Our performance
INTRUDER BY MAURICE MAETERLINCK
SYMBOLISM
UNCLE - SHEHANA
FATHER - ERNST
GRANDFATHER - YAN YAN
DAUGHTER - JASMINE
SISTER OF MERCY - LLOYD
Intruder has many hidden meanings which are represented symbols in it. Maurice uses many elements in the play to symbolise fear, death, silence, secrecy, etc. Four characters were waiting for the sister and the doctor to arrive. As they wait, two invalids (mother and child) were in the room. Death slowly make its entrance to the house. We have to portray that slow entrance of death into the house using the elements such as lighting, sounds, props, etc. As we wait, the father and uncle did not want to face the truth or refused to believe the truth to the grandfather, who is blind and knows the truth. There were alot of questions exchanged between the grandfather and the rest because of insecurities and fear. The daughter believed what the grandfather 'sees' and anticipated death in a terrorized manner.
Lighting is in a dark room where four people (Uncle, Father, Grandfather and daughter) sit around a table waiting for the sister to arrive to visit the invalid. We decided to dim the lights each time the clock strikes to signify the next hour. It also signify that the darkest moment/hour is coming where death (Darkness) slowly enters until only the lamp is lighted. The last part where the red lighting comes on is to signify the death of the invalid and the sister of mercy coming in. Red to symbolise blood, therefore death in the house.
Sounds - We input the sounds as mentioned in the script. But we also added our own sounds such as the wind in the garden, clasping of daughter's hands, etc. The only constant sound is the ticking of the clock. The clock is significant because it indicates the silence and stillness of the room while the four of them are waiting. In the midst of the silence and as time ticks away, death and fear slowly creeps into the room.
Stage setting - We set up blocks to make it compact because initially we thought our room to be small because the house will be a safe and small place for them to feel comfortable (but not for long). It is also better for me (daughter) so that I would not take too many steps to get to the window and door.
Stage props - Teacups and pots for us on the table so that we have something to fiddle with because uncle, father and grandfather are very stagnant. They dont walk much so it would be good if they have something to fiddle so that they won't look so bored or empty. The way we hold a prop can also signify fear, anxiety, angry, etc. For eg, playing with the teacups may mean nervous.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals and meetings were rather late and lacking because of our timetable clashes and other
appointments. I would prefer to work with our people who have the same majors as mine because then there will be more rehearsals and we can communicate better. However, this experience has also made me be more acquainted with the people from other majors. I get to know how they work, how they behave, their views and perceptions, attitudes and beliefs. It was a great time with the Lloyd, Yan Yan, Annie, Shehana and Ernst because our friendship bonds grew and developed. We learn how to communicate and collaborate throughout the devising process.
At some points in time, we could not come into agreements regarding timings and schedules because some have to meet up with friends, some have classes, but we worked out by meeting online on Google Docs to discuss. It is a frustrating process but I learn how to deal with it with patience and understanding. I have to deal with it patiently and in a mature way because I do not want to hurt anyone and strain our friendship ties. It all comes down to empathy and understanding for each other, willing to sacrifice or compromise without complaining. In any ways, I learn much more when I give my time. A sacrifice that is worth it.
We watched a performance online and was inspired by their ideas.
http://vimeo.com/21261354
"The Intruder" (L'intruse, by Maurice Maeterlinck - 1890).
The clip from the play belongs to Comparsaria Teatro's staging in 2006 in São Paulo.
dir: Fernando Faria
venue: Casarão do Belvedere
cast: Cristina Lázaro, Márcio Santos, Edson Rosa, Rogério Rodrigues.
Performance Day
I am surprised that our performance on that day was great compared to all our rehearsals. We were able to create the atmosphere because I feel that the creating that eerie, dark, terrifying atmosphere is most important in our play. The elements that I mentioned above contributed in creating this atmosphere.
All the time we are improvising despite rehearsals. No one rehearsal is exactly the same. It is different and there is something in each rehearsal that we can analyse, examine, explore and experiment other possibiities. We may find that one try not satisfying because of something, therefore, we rehearse and re-act in another way to find the breakthrough to successful acting. During the play, some of the things that needs to happen did not happen. For example, I am to react to the chair which suppose to move when the grandfather said 'someone is there in the midst of us', but it did not move. So I had to improvise and continue on the play as if there is no fault.
If the chair is suppose to move but it didn't, do we then consider it as a mistake? If something does not happen according to plan, do we see it as a mistake or something that is a challenge to us? This is where we improvise according to our intuition base on our acting skills and knowledge. We have to be sensitive and spontaneous on stage. It is this mentality that we have to embrace and be prepared for unforeseen happenings on stage. It goes the same for music performances. It only becomes a mistake when we react and respond in a confusing and unprepared way.
It was a successful performance where we were satisfied with our play. I was happy that we accomplished what we did and every member's contribution was not wasted. It was the combined efforts of each and every one of us that made this play successful. We all have different roles in the play (Actors, lighting technicians, effects manager, leader, time-keeper etc.). It doesn't matter how big or small the roles are but how committed we are in doing our roles. It is the amount of effort we put in that matters and not how significant the things we do matters.
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