Final Performance Link
The final performance went exceptionally well, as we were very well rehearsed and we knew the performance inside and out. Initially during the rehearsal process we struggled to find a stimulus that would allow us to create an informed and emotionally aware performance, however with hard work and persistence this soon changed. Our performance told a simple story
I feel our final performance explored not only the harsh and battle torn front-line of the First World War but also the effect that it had on citizens and relationships. I believe the characterisation was strong and this added to our overall piece, we did a lot of character work in the days leading up to the performance as we felt it was something that would add to the piece immensely, this is first shown in the performance at the beginning, when we breath into our characters, this allowed us to sustain our characters physicality throughout the performance which was useful in helping to tell a simple story.
Through research we attempted to be contextually correct in all aspects of our performance, this is first shown at 00:36 when Katie is on top of me, in a provocative position however we quickly end this and break away, to attempt to illustrate the that sex before marriage was frowned upon during this era. We felt small contextual hints would give our piece meaning and sense. This is added to at 00:56 when I put the ring on Katie's finger and we use a clapping game to represent sex. We felt the clapping game was an appropriate metaphor as it is simple but can be given emotional meaning through strong physical characterisation. It also allowed for some pathos to break the tension in the piece, which was useful in order to once again add to our characters as we could show their responses in a range of different scenarios.
The section involving the chair at 02:15 superficially showed my character climbing through the trenches, but could have metaphorically shown Katie's character helping me through. We felt this subtle ulterior meaning combined with the lack of eye contact between us, allowed us to show that my character could no longer see beyond the battle, and the horrors of war had carved him into a soldier who fights with no personality rather than human with emotions. This idea is reinforced at the end 03:33 when I salute and Katie is attempting to rearrange my posture. This exaggerated end was appropriate as it showed a clear ending.
