[Ahead of Nikolai Foster’s first
production at Leicester’s Curve as Artistic Director, one of the assistant
directors/ stage managers gives an insight into rehearsals for Timberlake
Wertenbaker’s 1988 play Our Country’s Good]
‘It’s a theatrical
custom, the company is formally introduced to each other’
(Our Country’s Good: Act One,
Scene Eleven)
The first week of rehearsals for Our Country’s Good began in the studio at Curve. Although not all
rehearsals will take place in here and the room currently looks different to
what it will look like for the performances, it gave the cast a feel for the
size of the space. After initial introductions were made, the company sat down
for a readthrough of the script, giving the opportunity to hear Wertenbaker’s
words read aloud for the first time and in the
voices that will inhabit each character. After each scene, Nikolai and
the cast discussed the text, getting to grips with unfamiliar terminology and
bringing in points picked up from prior research. For instance, we talked about
the famous actors of the 18th century such as Garrick and Kemble who
are mentioned in one scene and how knowing more about them informs the cast’s
interpretation of their characters. The day ended with the cast being measured
for their costumes.
Over the next two days, the company started to put the play
on its feet, starting with making a ship for the first scene. The production is
going for a stripped back feel, which this scene epitomises. In a simple, yet
very theatrical and poetic way, Nikolai and the cast have begun to explore ways
to evoke the barbarity and longing that exist amongst the fleet of English
convicts. It looks to be a powerful
opening tableau. Another scene which was focused on was Scene 3 where the
officers are shooting birds whilst discussing the convicts. As this production
will be staged in the round, the company are discovering the power of
diagonals, and so it has been especially interesting to see how characters make
their entrances and where they look up to shoot. The cast were also encouraged
to be specific with the play’s use of Wertenbaker’s language and how
punctuation helps to give a stronger sense of narrative and informs character
motivation. Furthermore, in looking at the officers’ physicality and how they
might carry their guns, the actors have started to build a level of detail which
will help solidify the world of the play.
Although we have just begun the rehearsal process, we have
started to thoroughly explore the play which will further our ability to tell its story well. The cast now has a week off
to individually work through their scripts and are looking forward to returning
to rehearsals to continue working through this exciting play which acts as an
affirmation of theatre and its value in society.
Our Country’s Good, directed by Nikolai Foster, plays
at Curve, Leicester 16th-18th April, 2015. It is a co-production
with De Montfort University students.
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