Rehearsal: Boxes Sequence

9am

The cast worked on the intense movement sequence with the boxes where there are four soldiers and Jade.

Difficulties:

·         Trying to fit Mel inside a box

·         Synchronised movement – lifting boxes in time to music

·         Revealing Mel in a box more than once? – decided this was not needed as the play has a lot of box reveal

·         Candy suggested that when Mel is behind the box formation, she should slide the big box forward in order for Jacinta and Naomi to grab the sides of the box

Blocking

·         Naomi and Jacinta jump off the boxes – brush their hands along the side of the ‘coffin’, pick it up and move it forwards in synchronised step, then Candy and Jodie step next to it and all four pick up the box and taking small, marching steps, turning around as Mel crawls underneath and runs off-stage

·         Workshopping ideas – how to hold the box? On shoulders? How high to hold it, as Mel has to crawl underneath?

·         Mel’s frantic running – when should she speak the dialogue?

·         Soldiers – small steps, marching, lifting feet

·         Music – electro-remix – loud beats, marching, increased pace, intrusive sound, mix of different sound effects

·         Spinning boxes – how to master this and make it look synchronised, as well as having Mel in one of the smaller boxes?

What I really noticed about the cast is how they deal with blocking problems, etc. They all have such a great grasp of their characters and the storyline and the smooth transitions that need to be achieved to get from one scene to the next. They explore the problem from different angles to discover what will be the most practical and effective way. The close nature of the group means that everyone helps and makes suggestions to enable the project to work.  It's great to watch the scene take shape thanks to everyone's contributions and creative ideas.