Not True, But Useful... A Cheek by Jowl Podcast Episode 4 - Scenes and Sandcastles
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May 15, 2020 Declan and Nick dive into the powerful concept of 'thresholds' in theatre. They reflect on creative sparks ignited during holidays and the unpredictability of artistic expression using the metaphor of sandcastles. The conversation shifts to emotional transitions in performance, especially in Macbeth's tense Act II Scene 2. They unveil how spatial dynamics influence character interactions and the psychological turmoil faced by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Plus, they discuss the fascinating intricacies involved in selecting plays for production and their modern-day relevance.
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Birth As The First Threshold
- Declan compares the first human threshold to birth: a baby moving from dark safety into a strange noisy world.
- The mother's job is to reassure the baby despite ultimate uncertainty and danger.
Seek Change, Don’t Seek Plateaus
- Encourage actors to seek thresholds and accept opportunities to move rather than avoid change.
- Resist creating plateaus; healthy actors look for change and embrace risk in scenes.
Feelings Arrive From Outside
- Characters cannot fully control the space or the feelings that arise from it; emotions often strike from outside.
- Declan likens feelings to strafing aircraft that hit us unexpectedly and force reactions.