understanding purpose etc

The week had been full of trying to make ideas, concepts, character journeys work in the devised and self-blocking the Shakespeare. NOT something I am well versed in! I have been getting into a stupor because essentially Adam and I have to do it ourselves and his focus – in a lot of ways, understandably – has been on the devised as he is director/editor. But we are Beatrice and Bene and it is quick important to me. I completely understand what I’m saying but how to make my body logically move to what I’m saying is, well, not a strength. And it isn’t with him either. So, I feel, we have a responsibility to put more effort in to create an exciting, dynamic performance. And I think Stu expects that, he doesn’t have as much time to spend on the ‘professionals.’ Quite frankly, I think we’re being unprofessional not working on it!

Yesterday, I went to get the bicycle from Stuart’s house, and rode down to the park where I spent time ambling up and down the field getting the words into my body.

Sequences like ‘Hero! Why, Hero! Help Uncle! Signior Benedick! Friar!’ are all punctuated with the feeling of someone who is struggling. And I have hated saying that line so much. But that’s because I’ve just been saying the line, not playing a strong enough action to it. So my goal this week is to spend active time by myself physicalising my scenes, I simply wont feel secure in the work otherwise.

The week has also brought up a lot of rethinking the purpose of my time here. With the Shakespeare, I’m – as you can tell – really working on understanding the words viscerally and trying to bring as much as myself to Beatrice as possible. We are much more similar than I initially thought.

The devised is funny this year, because, last year it became apparent early on that I was the star attraction, with the more interesting characters and I really relished in playing them. This time, I haven’t created both of them from the ground up and I disagree with a lot of the decisions that are being made. Not from my character’s points of view (though I have been fighting for the purpose of my character’s within the journey of the play) but the purpose of the play in it’s entirety. I think the danger with devising farce is that we end up making it for ourselves, and not only forget it’s for an audience, but it is for an American audience. So we have to adjust, adjust, adjust. Make the story pertinent to them, interesting to them, amusing to them.

Otherwise, we will realise, as we did in a lesser way last time, that we had to shift quite a lot after the first performance.

Right, that is my rant on that. What else did we do this week? Well, can’t remember a lot – it was fairly chilled. – but Friday, we all went for cocktails after the run then had a pool party then attempted to go to town. I was so glad I made myself have an early night. The others were up till about 6am and were shattered all weekend! Saturday Adam, Felix and I went on an epic bush/river walk into town, saw a snake - who was scary at first but then seemed very unimpressive - and had a lovely relaxed dinner at my favourite place MAMBO ITALIANO and as I wrote, I got the bike Sunday, which is super. Felix – who I’ve grown very fond of, he is super kind hearted and generous – also has a bike, and we rode to meet each other at the hot pools, after realising my togs are NOT suitable for lane swimming (I flashed my bits to an entire, stricken looking Indian family…) we headed to happy hour at Mahogany Ridge, where $3 mojitos were poured and we sat in the sun and idly chatted while testing Shakespeare lines on one another. Lovely. Finally, we got on our bikes and headed round by the river all the way back to the mountain – which is no easy feat! It was long and the river trail was closed in certain areas, because the river was running over it – we drove through and got very wet, giggling all the way, the sunset hitting the mountains on our right, the botanic gardens lit up with a wedding party on our left. Idyllic.

Then, Felix headed up the mountain and I continued on to the movie theatre, where a free pass got me into see the new Woody Allen, which I loved. LOVED. So charming and weird. I really liked Owen Wilson playing a hopeless romantic and the character choices made by the 20s character. I adore Woody. He’s so hit and miss. But always investigating what he is interested in. And he pokes fun at himself several times in the film. I imagine if he was 30 years younger, he’d be playing the protagonist.

Sigh. Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more.

SONNETS

I've been writing a ton of sonnets lately, here are some.

