Run Through...

·         Smooth transitions – use of set very effective and the way the large box serves many different roles throughout the play, used in a variety of ways

·         Commentary by the characters – translates really well to stage from the script; Lara and Ricky’s use of rhyme

·         Cave – sacred place

o   Jordan’s apparent carelessness for the place; leaning, biting nails, talking in a monotone

o   Jade – angry, confrontational, fierce – way of hiding her feelings

o   Jade and Jordan – same sitting position; their physicality similar, emphasises their connection

·         Physical distance between actors e.g. Lara’s apology – Jade and Lara at opposite sides of the stage

·         There was a really effective moment of blocking – Mel running around the stage in a circle, around the statue, as the scene changed

·         Mel’s second monologue – slow guitar, running – a seamless scene change

·         Great juxtaposition between Mel’s higher pitch, emotional voice and Naomi’s monotone

·         The scene between Jade and Ishtar in the cave was beautifully expressed – Go Mel and Jacinta!

Costumes

              ·       Jordan

o   Naomi’s hair – tied back, enhances Jordan’s ‘androgynous’ look

o   Pants – scuffed, frayed

·         Jade

o   Importance of shoes – Jade runs

Notes

·         Reactions – Ishtar to the police; Jacinta needing to be more fearful, more uncertain as she gazes out towards audience

·         Jacinta needs to stay on stage at the end of the play, as Ishtar and Jade simultaneously say, “Home”

·         Cave scene between Jade and Ishtar – Mel looking more intently at the handprints – convey Jade’s guilt about what has happened

Polishing scenes...

Cast worked on the nightclub scene and tried to add details and nuances to each moment in the scene.

Lara cutting off Ricky – highlight who is in the position of power; Lara won’t even let Ricky speak or act for herself.

In the opening scene of the play, when Lara threatens to reveal the story, there needs to be a greater moment of dramatic tension. This will suggest that what Jade is about to expose, is dangerous, a big secret.

The Kings – talking as one, a collective, lack of individuality, movement and voice same as each other.

Lara, Ricky, Jade and Ishtar stand across front of stage during some of the ‘commentary’ scenes. They stand in line as through having an interview. Jade is in the middle, caught between the two extremes; Lara and Ishtar. How does she react to each character and what is being said on either side of her?

SFX – transition into first scene between Samira and Ishtar – actors putting on hijabs slowly.

Jacinta having to react even more strongly to Lara’s continuous calls of “refo”.

The cast felt that a glass smash SFX was important to further heighten the tension in the scene with the pig’s head. The SFX would also help to explain that something is being thrown through the window.

In this scene, Candy is on the floor in front of the boxes, the soldiers are behind the boxes, they flip the large box to make the cave – Ishtar leads Samira off as Jade and Jordan run into the cave. Lovely continuity of scene.

Apology scene between Lara and Jade. Candy and Mel stand on opposite sides of stage. Scene is awkward, tense, the dialogue is thrown back and forth. Lara is intimidated by Jade. They move closer together then apart, closer together then apart. A power struggle once again!