4.30
The opening scene to Rent was delivered with a lot of emphasis and purpose, and I showed good characterisation of a gang member particularly when we were singing to the crowd.
For the voicemail, me and Josh performed Mr and Mrs Jeffersons lines efficiently. We fully exaggerated our voices as we sung the dialogue which was fun to do as you were just playing around with your voice. For next performance we could interact with each other more rather than just speaking to the phone.
Life support and Will turned out really good and I feel over time the emotion we bring into this scene gets stronger, even though we only do subtle movements such as holding each others hands, eye contact and smiling to each other. We did end slightly early when she have have carried the verses on further, but were able to fade out rather than stop abruptly by the solo singers continuing.
With Santa Fe, I forgot to take off the chair on the opposite row and instead went for my own chair, this then caused obstruction as I got in the way of some people. However when we entered the stage we decided to walk to the Santa Fe beat in a line to the stacked chairs instead of spinning around etc. as it looked neater and more purposeful. Overall the atmosphere of this scene was very joyous and represented the 'dreamy phase' or Collins and Angel's relationship well. Our transitions could be made even smoother though.
In La vie Boheme, the interaction between all characters including with the waitresses was really good and we all maintained the bouncy, wild atmosphere and letting loose. We delivered all our lines with emphasis and made sure they were punchy to make each line significant to the scene.
The opening with Seasons Of Love to Act 2 had a huge impact on the audience. The foreshadowing in this song was fully expressed through simply our vocals and posture. The song doesn't clearly depict being happy or sad, which is why it successfully foretells the oncoming events and shows uncertainty. I'll Cover You was rich in vocals, emotion and stage presence. I always enjoy singing in I'll Cover You because it feels so personal and isolates itself from all the other songs.
The finale section turned out really well and is effective when we all stand stationary singing as we look ahead.
7.30
'Rent' opening scene was as strong as the afternoon show, maybe with a bit more oomph. I think because it's the last show we want to go out with a bang, and it's also vital to make this scene significant as it introduces the musical
For the voicemail, we had much more interaction and eye contact as we said our lines. For example, when Mr Jefferson's line is "we need you - alone", we both say "alone" together and look each other in the eyes to emphasise the importance of the word. We also held our last notes for longer in time with each other and that finished our dialogue well.
Life support's harmonies were really rich and sounded very dynamic. We maintained our positions throughout Out Tonight and Another Day, even when we joined in with Mimi which was really powerful as our situation is incorporated into Mimi's, supporting her morally and vocally.
Will I was also performed to a high standard. Our timing was solved so we didn't cut off too early. As each group stood and joined the rest, the rising vocals generated the comforting, warm atmosphere we intended to give off.
Santa Fe's transitions into it were smoother, but I made the same mistake and went to take my own chair off. However I still spun round with the chairs to stylise the pedestrian movement. The volume of our singing was just right and I believe we showed understanding of the theme in this scene (dreamy phase).
In La Vie Boheme, we showed an ongoing busy environment and I made sure to frequently interacted with each other, whether it's dancing with them or just having eye contact as I sing the verses
For Seasons Of Love, I was in the wrong position at the start on the stairs. so when I came down I got in the way of other people. For the next show I need to remember to wait back in the line so it looks neater.I'll Cover You was performed really well like last time. The seperate verses performed together thrived and sounded amazing.
The finale brought everything together and ended strongly, putting the cherry on top of the whole production.
Thursday (on cast)
4.30
The beginning of the production started really strong and overall was a good opening performance. My solo dialogue in 'Rent' was pronounced clearly and made sure I was displaying strong facial expressions. Every time I perform this part I feel myself getting more and more into character and really expressing the tone in my voice when the mood alters. For example, the "Hey hey hey" is a happy casual state, but then switches to "Don't change the subject Maureen", which is kind of contradicting as she's addressed it with a change of tone, in which the conversation tensely leads onto the subject of Mark!
Tango Maureen didn't go particularly well which was down to me stepping off on the wrong foot in the dance, which started to throw me off. However if I mucked up a step or clashed with Luke, I relied on my body language and harsh faces directed at him as if it was choreographed to not be completely smooth, and Mark and Joanne, who both initially wanted to lead each other, conflicted. But I also forgot to join Luke singing in part of the chorus when we were making our way downstage, only realising straight after. At the end of the dance, when I get a call from Maureen, I had forgotten to take my cell phone on-stage, so had to improvise and use the payphone instead. I didn't really hesitate to do this though as before the ringing sound was played I noticed I hadn't brought it on. I was very disappointed with my performance in Tango Maureen, even though I maintained my character I made silly errors. But at least I can now learn from it for the next show.
Santa Fe went very well, for me much better than Wednesday's show. This was because my transition with the chairs was smooth and clean, avoiding any obstructions like oncoming people with chairs. I remembered to take of the chair on the other side rather than automatically picking up my own which was someone else's
responsibility.
We're Okay turned out really good also. One thing I decided to change beforehand about my movement blocking was when Joanne twirls around and gets wrapped in the phone cord. It it was quite distracting because the payphone was fixed higher, so if I wrapped around it would go round my neck area rather than my body.