EACH OTHER – A Midnight Sonnet for Amelia and Shadon

My eyes look upon you so rich with pride

Mutual affection and respect so evident

It’s that kind of loving keeping souls alive

These words a token of thanks – a present

For you have shown me how to teach with love

Inspire, not hinder – elegant grace

Supportive, hand in hand each others glove

And constant admiration of each others face

Not always easy to strive for good fate

Challenge and bravery you soldiers both

Keep curious of your cheeky soul mate

Honour yourselves everyday through this oath

Ebony and Ivory, Sos and Sha

Gloriously twined in each others hearts.

with love from Kate

SONNET ON A SUNDAY

Deliberate scheming of hours spent

Trying not to hustle my own true fate

In this I mention my heart is to rent

Even squabble, get you into a date

A candlelit dinner: too much to ask?

Or rose petals enveloping my bed

Am I jumping the gun moving too fast

Ultimately worse if nothing was said

We don't look correct next to the other

Magnetism I feel is too confused

Perhaps you feel you're more like a brother

I think that is undeniably rude

I sigh with optimism, pain and love

Fly back to me, open your wings, my dove

Sonnet #2 FOR THE BIRD SONG

A crime of patience should a lady wait

Her skin coils at the foiling of this plot

Judgement spurns a narrowing fear of hate

Is this the girl that everyone forgot?

One grey hair on him conveys dignity

On her it sticks her deeper down the well

Never again will looks be called pretty

And now it is her body she shall sell

Not on the street a bed she’ll lay her case

Be desired by men who pay the price

Her power shines and gleams upon her face

Only in her dreams she will ever think twice

He ruined her for that he’ll go to hell

While like a witch on men, she’ll cast her spell.

FROM A LOVE TAIL

JEZEBEL

Two Jail Cells similar in size and place

Do we present this Shock ridden Rhyme

Imagination takes from black box to new space

About cat and dog - enemies as long as time

From forth the cold brevity of these two rooms

A pair of flea sharing criminals take some life

Whose misfortune of meeting, puts rules in turmoil

Not quite as simple as a man and wife

But holding continuance of years full of hate

Which the telling of this could not amend the fight

Now becomes the hairy story of love and fate

In an hour we'll endevour to do justice to this plight

And your job to listen with us, a way unlike before

With this experiment and build a rapport.

Part 2

And so it is you I trust

Maketh me angry I may combust

This treaty, this madness you must impart

Brings with it great implication of a broken heart

I taste your sweet breath through walls chink

Sideways I look, dangerous to blink

Gift me something other than your love

It is worse than fleabites on which I munch

I think of you, I know it's wrong

So here it is, my life's lonely song

Forever entwined and accustomed to fail

Here you are: In my Love Tail

Gym bunnies, healthy life and theatrical times.

A relaxing weekend here in the boat.

The boys have gone off to have a gay ol' time in Denver in honour of PRIDE WEEK. I am looking forward to hearing their stories.

This'll be a short post by the bye, because I am off to the gym!

Yesterday, after writing script, I hooned it off down there and spent a good 40 minutes on cardio then an additional ten on weights. My warmup was the 20 minute walk into town. It makes me feel better for being in the land of processed food where everything seems to have traces of corn syrup.

I've set a wee goal for myself, so this blog is gonna chronicle that. Seeing as we have no scales here, I'm going to the dollar store to buy a measuring tape.

Watch this space.

The weather has been abysmal, cold and dreary. Not to mention the thunder and lightning. Gah.

I did not pack for cold weather, so it has been layers, upon layers, upon layers.

Anyway, Sat night we went out to Perry Mansfield again and saw BOY WONDER, a great reading of a play that really should've been a film. It dealt with family issues, superhero genre, sexuality and friendship. The actors were superb. In one short week, they had created fully rounded, delicious characters, so we could really see the play beyond them holding scripts in hand.

Yesterday, I did some writing - finally finished off 'THE REALLY, LIKE, REAL MEAN GIRLS" Script, which is still in draft mode. But I'm proud to say I finished it.

Here is an excerpt:

ROSIE
Seriously. What?

LILEE

What?

RHIANNON

We’re having a Potter Summit at Yampa Park

LILEE

Oh my God. Who is?

