The Importance of Being Earnest Rehearsal Notes
4.26.2011
Techies- Once again, you ALL need to wear your blacks. This is not optional. Most of you did, but some of you just wore regular clothes.
Actors- You CANNOT eat the props backstage. Including the sugar cubes. The only people who should eat anything are the people who eat on stage, and even then they only eat while they are on the stage.
Techies- No electronics backstage. Period.
Hair/make-up- Gwendolen has a stray piece of hair that was clearly visible. Please fix it in the future.
Hair- make-up. THE HAIR OF ALL ACTORS MUST BE PERFECT WHEN THEY GO ON. FIX IT IF IT FALLS.
Act One
Techies- Each night we need to make sure the stage had been swept- we cannot start the show until we are sure there are no screws on the stage. Also, make sure all the doors are closed and the work lights also need to be off.
Good entrance, Lane! Also, try not to move during the silhouette
Props- sherry should be darker, redder
Algy, enunciate! We couldn't understand your first lines at all
Lane, 1.10. Also, project! Your voice needs to carry through the theater so we can all hear you
Jack, same problem as Algy on your entrance! Enunciate!
Both of you, good physicalization! I believe you are your characters
Jack, more energy! You seem a little tired of the play- you know who's coming, so play tup
Jack, we like the 'affected' normal- just make it bolder
Crew, you can't walk into the auditorium in the middle of a show any more! It's almost time for the real thing!
Jack- where you were standing behind the couch meant you were in shadow- move more toward the center of the stage where the lights are bright turning the Tunbridge wells rant
Sound crew, no one in the balcony can exit and enter- we can hear the doors slam shut.
Good dynamic, Algy and Jack! During the bunburyist conversation you have a very interesting dynamic that pulls the audiences' attention
Algy, good subtext about the dinner with Aunt Augusta!!! We can see and hear it!
Jack 7.1. Jack, we need more active listening from you- you tend to tune out when you aren't talking. And Algy is saying some very interesting things during this scene!
Nick -Sound, you missed the doorbell cue!!!!
Algy, VAHgnerian. not wagnerian.
Costume, more aging on LB. Especially around the eyes and mouth
Algy, you are leaning away from LB during the 'using Bunbury as an escape' chat, and you look a uncomfortable. It's your house
LB, we need subtext- the stakes need to be higher about his not coming to dinner and possibly missing your last party for the season. It's quite important!
Nice stutter, Jack. We cans see just how nervous you are about proposing to Gwen.
Jack, 'girl' needs a softer r.
Sound, the piano music is good
Jack, nice reaction to her "I love your name" speech
Jack 10.18- close, so close. You managed to cover for this one, but it didn't quite take in the idea of the line.
Gwen, I liked how you got pouty "yes, but you don't say it". Stunning.
LB, you need to enter sooner- you enter as if you have already seen them- but you can't have. You enter, then see them. We need to be able to see your reaction.
LB, what is the subtext, where is the indignation at the thought of their engagement?You lack energy- you seem very tired.
LB 12.17. WHERE IS YOUR ENERGY?! Up the ante! You are looking at a possible husband, and he's getting steadily more attractive to you as he continues to answer questions as a suitable man for your only daughter
Jack 13.7- this line trips the other Jack up, too.
LB, we need a stronger sense of interrogation, the importance of what;'s happening. You are interrogating him. He is a criminal in your mind at the moment, and his answers determine his fate.
LB, where is your purse during this scene? You wouldn't set it on the floor, and I didn't see it on the table?
Lb "social indiscretion". We can't feel your shock, your anger- in fact, we're not sure what you think of this, we can only try to figure it out from the words alone.
LB- nice swagger on the exit, however, you need to stand up straighter!
Jack, enunciate, your accent changed during the line on "Before you" Good reaction to realizing you insulted his family.
Jack, nice job with "clever". Distain is apparent.
Jack 16.9 Nice attempt at covering- you found your way in the end. However, we could see that you were struggling with your lines.
Jack.. "she…. has a capital appetite" Your voice went up on she- a sure sign to the audience that you are searching for the words!
Algy, your energy is fantastic!
Jack, the smile over your shoulder at Algy was funny, but misplaced. You are very upset at the moment about the failure of your proposal (due to LB).
Jack, wait until she's got the journal to say the address- although as I was writing this you realized this.
Algy, make sure you don't hit Lane while you are gesturing- that could result in an accident!
Algy, sip the sherry- it isn't poisonous! Also, you wouldn't be able to drink a large amount, nor would you, at once.
Act Two
Andi, great pose, just like you are part of the silhouette!
Prism, enunciate- the lines ending in "Higher sense of duty" were a trifle hard to understand. Crisp consonants.
Both Prism, Cecily, need to enunciate more! You're words are getting lost, and you've got some good lines
DC, great improvement on physicalization
Cecily, when you cross to the bench, we need to feel that you are trying to get out of your work- not like you and Prism are chums.
