Reflections of Kafka - 20th May

Tonight, first of all we went over the introductory scene. Where I, and the majority of the cast. Do three sleeping movements. Which become more restless after time. This was good, as it helps it become instinctual. Which I like for memories sake.

Then Mark and Ros worked on the Grandfather scene.

Then we all choose a persons strut. I choose someone’s strut, who is in protection. Which I do in a M shape across the stage.

And the final piece of the script we learned. Was highly significant to me. I particularly enjoyed reciting the script. I’d been learning it all week. I remembered most of it. But I felt a total transition, in my performance, after Juliet’s coaching. It felt great. We went over quite a lot of painstaking detail. And added a kind of make believe, happy ending pose, with me and Ros. Tonight I learnt a lot about expressing myself. About passion. A lot about eye contact. I felt the reward of getting out of what you put in. An I put a lot in! I felt a leap. In the direction of improving my acting. Which is what I fundamentally want. To improve my acting.

In response to the question, what does it mean to me to be performing at the theatre royal. It means the world. If someone had told me along time ago, I’d be performing at the theatre royal. I’d have said. “ What? Me an actor!” I would have laughed.

In terms of how it effects the company, it’s one hundred percent magic. It started off as something to do. But now, it’s like a white lights shining down, an I may even take on a part time degree in Theatre at St Johns. I hope we will achieve, a great deal of growth as actors. And for me personally a lot of growth regarding my illness. Confidence boost!
I also hope Out of Characters reputation will strengthen because of the theatre royal performance.

We have also done an will be doing a lot of physical theatre. I have never fine tuned such subtle skills before. All in all, a brilliant two an a half hours!

Tom

Kafka Rehearsals

Script work continued this week with the company trying to get to grips with the staging of the opening two scenes. There's alot of physical movement involved and we're trying to be loosely synchronised with each other. Which isn't easy when you have your eyes closed for part of it. Hopefully it will look great.

Also we're having to keep in mind how much space we will actually have, especially once we have some form of set. Juliet's ideas for it and how it will be used should look really exciting. I've had some interesting discussions with her about the set, and while I would like to design something epic - there's just the small problem of space...materials...my lack of knowledge...space...and of course money.

Although we've been developing work for a few weeks and even have a script, it still feels a bit unreal that we're set to perform at York Theatre Royal. Then last week I saw the large promo poster outside the theatre. I guess there's no denying they really are expecting a show. Best get learning those lines!

Mark

Kafka Update - Scripts and Posters!

Last Thursday's rehearsal was an exciting one indeed - scripts! If that weren't enough leaflets are now available and our name is literally in lights (or a lightbox at least) outside the theatre royal!

The shape of the show is taking form and the cast had their first read through, finding out for the first time which parts they would be playing and what aspects of our divised work have made it through into the text.

Juliet has worked really hard to create a script which weaves Kafka's text with our interpretations of his work to develop something which has a real Out of Character flavour!

I am really excited about the physicality of the piece and the space for sequences and movement as a cast.

Watch this space for weekly updates and reflections from members of the cast as we progress to performance.

Gemma

Performance Date for your diary!

Out of Character will be performing 'Episodes' at 6pm on Saturday 8th May at York St John University, York.
For more details, directions and to reserve a seat please email g.alldred@yorksj.ac.uk

Applause from Lancaster

A selection of feedback from our fantastic Lancaster audience who came to see us at the Mental Health in Higher Education Conference

‘This was a profoundly moving and disturbing experience – an emotional rollercoaster. I liked the honesty of this and I appreciated the skill.’

‘For me the performance provoked contradictory emotions of discomfort, humour, compassion and guilt.’

‘Your performance took me through a whole range of emotions: sadness, joy, despair, frustration etc (from a mental health professional and survivor of the oppressive mental health system)’

‘Great stuff: lovely dry humour....subverting the role of audience and who is subject/object’

‘Powerful, funny, moving, unnerving, thought provoking: a rollercoaster ride’

‘Excellent issue-based high quality theatre’

‘A talented group with lived experience, truth and art, important messages – pushing the boundaries to get to the truth.’

‘You have conveyed the essence of the experience in an accessible, authentic and interesting way’

‘Lovely balance of humour, truth and uncomfortable feelings’

A big thank you to all those who supported our performance at the conference, for more details please don't hesitate to contact us - g.alldred@yorksj.ac.uk

Episodes - in rehearsal

'Paranoia'

'Dipixel Shuffle'

Collaboration with York Theatre Royal

Details of our work with York Theatre Royal are now online, as are the tickets!




01 - 03 July 2010
Tales from Kafka
Directed by Juliet Forster

“I think you cope quite sensibly with the difficulty of living…We tremble in the balance, we don’t fall, we flutter even though we may be uglier than bats.”

Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Franz Kafka. Drawing on a rich vein of early writing and less well-known short stories, this entirely new play presents a layering and interweaving of eerie dreamscapes. It is shot through with Kafka’s hallmark foreboding and alienation, absurdist humour and struggling humanity.

Episodes for Lancaster Conference

On the 31st March, Out of Character will be performing their new work for the first time, "Episodes" at the mhhe conference in Lancaster

This work has culminated from the recognition and development of our educational based work and is in reponse to a need to develop a performance which tells our experiences and challenges audiences whilst retaining a sense of theatre and sophistication.

As artistic director for the company I am very excited about the piece. Our work in progress show at the C4C Celebration event held at York St. John University gave us some useful feedback and I am relishing in the difficulty and uncertainty people had watching our performance. We've now looked in more detail and depth at the material and I hope we can expand on this and provide no easy answers for our new audiences, after all dark humour is now very much an Out of Character trademark.

A nod of appreication to Brecht, Forced Entertainment and the performers of Out of Character.