RHIANNON

Me. Kyle Edwards. Mary. Tina. Craig. Simon. Lisa P and Lisa M

ROSIE

(over the top of Shannon)

See Rhiannon . This is why we aren’t friends with you anymore

They laugh

ROSIE

Just kidding.

LILEE
But not really

RHIANNON

I have a cape

ROSIE

Shut up in your mouth right now Rhiannon .

RHIANNON

I…

LILEE

Shut. Up.

The boys begin to file off the bus.

LILEE

Oh my God. Bye Sam. Give me a hug! Ok. Bye.

ROSIE

Bye. Have fun. That sweater was a really good choice. For your skin.

LILEE/ROSIE

Byeeee

They ignore Rhiannon while they look out the window to see if the boys will look at them. One of them surreptitiously takes a photo with her iPhone.

LILEE
Ok, so. What?

RHIANNON

Huh?

ROSIE/LILEE

The cape.

RHIANNON

Do you want to see it.

ROSIE

Oh my God. What is actually happening right now

RHIANNON

Uh. I’m showing you my cape

LILEE

Shut up

RHIANNON
Ok…

Then, as I said, went to the gym. Then a health store wrap later, I was back off to Perry Mansfield to see CHIMERA, a one woman show beautifully executed by a woman named Suli Holum and Deborah Stein - this is the Wiki explanation of what a Chimera is

The Chimera or Chimaera ( /kɪˈmɪərə/ or /kaɪ–/; Greek: Χίμαιρα,Khimaira, from χίμαρος, khimaros, “she-goat”) was, according to Greek mythology, a monstrous fire-breathing female creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, composed of the parts of multiple animals: upon the body of alioness with a tail that ended in a snake’s head, the head of a goat arose on her back at the center of her spine. The Chimera was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of such monsters as Cerberus and theLernaean Hydra. The term chimera has also come to mean, more generally, an impossible or foolish fantasy, hard to believe.

Co-creators Deborah Stein and Suli Holum have created a highly theatrical exploration of medical chimerism—the phenomenon of containing two different sets of DNA within one body—in order to explore what happens when technology shatters our ideas of who we think we are. They use conventions such as narration - similar to that in OUR TOWN - to start a fresh, engaged relationship with the audience. The performer, Suli, felt strong enough in the character of Coffee Lady that she was able to tell people off for having cellphones on 'This is a kitchen. This is a theatre!' and start short conversations with them - and all within her control, a very accurate reading of the audience. She flipped between the Coffee Lady character (who was the narrator but I think also the other face of Jennifer Samuels, the protagonist) Jennifer Samuels and her son, Bryan. It was very inspirational in how to tackle my French solo. I realised I can have other people comment on my protagonist, and in doing so, create more mystery around her. In fact, Suli used rhythm changes and movement sequences to tell more about the character than her speaking did. Very viewpoints and very alive.

Tres Tres Excitement!

Afterwards, beautiful Steve lent me his car (he works at Perry) and Martine and I went grocery shopping, made dinner, went back to pick him up, then went to see a free movie BRIDESMAIDS. Hilarious. I wholeheartedly recommend this purely for entertainment value film. Written and starring Kristin Wiig, it is heartwarming to see a strong female actress who is unconventionally attractive (more so in confidence than classic beauty) write something that pulls at heart strings, empowers and gives 6 women the chance to nail great, well drawn characters. I bet there are people out there who completely disagree and will wank on about feminism. But it is a different sort of feminism. Kristin Wiig has turned social conventions on it's head - anything you (men) can do, I can do better. And in a lot of senses she does. So boom. That's awesome. I'm gonna do that too one day. I'm gonna write a schema and hit that shit. That's all for now.

Update on Luau and life. Yars

A little Luau time.

I didn't really finish the last blog aannnnd forgot to actually upload it... so sorry.

The luau was fabulous. A bevy of organisation - the menu, the decorations, the guest list. The night sort of split itself into three sections. Quite by accident. We had family time, food time and party time.