La Vie Boheme was really lively and energetic and definitely paid off. I was also pleased as I was in time with the start of part B, which was initially tricky because i had to converse to Maureen over the accompaniment before I jumped onto the beat. I feel part B uplifts even more than it is, and I just feel like I'm having fun on stage whilst grinning at the audience.
Happy New Year B went okay but I had to enter from the other entrance because the rope that I carry on was tucked away, in which I had to quickly grab it and get on as fast as possible. But as soon as I got on-stage it went absolutely fine!
Take Me Or Leave Me went okay, however I didn't feel very prepared for it like usual and this time I was doubting my vocal strength to belt the notes that I recently have been fine with. Although I hit the high notes, to me it didn't sound that rich, and I found myself struggling more than usual. I tend to have more sass in my character especially performing this song, but I think I was too focused on completing the song correctly that I didn't breathe and enjoy it as much.
Without You and I'll Cover You turned out lovely. Me and Sophie work well when we're upstage in Without You as our characters start off stiff towards each other, and then slowly comforting one another to becoming friends. This scene is really emotional particularly in 'I'll Cover You'. Izzy's vocal performance was outstanding and it really sets you in that mood and frame of mind to feel what the characters feel. Goodbye love was emotionally strong, and the finale section turned out efficiently, as we all come together at the end and gaze at the projected film of us all. This was so effective as it let the audience know it was the end, as our characters revisited memory lane.
Christmas bells needs a stronger opening of vocals as the lyrics seem to get lost as the homeless are approaching the centre stage. Although it starts weak, it becomes more stable from "can't you spare a dime or two". The characterisation and movement has always been done well especially the verses from the junkies as they interact with the drug dealer.
7.30
The evening show I felt was much much better than the afternoon show personally, and was overall really delighted with my performances throughout.
Rent was the most powerful it has ever been. This might be because it was our last performance ever and the evening shows were sold out, so you pick up the energy from the audience and vice versa. Everyone was using intense facial expressions and directing their words towards them, which is a good way of connecting and engaging the audience, to feel what our characters feel.
Tango Maureen went much better after discussing with Luke in the gap where it went wrong and what I missed on. This resulted in a decent performance, as I found even our characters interacted better because we weren't worrying about anything going wrong. I enjoyed performing it this time too as it was very entertaining to have to react to Luke's funny facial expressions and gestures, such as when he swings his arm round singing 'Tango Maureen'. In addition, I remembered to take on my cell phone this time.
Santa Fe went very well again, the enthusiasm was at new heights and a more wholesome sound as our voices grouped together.
We're Okay had improved although I did accidentaly say "Joanne" instead of "Honeybear". But i recovered quickly and pretended it was me repeating my name to some on the other line, like in the beginning when I say "Steve - Joanne". My last note was delivered with strong projection and I held the note throughout. I do wish I haad jumped to the high note quicker so I'd have more breath to push my vocals. I think when I hold back on a note, I begin to doubt I can hit it which is sort of what happened. However I am happy with my performance especially as it was in-front of a full crowded audience.
La vie boheme B also went very well again. I feel Joanne has a lot of power in this section as she triggers the song to continue. When I, Joanne exclaims "but no one's leaving, they're just sitting here mooing!" I slam the table hard causing everyone to repeat this and say "Yeah!!" and erupt into dances, air punches etc.
Seasons Of Love was performed brilliantly once again, and I remembered the wait back so I didn't get in the way of other people trying to find their place.
In Happy New Year I was prepared with the rope as someone had placed it in the corner I would be entering through. This is a funny section, particularly when we are travelling up and around the scaffolding as we improvise lines with each other on the way.
Take Me Or Leave Me I feel was the best I've ever performed in terms of belting and characterisation. I felt mostly relaxed in this performance and was more enjoying being fierce and having an attitude, and me and Sophie really fed off each other's energy. At the end, it sounded like we were wild lionesses facing off. I was very proud with mine and Sophie's performance, as she has encouraged to be release my inner beast for this song. I found learning Take Me Or Leave helped me in Goodbye Love which was also very challenging in some areas. However I succesfully hit the high note "When I gave a mile" which I previously changed and made lower. It's more of a matter of just throwing your voice out there and not doubting yourself, as before Rent I didn't think I was capable of singing these challenging songs.
I'll Cover You was yet again a very emotional experience, and that is felt through our singing as we come together. I thought I could have been louder with "thousand sweet kisses", maybe if I used my belt voice rather than in a light mixed voice. Although the way I did it was subtle and linked to th empty feeling of the scene, belting may have made it more powerful and raw as your emotions are running high.
The finale section turned out really good and James performed 'Your Eyes' with so much sentiment. When the projection of the film gets shown and everyone stands together, it is gives closure to the musical, and an ending to remember.
Christmas bells still felt it was lacking in the beginning again, and needed to start out on a strong note. But it was picked up again through the scene and ended on a high note, literally.
Overall, I was definitely more confident and delivered a better performance vocally on the 7.30 show, even though both times we gave it our all I feel for the evening show we had warmed up from the show before, and were also motivated to correct any of our mistakes and to top our personal performance best! What we were lacking in yesterday's show was maintaining the energy from Act 1 through to Act 2, as the 1st Act drags more. But today we maintained that spark that engaged the audience and carried them with us through the storyline.
