Great Expectations: Lesson 2

This week we were getting cast, and before they told us which character we were playing, we did some warm up exercises and then had to walk around the room in neutral. As we were walking we would have to change into the different characters that we had watched and read. First was Estella, head first, moving forward with her chest, making her look more superior. I also emphasized this by using facial expressions and looking people up and down to show her authority. Next we had to walk around as Mr Joe, leading with his hips a little bit, and bending his back to show his age and posture. Also by being more unhygienic, around the room acting as Miss Havisham (Light and floating slightly) and Mrs. Joe (Leading with her chest to try and show an authority and aggression). We were then split into two groups, act one (Miss Niven) and act two (Miss Goodall). After we were given our parts, and I was cast as Estella. We ran through some lines with small groups and talked about ideas for the play and how we would play our characters. We then all got up and with Miss Niven; we all devised the beginning to the play. We all come in from different corners of the rooms in small groups and find a space in the room. Whist we listen to the Chorus (Pips thoughts and memories) we stand neutral, until they all say 'Pip.' and repeat it three times. When they say this, we all have to join in, in sync and say the word 'Pip' in the way that our character would say his name. For example, I am saying it in a more commanding and authoritative manner, as if I am calling him. This gives the audience an introduction to all of the characters in the very first scene, which I think is a good idea and will make the piece a lot clearer. After one of the Chorus' say '...graveyard.’ All of the characters that aren’t Pip, Magwitch or Chorus, find a different space in the room and physically turn into a gravestone, all kneeling on the floor at the same time. We then all see the scene in which Magwitch is asking Pip to steal a file for him, still kneeling on the floor. I think that the beginning has been devised really well and gives a really good impression of the play in just the first scene.