Felix compiled a playlist featuring beach boys etc but we did move onto the musical stylings of Gaga later into the night.

We had the night in honour of Hiro, Felix's partner. (Photo below) He travelled from Japan for a week, so he could have a short time with his love. It was divine to see love alive. They are very very sweet.

In the last post, I started by saying the week was going really, really fast. It did and it has.

When there is an event, it seems to monopolize days. Days are written off, because you're still: cleaning up, doing things you were meant to do on the day/days of the event, getting sleep, etc, etc, etc. So, my focus has been on rehearsals and I haven't had an awful lot of time for anything else.

However, last night was Friday, we rocked up to Perry Mansfield for the dance new works festival. A guy called Kyle Abraham choreographing. His style is a real mixture of ballet, hiphop, jazz, contemporary and acting. The discrepancy between the three works was extreme. The first piece, a delightful romantic Valentine's day collaboration. Whimsical and easy to watch. The 2nd, boring. An example of seeing the process of contemporary moves on stage and looked like dance school warmups. Also, dancers trying to do serious acting, meaningful offers is uncomfortable to see.

But the third piece was by far the best. An amalgamation of all styles. Real frisson between performers and music. It made me think heaps about how the meeting of different rhythms really brings excitement, conflict, interest. For example in this dance work, they had popping and locking during a beautiful classical piece. I now am thinking about the conflict, the beats, the actions in the Shakespeare and the difference between my two characters in Civilisation. I want to create movement in the audience. That's where my thoughts are at for the week.

So, after I finish this post, I'm gonna get dressed, do some script writing, then script analysis and go to the gym. Boys have gone off to Gay Pride Weekend in Denver so I'm gonna catch up. And I feel really, really good about it.

After the show last night, we went out dancing at the Ghost Ranch Saloon. WHICH WAS GREAT! Hiphop night, I popped (my knee out) locked (my neck) and boogied my body all night long. My only whinge is that I don't have a girl here with me who is on the same buzz as me in regards to going out being wingwoman for each other, on the search for fun dancing and nice guys. Sigh. It is a stupid moan, but it is a moan nonetheless. Martine, though great in many ways, is not my ideal going out person.

So there we are. I'm gonna go sort out some things now. Yessss.

Martine, Moi and Rose
Martine and moi
Mikey, Chris, Tiana
Rose and Allan
Felix and Hiro

It is Wednesday and the week is going fast

Hey hey but the weeks are tripping along quickly!

Last night we held a luau at the whare.

This took some organisation on my part! I had to make a shopping list, depress the Dollar Store of all their Hawaiian stock, and attempt to look like attractive luau hostess - all in 2 hours. It was a mission. But well worth it.

Let me start with the plays. The Shakespeare is in an interesting place. The rehearsals are not as I would run them. That is not to say they are not enjoyable or that Stuart isn't doing a good job. It's just, it's a looser unit than what I am used to and comparable with the devised piece, which is very structured, it's hard to know what energy to bring. Sometimes I'll be leading voice warmups, other times having a rigorous Beatrice time. But me being me, and the me I WANT to be, I wish to be prepared and detailed in the work I'm doing.

Civilisation is coming together nicely - we have been set provocations to write and I do really well with that. I mentioned in a previous post that my strength is in the ridiculous. And yes. That is showing through. I wrote a song using Simon and my words for the opening in the Style of Beauty and the Beast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVovQfq7U0w) We were trying to convey a sense of the absurd racism and logic around the settlers. It is certainly absurd.

I attach a bit of it below as it's fecking massive

Building up from whispering to call/response styles

SYLVIE

Russell

HUIA
Russell

BRITTA

Where are we?

ALL WOMEN

In Russell!

MEN
Russell?

WOMEN
Yes! Russell

HUIA/BRITTA

Come all you young townsfolk, listen to me

I'll sing you a song of the town that would be,

and it's...

ALL

RUSSELL RUSSELL, Where in the world is Russell?

