno, a spirit
• Nymphs
• Reapers
• Other Spirits; attendants to Prospero

Previous Production of A Midsummer Night's Dream

1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbPFvX2E13Y

The 1999 screen adaptation of A Midsummer Nights Dream starring Christian Bale and Calista Flockhart I think offers an understandable and imaginative outlook on Shakespeare's play, where you can really sense the plot and setting of the story with the scenery and camera angles. The CGI technology was a breakthrough in that time that highlights the fairy's and their significance. This previous production depicts a realistic performance on screen and therefore feels more real because of the lack of stage and limiting location.

2) Regents Park Open Air Theatre

https://openairtheatre.com/production/a-midsummer-nights-dream

In 2012 I went to see A Midsummer Nights Dream in the open air theatre and then our director used inspiration from that previous performance to adapt our own creative performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I performed in as Helena

3) Our own performance - Holy Trinity C of E Secondary School

Themes of A Midsummer Night's Dream

• LOVE
• LUST
• DISAPPOINTMENT
• CONFUSION
• MARRIAGE
• ENCHANTMENT
• MISCHIEVOUS
• MAGIC
• DREAM 

A Midsummer Nights Dream Synopsis

The plot of AMSND revolves around three parallel stories; two sets of lovers where their love becomes entangled and twisted; the enchanted forest where lives the Fairy King and Queen dealing with their own domestic dispute; a group of rough craftsmen (also know as the fools) trying to secretly rehearse a badly-written play of Pyramus and Thisby also in the enchanted forest to perform on The Duke of Athens wedding day.

The four lovers' love quadrangle consist of Hermia and Lysander who love each other and run away to the enchanted forest due to Hermia's father being insistant of her marrying Demetrius. Demetrius pursues the two lovers to the forest with Helena at his heels for she 'nurses an unrequited passion for him'. The famous line 'The course of love never did run smooth' best describes the climatic plot of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The love quadrangle is further complicated when Oberon commands Puck, (The kings hand help) to use the drop of a magic flower aid their love lives. The magic accidentally turns in Helena's favor with both men falling for her under the influence of magic, yet she thinks all three of them 'have conjoined all three to fashion this false sport in spite of [her]'. All the lovers quarrel and become confused and aggressive under Puck's smog of magic.

Manwhile, Oberon and Titania are estranged after arriving in the forest to attend Theseus' and Hippolyta's wedding becasue Titania refuses to give up her Indian page-boy to Oberon for use of his henchman because she has looked after him since the child's mother (one of her worshipers) died.

As the plot unfolds more magical enchantment is bestowed upon the mechanicals and Titania.
However, in the ruins of Athens. as the end draws near, the play is performed in front of the Duke and Duchess and all magic is removed from the lovers and thus they decide it must have all been a dream. Yet, the magic is allowed to be left upon Demetrius so that he may return Helena's love and all discord is removed. A double wedding occurs and all ends in resolution.

Resource website

Precious Little Talent - Sam

Sam is a sunny-eyed boy that after kne wild night falls for Joey. Joey critisises his optimistic and rewarding outlook on life believing you have to work for everything you get; only to have this view destroyed when she comes fresh out of university, penniless and entering the recession.

Sam and Joey work as opposites and are therefore always pushing each other's boundaries yet complimenting each other's characters due to  oppositions because they bring out the best in each other. Sam is a representative of someone Joey can trust but due to possibly a defense mechanism and pessimistic outlook on te world, it is 'not enough' to 'run away'. I really like his text because it feels like the self-realisation and dramatic turning point of their relationship and therefore Sam is an interesting character to react to and an interesting twisted text to perform.

King Lear - Why I chose this monologue questions

Q1: It related to my playing age because Goneril is a young woman, with authority and possession granted to her. I believe her power demands her character to be tall and therefore of high status, while using an English accent due it's Shakespearian origin.

Q2: This text interested me so much because of the spite and hatethat goneril   demonises and thrusts upon her father. It creates a very contrasting and daring role to play in comparison with my contemporary. The theme of cunningness and slyness in the text also intrigued me and reveals her character as develish and mischievous and I could relate to her hatred due to an iconic figure in my life where we do not 'see eye-to-eye'.

Q3: The emotional journey of the piece began very angry and unforgiving and then developed into a cunningness revealed by the characters future-ideas and plans. Goneril is persistent in her evil ambition and this is obvious in the text.

Q4: Goneril's post sure is very high and straight due to her recognition that she is of power and high status in the world in which she lives. Therefore, I had to think about moving my body in a way of that I though I was above everyone. The undercurrent of raw authority is always evident in her character and the way she speaks and using her voice. I played around with being direct, commanding, and loud as well as playful, sly, and oblivious by changing the inflection and pitch in my voice to see which worked better at what points. Showing clarity of thought was important as you see her evil ideas and vicious plans unfold through her facial expression and eyes. Using gaps and silences entangled with breath control allowed those thought processes to be seen and remained important in certain areas in the text. For example, when Goneril speaks of 'If you should come slack of former services'.. Breath, thought clarity and voice are all used heavily to convey cunningness.

