We began the lesson with Bekki finally getting chance to show us her presentation on the costumes and props in Bunraku. I think by everyone researching a different aspect and giving a presentation was good in many ways:
- We all took good notes on eachother presentations and the information.
- it gave us another practise for the TPPP's by speaking outloud in public, linking things together
- it also helped with researching skills
Thursday 26th September:
Today was the deadline for our first RI draft hand in. A few of us needed more time.
I felt really bad because we knew that this was the date for ages but most of us missed it. I didn't want to hand mine in because I knew there were problems in it that I wanted to change over the weekend otherwise I thought there was no point handing it in with mistakes I knew were already there because we only get one redraft and it would be a waste. I should have gone and spoken to Mr Fearnehough before the lesson about it but I was stupid so next time I know.
After the big talk on RI and deadlines, we went into the other room and did more work with the sticks. We tried balancing the sticks in different body parts and looking at techniques. We had a whole discussion on us needing to be committed and focused on the tasks like true masters would be. After we had to do a REALLY painful (as I described it) exercise. We had to stand with our knees slighty bent and arms stretched out. At the beginning, I couldn't focus. I was looking to see what everyone else was doing and it seemed like everyone had their own ways of getting through this task. Abby had her eyes closed, so I tried it but I felt way worse doing it. Axel started at the stick and I tried it, it felt easier to do it and I could focus for a while but then Axel mentioned when the time for three minutes had started, that was when the pain got worse because and I felt the same. I had this sick feeling in my stomach more than anything because I felt really uncomfortable standing the way I was. It was something my body was not used to but this is something we have to keep in mind during Bunraku. Each lesson now I have come across an uncomfortable feeling that I have to power through it and continue because it is not about me, it is about what I am doing and in the Bunraku case, it is abot the puppets.
Friday 27th September:
Today is our double lesson so we had plenty of time to get into some practical work.
We were firstly shown a quote from the book "Zen In the Art of Archery" the quote was "if one really wished to be a master of an art, technical knowledge of it is not enough. One has to transcend technique so that the art becomes an 'artless art', growing out of the inconcious"
My reaction to this quote is that I thought we could relate to it because we have to excel ourselves during Bunraku and in theatre as a whole. I have to go beyond my normal motivation and push myself to carry on, not give up not matter how difficult or painful a task may be. It can link to commedia dell'arte because this is the skill and technique of theatre to make people laugh just like Bunraku takes 20 years to learn. You have to take time and effort to master and make these passions or tasks perfect.
We then did more tasks with sticks. We began just on our own, then with out eyes closed and then with two people. I was first with Axel and we had to keep the stick between our fingers and move around without dropping it. I was the leader at first and it felt quite easy and we had a lot of energy and focus between us. Then after we tried it without a leader but we had to keep eye contact. I found this very difficult to focus on two things at once and also as there was no leader, it felt like I was the leader just because I felt I had to move direction otherwise it would drop. I guess sometimes I am quite bossy and lead but it was natural but it felt right for both Axel and I.
I then got paired with Abby and we had to keep a stick together in a different place of the body. We tried the elbows, arms, noses but the best things we tried was between the legs. We realised we had to be synchronised when walking with the stick and we had to have 100% concentration. I felt pleased with our result because I know that Abby & I struggled the most with using the stick so to understand the technique and concentration was good.
We then got into a group and had to keep the stick between our fingers. Abby was at the front, Axel & Bekki in the middle and I was at the end. I think I may have had the easiest job but it was still difficult to keep up with the line sometimes and keep the stick in place. I really enjoyed this task because I felt that it was fun but we really created a fun bond between the group more. We were concentrated but we had to understand and stay focused because there were way more distractions outside the "safe room".
There was some sort of discipline that if we dropped the stick we would have to start again at the beginning, but we only had an hour so this would be a bit difficult.
Throughout all the stick games, I thought sometimes they were a bit of fun and a laugh but I am really starting to realise properly that they have showed me a lot of skills I need in theatre as a whole and Bunraku. When I used to drop the stick, I would laugh and carry on because I was embarrassed but also I didn't think it was much of a problem. Now when I drop the stick, I am frustrated because I want to succeed because I find it more important to myself.
The final exercises we did in the day, were a type of massage. It required four people around one body which was lay on the back. The massage was a firm pat all over the body and then a swipe and a rub of the hands to create heat. I didn't think this massage would have much of an affect but Bekki & Axel did the massage and said it had a VERY big effect. I usually am quite comfortable with people but I felt a bit more reserved this time to go but now other people have tried it, I feel fine :)
I did feel a bit conscious touching other people but I think we all get used to where is appropriate and what people don't want and we all respect that. But it requires a lot of trust :)
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