(Talk singing – each character builds a different rhythm)

GOV
Welcome to the town of Russell

It is 1860 and we’re full of cuffuffle

We came down here around 5o years ago

The hub of New Zealand or we thought it so

FANNY

Esquires, ladies, sailors and whores

This town full of potential, a relative score

However we are laden with lots of Maori

The indigenous tribe, they are rather rowdy

So our aim is to get them off our land

GOV/DOC/

Which we bought with muskets for their small bit of sand

They think they’re clever by burning our flag

But we only think it’s a bit of a drag

For we bought a supply of the Queen’s callingcard

And now we’ve hired someone burly to stand guard

BUILDING VOICES (Two men, building to whole cast)

Russell New Zealand, Russell I say

A town split by difference, let’s make it gay

Half want Maori off their land right now

Others can see it’s not their right to plow

ALL: Russell, Russell, why do we stay in Russell? Russell?

Our town’s name is Russell.

Watch out for the hustle and bustle.

Let’s meet the townfolk of Russell

So, yes. It continues.

Whitewater lifestyle

After double and triple bagging clothes and things we thought we might need rafting, Martine and I climbed into the car with Simon and Adamis and set off towards the Colorado River. Nerves a-plenty, but excitement reigning true. (Americanisms will seep in here)

At the parking point, we met our guide, a short, fiery woman called Tammy - who turned out to not only be a brilliant guide, but scared of bugs and a meaaannnn camping chef. I don't think I'd eaten so well in weeks! It was at this point we realised our bags were not coming with us, but going in a car to the campsite. I, personally, felt a tad foolish.

On the back of her ute surrounded by sleeping bags and lifejackets, clambered on me and Martine - because, of course, our delightful effeminate friends had taken the back seat. But, you know what? I so didn't mind. Hooning along at the speed limit, wedged between a water cooler and some sort of metal bar, the wind was in my hair, the eagles were flapping by and I got to REALLY see a lot that I hadn't before. I kept thinking 'We have nothing like this in New Zealand!' but of course, we do. It was just the vastness, emptiness, the untouched terrain that was so compelling.

At the dropin site, we had a lunch on the back of the - now empty - ute, smothered ourselves in sunscreen while Stuart tried to freak us out about the 'fresh water crocodiles' Yeah right Stu!

Tammy's briefing was hilarious, because though she was very serious, she kept getting attacked by Stone flies (which, by the bye, are huge and look prehistoric) so she did repeat herself a couple of times. Which, for me, was a good thing.

Imagine a raft and then in lines, you sit at the top, the middle and the back. Slipping your inside foot under the fold of the raft - for safety. The people at the top set the rhythm (day one was Stuart and Gretchen who are great company but hopeless leaders. Sometimes Gretchen would stop paddling, and look around and smile at us. Which would've been nice, had we not been in a rapid...) and the others follow. Tammy calls out directions 'All forward! All back! All forward hard!' and then 'Left back!' which means the left side paddle backwards while the right go forward (this, obviously turns the boat and keeps it on a trajectory)

She warned us that if we went up on a rock and she called 'High Side!' we had to all hoon it over to the rock because otherwise the boat would flip.

If you fell out close to the boat, swim for the boat - you can hold your oar out. If you fell out in a rapid, go down the rapid feet first, pulling yourself up out of the water, so your feet hit rocks first as to not hit your head and to bounce your way off them so you can either swim to shore or swim to the boat.

I am pleased to say that on one fell out, but there were some terrifically scary and exhilarating instances - one of which, when we were in the most dangerous rapid and Gretchen stopped paddling. I was not proud and yet supremely proud of myself in that moment, because I hit her on the bum with my oar to get her to paddle. Bahah. It worked though. We nearly were highsiding in the biggest rapid that day Needle point (I think that's what it was called...?) and I was not having myself being trapped under a rubber boat. No thank you.

After a couple of hours, we arrived at our destination, a campsite, where Tammy made some Hors O'douvres and I set up my tent - I kinda stuffed it up - but got there in the end. Probably was funniest when I got trapped inside it, not sure of where the zips were.