Q5: My research h helped me lots because I had to figure out the slightly more modern translation in order to understand exactly what I was saying and therefore the intention of the words on the audience and the communicative message. I read the before and after scenes to gain context and looked into the overall plot of the play which have me an idea of the thoughts and feelings of Gkneril and why she reacts the way she does to certain things e.g the hate for her foolish and weak father. I read analytical notes of her character to understand the reasons for her thoughts and actions and gain an insight into her power status and therefore movement and posture possibilities. I watched one short clip on Yiutube of her monologue and realised how I didn't want to perform it and therefore made more informed choices. I found all the research incredibly helpful as it helped me intrinsically understand Goneril's character better whilst also learning the meaning behind the Shakespearian language.

Precious Little Talent - Why this Monologue Questions

Q1: It worked to my playing age because Joey is a young woman, with a free spirit, yet pessimistic view point of the world that lulls her into the false impression that some things just aren't 'enough'. Her age isn't too far-fetched from my own and is within reach as I am soon to be applying for University. Joey is fresh out of University and about to account on life as an independent adult, unlimited in the world. My casting to her character was appropriate because of my height and maturity (in a way) I am able to play someone older.

Q2: I related to this piece because I feel I have some of the same pessimistic viewpoints as Joey herself to loss and love and therefore felt I could be more truthful and honest in the portraying of her character. The themes in the text of loss and love and futility of life were interesting and meaningful to explore as the idea of what is 'enough' that we settle for could be debated through Joey's character. The piece interested me because I was able to draw upon my own experiences in life, like the loss of a loved one, and a desire to move to another country and lack of money with bad jobs, therefore it was fun to use those emotions to relate to Joey's character.

Q3: The emotional journey of the piece started with thoughtful realisation and then journeyed and built to frustration and sadness. Anger and bewilderment occurred next and then a strong, persuasive  and independent front from Joey in reaction to Sam, finally ending with self-realisation and character development. This showed a complicated and non-direct journey which is why I found it interesting and fun to explore and play.

Q4:Use of stillness was appropriate and developed because it showed a more honest monologue that exposed true feelings. Using voice in a projected manner at times when angry and frustrated revealed the raw feelings of a natural character when you just cant sit still because of annoyance. With breath control, I used pausing and played on breath when upset so the audience could just sit on the emotion with my character and focus on the moment and feelings. Clarity of thought was used and magnified at the beginning in answer to a question from another character and therefore was shown through facial expression and eye line level.

Q5:My research helped by looking at reviews of the play and finding out what characteristics of Joey were attributed and important to other critics. Researching the context and location/setting of the play really helped because I could understand the underlying things Joey was having to deal with and give a more honest and truthful contemporary performance e.g. her Dad's disease and death, love for Sam, the crumbling economy, being broke, coming straight out of Uni and futility of her experience.
Watching a few clips on YoutTube too made me make different creative decisions in terms of knowing what I didn't want to do and then also taking and using some ideas from other candidates because I thought they were valid and made understand  certain sentences.

ACTORS CV

Bryony Myers

Email: bryonymyers13@outlook.com

Contact Number: 07887407072

 

Height: 5'10

Hair Colour: Medium/Dark brown and highlighted blonde tips

Playing Age: 16 - 24

 

Nationality: English/Australian

 

Location: Brighton, West Sussex

 

Training:

 Holy Trinity C of E Secondary School

Haywards Heath central Sussex College

Act Too Stage School Theatre Company

 

Skills:

 Contemporary Drama

Physical Theatre

Improvisational Drama; short; long; forum.

Mask Work

 

Accents/Dialects:

 Queens English

General Australian

General American

Western American

 

Achievements:

Level 1; Sports Leadership Award

Level 2; Sports Leadership Award

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award

 

Plays and Roles:

• The Mad Hatter; Alice in Wonderland; Written by Becky Watts
• Narrator; Alice in Wonderland; Written by Becky Watts
• Wife; The King And I; Written by Oscar Hammerstein ll
• Cyndi Gibson: Back to The 80s; Written By Neil Gooding
• Helena; A Midsummer's Nights Dream; William Shakespeare
• Marlene; Top Girls; Written by Caryl Churchill

 

Other Projects and Experience:

• Poetic Readings in general Assistance; Help and Company - Day Care and Home Help Management
• Horsham Academy Showcase; 2009; Hawth theatre
• Horsham Academy Showcase; 2011; The Capitol theatre
• Workshop with The Noise Next Door Theatre Company
• Workshop in Lecoq Theatre; Rose Ryan
• Lost Dog It needs horses and Homes for Broken Turns; The Brighton Dome
• Brighton Dome Discovery Tour
• Interview with Elana Di Troya; Working Actress in Performing Arts Industry
• LAMDA workshop; training for Bronze Level

 

Summary: Act 1, scene 3

Lear is spending the first portion of his retirement at Goneril’s castle. Goneril complains to her steward, Oswald, that Lear’s knights are becoming “riotous” and that Lear himself is an obnoxious guest. Seeking to provoke a confrontation, she orders her servants to behave rudely toward Lear and his attendants.

