It’s the final blog post, and its time to share my overall experiences, struggles and outcomes.
Over the process it is safe to say my show has changed dramatically. Although aggression and feminism have always been main themes, the performance style has been altered numerous times.
Firstly I would like to talk about the final performance.
A show based on the ideas that women should be perceived in a certain way, this can be regarding looks, ad/or personality. I started the performance sat on a chair, In a red dress, heeled shoes, curled hair and makeup. As the show began I spoke about the dangers of society and what putting pressures such as these stated above on women can do to their self-esteem.
The show followed an easy pattern; music, section of dialogue; music; section of rap/poem, and so on. This was a deliberate decision, to help make my performance informative but also visually appealing, with numerous different elements, such as poems, raps and facts. Not only did this help the story come together, it also divided the performance, creating clear sections in which I could talk about different ways of feminism or aggression can be shown.
Although the idea for my show had appeared quite early on, is still was reluctant to show anyone. I had performed it half-heartedly in front of flatmate and timed each section so I knew where to add more, however had only practised fully in the mirror while no one was watching. Probably the worst decision as I become incredibly nervous as the audience entered. However, to my relief all went well! Audience member laughed at sections, and some even cried at others. I never thought my script was moving, but I think the passion and rawness that come across made the overall viewing experience more momentous.
The subject, whether it be personal or not to audiences, still had elements that everyone could relate to. One of the most frequent comments I received was the love for the rap about my mum. Understandably most people have a strong connection with their parent, especially mother, so that section of the performance was easily relatable. Another was the exposing of my body and removing of makeup. Many people that came to watch the performance would know that these two elements were extremely difficult for me to perform to a crowd. However I wanted this module to push me out of my comfort zone, found in comedy and challenge me to a new type of theatre. Again sections like these allow you to become vulnerable, and the audience begin to appreciate it.
So did I enjoy it?
I loved every moment. From the quivering knees at the begging to the overwhelming amount of support at the end, I can honestly the those 9 minuets 30 something seconds amounted to one of the best university performances I could have devised.
I enjoyed it for myself more so than for the consumption of others, and I learned a lot. Having a performance that is personal and simple yet so effect is the best way to go. I knew from the off set I wasn’t going to over complicate my piece with tech, strobes and fog machines, and being able to perform such a stripped back show, containing only two lighting states and 5 music changes was the way forward.
Would I change anything?
Probably not. I surprised myself. If anything I would read over the script a few more times, voice recording myself so I could listen back to it, ensuring I wasn’t speaking to fast. However in reality I think that worked. The stumbling over words and breathing heavily while expressing emotions made the while performance seem real, not staged and from the heart.
altogether i feel i created a story personal to me which others can take away and do with it what they please.