We gathered firewood, I did some food prep, and we read books in the sun.

Dinner was a feast! Proper Italian style pasta with Zucchini and tomato and garlic and parmesan. Woodfired bread. A yum salad. I could hear people tooting all night after havin 2nd and 3rd helpings.

Around the fire, Stuart read a beautiful poem by Edward Hardy (tbc name) we sung songs from home and Peter - our other helper - busted out his guitar and we waiata'd into the night. Loudly, confidently, sometimes rudely (there are some brilliant vulgar songs I now know) and all while Tammy made fudge brownie in a metal pot with coals on the top of it. Decadence.

Finally, exhausted and full, everyone hit the hay. But as it was FREEZING I crept into Adam's two person tent in the middle of the night, craving some warmth. Unfortunately, I fell over inside it, woke him up and both of us did not sleep the whole night. On the upside we got the giggles on as the sun came up and woke everyone. This, believe me, was a good thing. Because we had an epic day ahead.

As we all rose, Tammy had already whipped up cheesy scrambled eggs, soft baked bagels, bacon (not for me) and delicious hashbrowns (like fried potato mash with jalapenos, onion, garlic) wholllymoley was it divine. We all, again, ate far too much. So much so, it was a challenge getting on the boat a couple of hours later.

Day two was much harder work, and scarier. But also better. At the very top, we hit the Yarmony rapid, where I found out after, people kept flipping their boats and people have been known to go missing for days. Oh good. But with new leaders at the helm and a very skilled and confident Tammy, we worked our arses off and got through it.

It's great, whitewater rafting, because you'll go through an epic rapid - adrenalin going crazy and then for the next 15 minutes you'll either be in a current or flat water and it is so calm and idyllic, you chill for a bit. It's a great workout.

We had one stop at a little community led by a man with 1 and a half feet, and where we picked up handsome Peter, and had a few snacks before we were on our way again.

I was grateful that Peter was one my side for two reasons on the rest of the journey. 1) he is a strong paddler and evened up the boats power, and 2) because he was sitting in front of me, and very nice to gaze at during the less hectic times. He is 20 years old. So yes I was having a perve at his young, strong physique. It wasn't just me though! 2 gay boys and Martine. Nuff said.

After 4 hours, we came to a stop and dragged the epically heavy boat back to the car, deflated it, had lunch and packed down.

White water rafting - what I can only describe as something that makes me appreciate mother nature. Thank you rapids for holding us and not letting us get sucked into you. We had such a good time.

And you know what? I'd probably do it again.

This week. This first week. Part one

Lost am I in uncovering a sense of routine. Thank goodness I stocked up on groceries, because I have saved money that way. In fact, I am making delicious vegetarian wraps and am fancying myself a bit of a chef. But, I am on a health buzz, trying to balance food, exercise and fun. And also train myself to be a better actor. Harder than one would think especially in this week, having been the 'getting to know week.'

The area

The People

Myself in this place

The plays

But that's OK - that's what this is for. To chronicle the journey, so to speak.

Monday was catching up on what it is we are doing. The two challenges in one exciting project: Piknik theatre festival. A free community event where a season of plays gets presented to the Colorado community, all players and audience do not pay nor get paid. It is a communal sharing of art and culture.

The Shakespeare this year is MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and I am playing Beatrice, one of the great roles. She's stroppy, intelligent, witty, brazen and very very brave.

And I'm nervous as heck, because of my own relationship to the play and the role. I have been remembering studying it at 6th form at St Mary's College - my wonderful English teacher Miss Bright; impassioned finding different ways for us to connect with the text. And of course I ended up falling in love with the themes, the romance, the anti-romance, the fool, and how it seemed so clear to an arrogant 15 year old then and somehow more complicated now! Why? Because I am an actress darling, and methinks my ego doth run rampant when contemplating the playing of Beatrice. There is also the added challenge of working with a largely amateur or fresh bunch of actors, engaging them while engaging myself. The responsibility is a good one, because I can most definitely learn from them and I hope I will do justice to them in leading them as well. It has been a wonderful experience so far, bringing my voice and movement training into warmups and rehearsals -leading the group. There is one guy who is very keen to do some one on one sessions as he is pursuing a voice over career. I really really like connecting with this work again. It has reminded me my voice is one of my stronger acting instruments, and I need to constantly keep in 'training'

