14/11 notes

 In today's lesson we took part in a Workshop lesson we took part in a Mask Workshop. We learnt all sorts of things about Masks, how they are used in theatre, the correct ways to use them and different forms of Performances using Masks.

 First of all, we took part in an activity that involved mirroring the facial expression that portrayed the facial expressions on each of the 3 masks, a still body image and a movement sequence . The three masks each had very different expressions so it meant that each facial expression, still body image and movement sequence we did was very different. The part of the activity that I found most useful was the movement sequence. This is because when wearing a mask you're body language and movement is the only way you can physically portray your character as you can't use your own facial expression when performing with a Mask- it's already been given to you and it stays static (it never changes unless you physically change the mask. You also can't use you're voice to show character as one of the Golden Rules of Mask Performance is to not speak whilst wearing a Mask.

We then learnt the Golden Rules to Performing with a Mask:

1. Never Talk or use any form of Speech.
2. Always face the audience.
3. Always face the back if/when you need to change you're mask. (The audience can't see you're actual face or it will ruin the performance.)
4. Never touch your Mask whilst on stage.

 We then did another activity about 'Internal Monologues'. These are essentially monologues but there is no spoken dialogue. This also used with masks so we had to portray our stories simply through movement and body posture.

We then did another activity on Lazzi which was about Comic Action (Commedia del'arte). This activity involved us devising a comic piece with masks on to show to the rest of class. We did this in pairs and my partner was Emily G. We devised a piece around a chair that had a sign on saying 'Do Not Sit Here'. We created a humorous mime that involved Emily getting angry at me for sitting on the chair. This activity was helpful as it was the first workshop I have done on Commedia del'arte and it's importance in the industry.

 If we were to use Masks in Medea it would create a lot of problems but if we used them in the right places it could also be very effective. It would add a new dimension the play but would also mean that we'd have to use characters that don't say any lines as you can't use any dialogue with a mask on. We decided that we were going to use the masks for Medea's children. This is because they have a very limited amount of dialogue and we could work the mask use around some of their scenes. I think the decision to get the children to wear masks is very interesting and will be effective because it suggests that the children are vulnerable and almost thought of as 'not real'. This is incredibly interesting and effective as it refers to the fact that in the play they are thought of as the characters as possessions not people.