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Issue 50 – June 2014 – QUEEN MARGARET CALLING
What have you learnt from this experience?
This experience has been particularly useful for my Theatre
course as I have not only learnt how to extend my learned theory
into an authentic situation but also vice versa, by bringing my
experience into my IBD Theatre projects.
Student Directors: Loewn Whyman and
Sian Stephens
What play (and extract) did you choose and why?
We chose to do
Macbeth
as it is such an iconic piece of
Shakespeare’s that we thought it would be interesting to see
how we could make such a well-known play our own and add a
different perspective to it. We also chose to focus on Lady MacBeth
throughout the whole piece as she is a very complex character and
when performed correctly (as wonderful Clara Van Wel definitely
managed to do so) can have a very big impact on the audience.
How did you make the play your own?
We decided to change the numbers of witches from the typical
three, to six. We did this to add more of a chorus aspect to their
characters rather than having them as separate individuals. We
also wanted them to be portrayed as Lady Macbeth’s conscience,
reflecting herself as she looked back on her actions and thoughts in
the past.
Why did you decide to direct?
It provided the opportunity to make a piece of Shakespeare’s
work our own, and to reflect how Sian and I would view
Macbeth
,
and reflect these views into how we think they should be performed.
It also gives a wonderful sense of achievement when you see a piece
that you have spent months putting so much effort into come to life
on stage, as well as the sense of accomplishment from the actors
that we have been working with, all of whom have done such a
spectacular job at perfectly performing the play.
What was the hardest thing about directing?
Finding the time to fit in all our practices! We had such a bright
bunch of girls that many of them had a lot of extra curricular, which
meant that finding a solid few days to hold a practice proved to be
the hardest task. However we previously performed our piece as
the Education Festival at the TSB Arena a few weeks before Sheilah
Winn Regionals, so this motivated us to work hard.
What have you learnt from this experience?
That you get out what you put in. If Sian and I were to be half-
hearted throughout this whole experience, then we would only be
disappointed at ourselves. We are our own biggest critics and if we
wanted to be proud of our work then we had to work hard. However
after performing at Regionals it just shows us that when you put in
the effort and work hard on something that you are passionate about,
you feel so rewarded afterwards. To have a piece that we are proud
of was the biggest achievement, to be chosen to go to Nationals is
just a bonus!
Student Directors: Safra Harkness
and Georgia Stewart
What play (and extract) did you choose and why?
Our piece was a collection of scenes from
Much Ado About
Nothing
. We chose this play because we loved the romance between
Benedick and Beatrice which was completely based on each of them
believing that the other was madly in love with the other. Plus we
had done many tragedy pieces over the years, Much Ado is a comedy
and is quite light, while still maintaining a captivating story.
How did you make the play your own?
We talked a lot with the actors about their interpretation of the
roles and tried to bring some originality to the humour of the scene
largely through physicality and the delivery of the lines.
Why did you decide to direct?
Being involved with Sheilah Winn over the years has always
been the highlight for us. Directing was an exciting new experience
where I could have more say in the shaping of the final product as
opposed to just my role as an actor.
What was the hardest thing about directing?
I think the most difficult thing about directing is ensuring that
there is an even balance between the ideas you have for the piece
and the creative freedom of the actors. It was also hard finding a
rehearsal time where everyone was available.
What have you learnt from this experience?
We have both learnt a lot about the challenges directors face.
Now having worked both as an actor and a director we have more
insight into the process of creating a piece of theatre.
Student Director: Clara van Wel
What play (and extract) did you choose and why?
I chose the scene from
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
in which
both Lysander and Demetrius, under the influence of a love potion,
have fallen in love with Helena. Hermia’s jealousy and Helena’s
indignation lead to one of the most famous cat-fights of all time.
This scene has always been a favourite of mine as it is very colourful
and comedic.
How did you make the play your own?
I made each of the characters represent a modern stereotype so
that they were more accessible to the audience. For example, Helena
was a typical preppy girl in a short skirt, Demetrius a geek wearing
suspenders and a bowtie.
Why did you decide to direct?
I wanted to try being behind the scenes for a change and thought
it would be a nice challenge. I also love Shakespeare and wanted to
be involved with Sheilah Winn as much as possible.
What was the hardest thing about directing?
I spent a lot of money on Freddo frogs for my cast.
What have you learnt from this experience?
One of the things I thought would be the hardest was getting the
physical comedy right. With the help of my cast and Ms O’Connell,
however, I feel much more confident about using it in future
performances.