The 2nd play is tentatively titled CIVILISATION, directed by Adam Donald, and last year, I found real pleasure in playing wonderful archetypal characters with great specificity. I knew I was a highlight because I was really invested in the play and in myself. My confidence was letting me experience new heights in performing. I have arrived this year in a different place emotionally, spiritually, yardyyarder, and we are not making the same play - though it is in the same vein. So I really want to work at specificity again. PHYSICAL Specificity, engaged movement. It is my weakness and it is something that I must, must, must invest in.

I recall performing in Giggles Live earlier in the year, as the deranged Naughty Fairy. It wasn't until I felt comfortable with the group that I started making offers, and once I'd nailed it, I got slightly slack in my warmup. I remember Aaron - the director - saying to me 'You need to make sure you do a great physical/vocal warmup Kate, because sometimes your body falls asleep'

As much as I was like 'Farrrk! I'm crap!' it makes total sense. I don't have a natural athletes body, I am a voluptuous lady who has not always been the same size. In the last ten years, my poor bod has changed dramatically. It is my responsibility to check in with it constantly and be aware of every muscle, every movement, myself in a space - in order for my instincts to be finely tuned and, in turn, make me a better actor.

Was it Christian Penny or Tom McCrory (probs both) who said at drama school 'The Actor is an Athlete' ie, we have to train in body, voice and as athletes of the heart and soul. It may sound naff, but I do get furious with myself when I become an idle actor. So, here is my rant explaining that - essentially - my routine is going to help not hinder my performance. And I'm going to get something fecking good going so I am ENGAGED back home. No more idleness for McGilly. Thank you. No sir.

Anyway... you-hoo - Mon night was Stuart's bday and he invited us around for a welcome party - with a great vego option this time - and bday party combined. It was lovely meeting locals both new and old to me, and I got really excited about their support and commitment to Piknik theatre. Katie West (my friend from last year) wasn't there but her good friend Tiana was, and it was great to meet her and Kurtis' brother Chris. In short - no one anyone who's reading this knows - but new people and old = good times. We rendered a heartfelt 'Happy Birthday' to Stu (why is it when I organise presents for people from a bunch of people, that I always end up having paid for 75% of it? WHY?! Maybe I should pass the buck... so to speak. Enough moaning)

Tuesday was a great rehearsal for Shakes with Adam (Benedick) - he and I worked on the play within the relationship, and the competition. It was quite telling actually, because, we both (I'm sure he'll disagree) are the kind of actors who want to win, but sometimes give up to easily. For example, we were playing a game with a rubber noodle, were we - essentially - had to smash each other up in order to win. And Stuart was great, 'don't back down!' said he. Which comes into this whole theme of idleness. There are so many actors in the world, and the idle ones do not have the best careers. The interested, risky, hardworking ones do.

Wednesday was kind of ridiculous, because we went down to Sunpies after our Shakespeare rehearsal - I blame Steve - the new guy in the cast. A good looking, part Venezuelan actor. Sunpies is a place that you have to be careful at, because it is a superbly fun atmosphere, with lots of cowgals and guys, music, a lawn and.... slurricanes. They are called slurricanes because, generally, after one, you end up slurring. In keeping with my less booze pledge, I only went for one. But we had a very late night, and I still didn't feel topshopdelight in the moro.

Adam and I were very glad (and he'd had more than I) that we had no Shakespeare rehearsal the next day, but we did have a Civilisation one. Which was not good, because 90% of the cast were feeling wretched and we had to change venues half way through. We are also in a fragile stage of development and devising a show with three worlds inside it (ala A Midsummer Night's Dream) set in NZ for an American audience is challenging. To say the least.

