I didn't have many ideas after we separated earlier. I think the obstacle I have preventing me from producing and developing work is the fact there is no objective for the show. We can all create work from a given subject but if we don't know what the objective is then we have no purpose to work towards. After some thought I think this is where we are struggling as a company. I believe many ideas have been thought up since we split earlier but I fear the same problem will arise again.
I do realise this is my opinion now before we regroup and discuss ideas.
I have been thinking more about our objective rather than new ideas.
Suggestions to spark ideas:
The audience are the government and they have power and control with or without realising it.
The piece is called 'In The Red' so as there are a large number of red chairs and small number of black chairs, the colour of the chair that an audience member sits on could determine whether they have the power or not to control the show (a red chair representing debt and a black chair being safe). It would be a nice revelation if the whole audience didn't know they had any control at all until the very end.
The other suggestion I have is Forum Theatre, anyone who doesn't know it, it was created by Augusto Boal as Theatre of The Opressed. A scene is acted out and then repeated but with the audience being allowed to shout "stop" at any time to replace the opressed one and put right what's wrong.
Here's a link with a proper explanation: http://dramaresource.com/strategies/forum-theatre it is used in schools but still great interactive theatre where the audience has control and can change the situation.
Once we have an objective, we can then all work separately or in groups if prefered, knowing we're all working towards the same goal and then everything should fit together nicely.
From Bronnerz, by Blade!
Been thinking about this. just had a eureka moment and did a comedy run to the computer and blog. As an audience member this is what i would be interested in to do with your topic. is it my fault that i am in debt? is it greece's fault that we re in debt as a nation, or spain or portugal or indeed England? and i would love someone to explain to me in a funny, simple and effective way how the crisis came about cos i still don't really get it. a thought i had was that the gwen pawning her gloves is a small version of the world banking crisis.
ReplyDeleteWell yesterday we started to create more material as before and I felt stuck into a rut again without having an objective to work towards.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was working with George and Shaun, George suggested that the Thwaites were furniture manufacturers so I then made a reminder of my thoughts about the audience sitting on the red chairs being In The Red. Shaun then suggested that the audience would be the Thwaites who had the power and control and then this wouldn't be revealed until the end! We would constantly refer to the Thwaites throughout the performance.
Radley made a suggestion about children being in debt, how a debt of marbles to a child is just as important as a financial debt to an adult.
We said we didn't want to do TI and we also don't want to get too political but we can still go along this route in a hopefully comedic way.
We discussed what control the audience could have over us, Nicole said "time" although that's been covered in a film. 'oxygen' was a popular one. I thought about what the audience had on us and that is 'attention'.
attention = power & control.
control = unawareness.
The audience have paid to see the show and the bio says 'the Thwaites want their money back'. The debt collector works for the Thwaites, he links the audience to us.
This is what is loosely floating round my mind. We came up with new material that can be adapted as well as any old material. I had to leave the group early yesterday so I'm not sure yet of further developments. I will message this all to them. Thanks Vanessa!
This is really interesting and subtly theatrical and philosophicall. Different types of debt that concern that might and that moment. And the decision is to stay or not stay watch the show? But subtle. Something about what we owe to other people in the room with us. It would take some sophisticated writing but the idea is really interesting
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that it should be something very subtle so the audience cannot guess what is happening, there is always someone in an audience who can work out the ending. The thing is, it seems a lot of interaction with the audience is wanted so we'll have to work out how this can happen without giving the game away.
ReplyDeleteA simple choice that the audience has paid to watch the show. Will they PAY attention? and as you say, will they stay or not to watch the entire show. We have developed further today with a loose structure to work around that can be flexible and be adapted.
I have a question please Vanessa, after your previous comment about the current state of Greece, am I right in saying that currency or at least coinage was invented in Greece?
(by Blade)