Theatre for Children (12) (Scene work)

24/11/15

To begin this lesson we ran "The Race" scene (no pun intended!) again to ensure it ran smoothly with narration and music. We then started devising "The Great Feast" scene. We had already decided that we wanted this scene to include physical theatre - the Frantic Assembly techniques of Round-by-through. Furthermore, we knew that we wanted to end on a song as our young audience would enjoy this (we hope!). As my foot was very painful (from pushing it too far for my Triple PA performance of our devised "London Riots" piece) I sat down and continued painting the props.

I have made the third and final chicken placard. All I have to do to finish these is cut the chicken out individually. I managed to draw the outline of a cider jar on a large piece of cardboard. Afterwards, I painted a large strip "around" the jar in white. As the paint I used takes a long time to dry, I couldn't do any more painting this lesson. What I shall do next though is paint the rest of the jar brown, and add highlights of a lighter brown to give a three dimensional effect. I shall also paint on the word "Cider" in black writing across the white strip. 

As I didn't partake in the actual physical development of "The Great Feast" scene, Lewis shared with me his notes of what the scene contains:

• Rabbit, Badger, Mole (LF/OK/RA) enter with tables (little stools). RA centre, LF right, OK left.
• Mrs Fox and a Fox Cub (RD/LC) enter with trays and place them on the stools (LC goes to LF, RD goes to OK)
• OK/LF steps through RD/LC and then spins them around to face the front.
• OK gets on all fours and LF leapfrogs him, then LC and RDspin round him.
• Mr Fox and a Fox Cub (CS/JBC) enter. CS steps on the last stool in the centre and OK and LF flank the stage to get behind him and lift him from under his arms forwards. Meanwhile JBC runs to LC and RD.
• RA and LF go off to side as a pair. CS shakes OK's hand.

Whilst we performed this physical theatre we were planning on having music played underneath, however we haven't decided what music we shall use for this, but we have decided on the song we want to finish our piece with. Originally we were thinking of "Food Glorious Food" from the musical "Oliver!" as it was very fitting with the scene. However, we decided to go for a song that was more upbeat and probably more well-known (and therefore enjoyable) for the children. We thought it would be sweet to have every actor singing a different part each, and also it would be more pleasing to watch if we put some dance steps in the piece too. The dance moves will be arranged next lesson.

• Verse 1 = CS & OK (Mr Fox brightens Badger's mood) (Duet with chair)
• Verse 2 = LC & JBC (Fox cub's show their sibling bond) (Disco dance duet)
• Verse 3 = LF & RA (Friendship) 
• Verse 3.5 = CS & RD (Show their love by singing to each other)
• Verse 4 = Everyone