We accomplished much on blocking today! That makes me very happy and confident that we will be ready in time. Although I don't think a piece can ever truly be ready...

The practice was a little shorter than anticipated as Lee was running late, however the stage became free just as she arrived, so it was all in all good timing.

We discussed costuming first as I wanted to discuss it at some point today anyway, and the setting is important to blocking as well. I've been tossing up with a setting since I first chose this scene. My first impression is to leave it in its original era. However, I would be doing that simply because I like historical things, and not particularly because it has any relevance to the audience. I also did not want to set it in modern day, as it seems the 'easy option'. I know its because it is relevant to audiences, however I want to do something a little different. A slightly older setting will also retain slight alienation, which will allow the audience to gain more from the performance if Brecht is to be believed, and also show that this scenario could happen anywhere - which adds to the humour and reality of this scene. As I was pondering, my sister suggested the 1920s, which I immediately latched onto: this was the first era when women's fashion started to imitate male attire. Pants for woman became acceptable, and short hair was the rage. It is the perfect setting for a woman pretending to be a man. Secondary reasons for this selection include the potential to incorporate a gangster element in Viola (like the messenger sent by the gang, the lackey), the fun and carefree yet rebellious attitude of this time that matches the attitudes of some of the characters in Twelfth Night, not to mention the potential for awesome costumes. Even though the set is not important as it is out of our control, the brick wall of the Beggar's Opera set also matches the 1920s: it has the atmosphere of a secret meeting in a dark alleyway - very gangstery.

Consequentially, the girls shall be dressed in 1920s clothing. I printed some images of the internet to represent the attire of this period for both men and women. After discussion we decided Shannon would wear a black dress, black gloves, a black short wig with a hat and veil on top, and carry a black bead purse. Lee will wear baggy brown or black pants with a white shirt, suspenders, a white gangster hat, and a flower in her lapel.

We then commenced further work on blocking. We worked slowly but in detail, stopping to refine movements a little before moving on. We blocked the first 2/3rd of the scene, then repeated it from the beginning to solidify the movements. I'm happy with the general look of it - I'm trying to find a good balance between static and forced. There are some great opportunities in this scene - such as Viola down on one knee to give the speech, Olivia telling her to leave - which create interesting moments. I'm trying to use the movements to emphasise the emotions, as they are so crucial to this scene. The acting also needs to be a little bigger, as the space is quite big for two actors. I'm using a very simple set - a single table and chair that will be in the theatre from the Beggar's Opera, and thus the actors do not have many items to move around, or to hide behind. The tension is therefore not emphasised by the furniture, and must be portrayed through the actors alone.