Rehearsal 1

Overview

• Proxemics and understanding the space
• Laban character warm up
• Rough Block Act 1
• Questions

The cast spent some time considering and exploring the thrust stage configuration that we are working with. They were encouraged to find 'hot spots', places where a particular relationship could be established with audience and fellow actors. This was explored further improvising short scenes between characters with specific given circumstances; a couple on a first date, confronting a partner who's been unfaithful.

The cast then worked through the various Laban forces as an immediate and physical way in to characters. This was to offer the actors the chance to have something to use physically in the rough block/walking read.

The company then started working through a rough block or 'walking read'. This allowed the actors to physically see who they are on stage with, to understand their own physical journey through the play, to start to make simple decisions about proxemics and physical relationships.

The rehearsal finished with a discussion about what questions we believe the play is asking of an audience

Questions suggested included: 

• How far are people willing to go to get what they want? 
• Who has ultimate power over a state?
•  Does religion do more bad than good? 
• Is the traditional/perceived view of Anne Boleyn the right one?

This led on to a question asked by James I at the end of the play:

"Why is it that all we do in the name of God is always exactly the same as as what we do in our own self interest?" page 115

This seems to encapsulate much of the discussion and the other questions suggested.