Why I chose Goneril from King Lear

Goneril's character largely contrasts with Joey's in the actions of pure evil and selfishness. Goneril is vicious, aggressive for a female character, and unforgiving in her attemps to access what she wants whether it causes death or injury. She is to be feared and not sympathised with.

I really like her character because she is so careless about any other characters wants or desires or even pain. She attempts no redemption or even acknowledgement that her actions are evil actions. Se is strong, savage, independant, and determined; an interesting and respectably twisted character to play.

Furthermore, her monologue/speech carries out variations of emotion from her including, anger, frustration, too manipulation and slyness, all the while involving an undercurrent of authority over her audience. 

Why I chose Precious Little Talent

This monologue highly appealed to me and stood out from the rest specifically because of how relateable it is to myself. Joey is a cynical, pessimistic, girl, trying to escape England and panicking over her crumbling father, much like me at what point in my life, so it was interesting to explore the repeated ideas and thoughts that I once had, yet through a different character and therefore mind set and intentions.

Secondly, I like that the monologue itself has a journey. The false hope and sarcastic nature of it twists and fools the listener in a way or character it is spoken to (Sam in this case), all the while cruelly acknowledging to the listener that it is a pessimistic speech and therefore cannot have too happy an ending. It keeps the audience on edge slightly and really draws them in to the thoughts, feelings and dramatic, yet upsetting experiences of Joey's character.

Monologue

Precious little talent - Synopsis

'Precious Little Talentis about a father desperate not to forget his daughter and two young people determined not to be forgotten by the world.' - Ebay

Joey has had a privileged upbringing, with the best schools and is a recent English law graduate. But after recently losing her job, she goes to New York on Christmas Eve to visit her father, George, without giving him notice. He has lived alone since the end of his marriage and even his relationship with Joey has slipped.

While on a rooftop in Manhattan, circumstances lead Joey to meet Sam, a lively nineteen year old American. They have a whirlwind of a romance for one night and end up falling for each other. What she doesn't realize though is that Sam works for her father as a carer while her father slowly starts losing the capacity to care for himself.

Modern translation

Monologue

King Lear and Goneril' relationship

Lear - Childlike, passionate, cruel, kind, unlikable, and sympathetic – Lear is one of Shakespeare's most complex characters 

Goneril despises her father with a hatred that is animalistic and unnatural and personified (like her character) as the archetype of evil  - along with her sister Regan - in the play. 

Goneril's relationship with Regan

Lear’s older daughters are largely indistinguishable in their villainy and spite. Goneril and Regan are clever—or at least clever enough to flatter their father in the play’s opening scene—and, early in the play, their bad behavior toward Lear seems matched by his own pride and temper. But any sympathy that the audience can muster for them evaporates quickly, (e.g. Act 2 - when they turn their father into the storm; Act 3: when they viciously put out Gloucester’s eyes). Goneril and Regan are personifications of evil—they have no conscience, only appetite. It is this greedy ambition that enables them to crush all opposition and make themselves mistresses of Britain. Ultimately, however, this same appetite brings about their undoing. Their desire for power is satisfied, but both harbor sexual desire for Edmund, which destroys their alliance and eventually leads them to destroy each other. Evil, the play suggests, inevitably turns in on itself.

Character List

Lear, King of Britain (Gonerils Father) Goneril(sometimes written Gonerill or Gonoril), eldest daughter of Lear Regan, second daughter of Lear Cordelia, youngest daughter of Lear[3] Duke of Albany, husband to Goneril[4] Duke of Cornwall, husband to Regan Earl of Gloucester(sometimes written as Gloster) Earl of Kent, often appearing under the disguise of Caius Edgar, son of Gloucester

Edmund (sometimes written Edmond), illegitimate son of Gloucester Oswald, steward to Goneril Fool, Lear's fool or court jester King of France, suitor and later husband to Cordelia Duke of Burgundy, suitor to Cordelia Curan, a courtier Old man, tenant of Gloucester A Doctor, an Officer employed by Edmund, a Gentleman attending on Cordelia, a Herald, Servants to Cornwall, Knights of Lear's Train, Officers, Messengers, Soldiers, and Attendants