Prism, when Ceci comes to you on the bench, know that she's trying to get out of her work.
DC, you go quiet during the lines and we can't hear you. Project.
Merrimen, "Worthing." Enunciate.
Ceci, stand up straight. Good posture would have been essential for a girl from the Victorian era.
Ceci, we want some more status play between you and Algy- we want to see you being vulnerable
Ceci, Good cover on the australia line
Ceci, slow down your words. They blur together. Page 25, line13
Ceci, open up on the marechal niel- also, we want to see your reaction when you figure out that he only wants what you've got.
Marychris, Chausuble's sleeves seem a bit long?
Jack, late entrance for the morning scene- come in a few seconds earlier
DC Drawhts, not drats. Articulation, Chas!
DC, you are still doing those gestures from below your waist. Don't be afraid of taking them up- indeed, please do- the current movements are only an annoyance and may go unnoticed during the real deal.
Dc, careful of the american ah sound
Jack, the pocket watch goes in a waistcoat pocket- it would never be in the breast pocket.
Makeup- more aging makeup for Prism, please.
Algy, Laying the stem of the rose down the front of the jacket will allow the collar to sit straight rather than flaring out
Algy, we liked how you played with the "you have to keep shaking my hand" - keep it going longer, until they've left the room, let us see how much you are enjoying it.
Jack 30.14. That pocket watch is getting in the way- move it to a more accessible pocket! Your fumbling to get it out is out of character and distracting.
Jack, make sure we see the look on your face when you realize what Algy is after- namely, Cecily.
Ceci "Is he gong to…" one example of your over exited line reciting. Slow it down, or we won't be able to understand a word you say during the actual show.
Costume crew- Curl the BACK of Cecily's hair. We can see that, too.
Merirman, enter sooner after "wildly, passionately…" and more quietly. Your footsteps were far too loud
Merriman, we want you to exit with a spring in your step- a little skip, an elaborate hop, a physical yippee.
Maryhcirs, I think that Algy's sleeves on the purple suit are too long- he has to fish his hands out during the scenes
Ceci- if you turn towards the back you need to articulate much more! We are losing 75% of what you say when you turn to look back at Algy. you need to Articulate. CRISP consonants.
Algy- kudos. You are entirely committed to your character, you are your character, and his energy and commitment to the moment are coming through well
Gwen- articulate. I can understand what you are saying most of the time, but every once in a while you slip and a word is too quick.
Costume- Gwen's belt was on sideways. The buckle was not centered. If this can be fixed, pals do. If it can't, don't worry about it.
Cecily, 35.5. Good attempt to cover, but you ended up skipping rather far ahead. Go over the scene once more, and you'll have it.
Merriman- for setting up the tea your costume ended up awry, with the jacket tucked into the waistcoat. Make sure the suit is straight and in place before going on stage
Ceci, use the knife to cut the cake. That is it's purpose.
Gwen,good shuffle walk to Jack
Ceci, you should reveal in the unveiling of Jack's identity- you just lost, in your mind, a rival of Earnest's affections
Ceci, don't look back at Gwen- look at Adam, or the attention goes to her alone.
Jack, good cover for the broken china. Algy, do not pick the china up. Leave it where it lays. You have been brought up with servants cleaning up your every mess- and they will now.
Jack, though it was a good cover, think of how Jack would have used the fact that Algy just broke his china. You could yell at him about the china.
Jack- no stroking non existent beards. Funny, but no.
Algy, nice touch of bringing the pinky up as you drink your tea
Jack, you need to be at the muffins for him to be able to say you are at the muffins again, remember to reach for it before he says the line. Probably start during your line.
Jack, don't move after you have frozen. HOLD IT.
Sound, make sure that the only sounds that come out of the speakers during the show are sounds that are supposed to come out of the speakers during the show
Act Three
Nick, someone's got to be checking the door backstage to make sure it isn't locked!!!
Algernon and Jack, sychronize whistle
Sound, why is there music playing during act 3
Merriman, your fly is open
Costume crew, amanda's hair is falling out, either retouch it during all intermission or make it more sturdy
Lady bracknell, don't curtsy to Cecily, maybe a slight head nod. Act more superior. You are the most important person in the room, and you know it.
Costume crew, Bracknell's hair looks better but it is lop sided and frizzy, please clean it up a bit
Bracknel, make a very obvious switch from being snooty to liking Cecily
Brack doesn't sound that you know your lines. You have left your script here a number of times so if you haven't been practicing then we assume you know your lines
Prism slower, and don't mumble
Cast, anyone who has a free first or second period talk to Peerenboom
Both Cast, when prism says lady bracknell can tell you who you are, everybody look at Bracknell
Jack when you find out you have a brother, be more exited
Bracknell, bigger reaction to when Jack calls you Aunt Augusta
Gwendolen- You need to be louder and project more.