It was a good lesson in matching responsibilities with fun. And I know, that occasionally nights like that happen, but there is more of a risk of it here - because the desire to be social in a land we don't know is great. I'm pretty much writing this for my own benefit, so I don't do it all the time...

So Friday! We made very very good headway on Civilisation, as the cast had a stab at writing the opening scenes and some beautifully, lyrical, amusing and politically charged stuff came through. Everyone contributes something different. I, am getting wise on my writing style. I generally 'win' with the lead up to the absurd.

Here's a little section of something I wrote for a Londoner called Britta. Out of context, it might read strange, but agh well. It is NOT politically charged...

Think Martine McCutcheon in LOVE ACTUALLY.

She is a seamstress, gifting at combining the fashions from Britain with the native weave - it hasn't caught on yet, but Britta is a goodly soul, who tries to understand all about her surroundings. She has a small child with her, Pippin, whom she has raised, who everyone believes she has had out of wedlock, when she really adopted him from a roaming heathen circus. It is undecided whether Pippin is an imaginary child or not yet. Meant to be FARCICAL.

BRITTA
Entering, angry, but displaying it in a loose bodied, unco-ordinated manner "What a foppish git! Ooh! I’m sorry Pippin, but Aunty Britta has not had a pleasant afternoon. Firstly, I couldn’t sell any of my fine faux silks then I had a run in! With a man! Oooh, I’m seething. I’m seething I am! Seething! I simply can’t stand the ignorance of some people. Take note dear boy, not all the rich and wealthy are what they are cracked up to be.
And in a new land too! The cheek!
It is a simple place, and all we need to do is take encouragement from the people native to this land and find a way to work beside them, not against or for them. I learnt a new word today Pip. Kai. This apple is a kai. Isn’t that a stupendous word? Kai. It rolls off the lips and puffs out a little bit of air – can you say it darling? Kai?
I felt it was within my reasoning to let the people know what I know. These are steps to help us all, you see. So. When I simply informed the dear mayor Lord Rumpacheek of this new, sweet fact, he told me I had ‘no business’ – ‘No business!’ ‘In what?’ I exclaimed. ‘In matters of conversing with the indigenous, they are dangerous’ says he and then slaps me on the head with a fish! A fish, I ask you! And I said to him, ‘sir that is uncalled for behaviour, especially from the town’s mayor’ and he says ‘Would you like to be a fish wife?’ and then gaffaws, rather unnecessarily I thought.
What do you make of that my dear? A fish slapping right in the middle of the main street. I ‘ave never been so publicly insulted in my life.
Now, my sweet angel, I have a present for you. This here is play! It was written by the lovely Mr Terrence Philanderer. He is a good and kindly man, and he wants me to do costumes for his show! Imagine?! me!? A bonafide costumier! I’m feeling tingly just thinking of it. And he needs a small boy! To be in the play! Pip! You are going to be an actor!
What’s it about? Well, truth confessed, I ‘aven’t read it but I do believe it is a comedy of errors about what not to do in this fine land. Mr T is a goodly man, he will make sure it is entertaining and yet accurate."

So. Yes.

That rehearsal was great, in groups of two - we came up with a Schema - a list of scenes to write from. And boy was that interesting. They went from very dark, to the ridick (me) and to actually quite moving.

Last night, I went downtown and splurged on a $30 moisturiser. Hear me out though - Estee Lauder. Large size. With fecken nice free gift! I was well pleased. So, I'll go without coffee next week. For the best anyway!!

I met up with Steve, Adam, Felix and Si and we retrieved Martine and went to Strawberry Park hotpools.

My oh my, I forgot how idyllic, peaceful, truly stunning that place was. You are in natural hotpools, looking up into the vast night sky with the opposite stars and framed by alpines. I just stared and stared and stared for hours. When I got home, I clambered into my double King bed and slept so sound.

And that's where I'm going to leave you for now. I'm off on a whitewater rafting trip. I am terrified. But also excited to be living life to the full and having the experiences I am having.

Until Sunday! xxx