- Smart/Bookish
- Conservative in how I dress
- Funny/Witty
- Clever
- Adventurous
- Not keen on my father (above him)
- Rich and slightly spoilt (used to the high life)
- Inside really a rebel
- If I was a drink I would be: a Starbucks grande skinny latte
This is how I wanted to play Celia so I am really happy and excited to start developing her even further and playing with these strong characteristics. The first day of rehearsals we did a read through of the play but not reading our own parts. This is a technique used by the RSC to help the actor playing that role see how other people read their lines but also so everyone gets a feel of the play. This was very helpful because I noticed when we did a read through, Seamus stumbled on Le Beau's name and I instantly remembered Stuart telling us that Shakespeare often too fun of the French because they weren't liked at the time. I began to think that maybe Celia would take the micky out of his name, so consequently I gained a key characteristic in my character's personality by Seamus stumbling on his name. We then got the first scene on it's feet and I found the energy and connection with Poppy and Khai was instant which I was extremely pleased with. We played around with the staging and decided in the first scene Celia is controlling Rosalind slightly by teasing her and helping her to be happy. The scene with Le Beau (Oisin) worked well and I tried out saying his name in a disgusted way and thankfully it worked. After today I can see my character forming nicely with Poppy's and within the play too. This is a modern day Celia who likes teasing people but also has a kind heart and a true love for her cousin.
This is the third week into rehearsals and my character has certainly developed. I started answering the nine questions about my character and thinking more about her background. As her mother isn't mentioned I decided that she died when Celia was young and consequently her and her Father haven't had the best of relationships because of this. She doesn't agree with her father's politics but doesn't feel the need to do anything about it because she doesn't see how they effect her. He hobbies include watching old horror films and going to the gym. She is interested in becoming a doctor one day and volunteering with the Red Cross to help those in poorer countries. As we have done a few rehearsals now, I feel secure in my character and feel as if I'm putting a new spin on Celia. However, I don't feel as if I have her physicality right just yet as I feel slightly awkward at some points when I don't have much to say I feel myself slipping back into Esme, so I need to focus on this and make sure I'm sticking to my objectives and staying in the scene and the moment.
We're about mid-way into rehearsals now and I defiantly feel like my character has developed. I've added more layers onto her and found her large and small objectives for each scene. I decided to change her physicality from when she is in London as Celia to when she is Aliena in The Forest of Arden. When she is at home her posture is impeccable and she is quite contained, whereas in the forest she relaxes a bit and lives in the natural air and space. I've made sure to stay strong and present in the scenes between Rosalind and Orlando and decided to be eating during the famous scene in act three scene one. I've learned how to play objectives even when you don't have lines to play with. I feel as if I've found the comedy in this character. It has defiantly helped having Jack's direction during the scene where Rosalind is trying to get out of Celia who is writing the poems. As we have a rap battle instead of wrestling, Jack wants me to rap the 'Oh, wonderful wounderful' lines as if I am imitating Orlando. At first I found this a challenge to do because I felt shy and not committed, but after I let go of Esme's insecurities and tapped into Celia's daring and energetic sense of humor, the rapping came easily and hopefully looks comedic and truthful.
ALIENA:
- Her name reflects her state, she is an outsider or Alien to her previous life and name
- It is a cover up, the part of Celia which she would like to be more like, adventurous and sloppy
- She is still Celia and often her old self creeps back in but her physicality changes, she isn't afraid of getting dirty anymore and she relaxes her posture slightly
- She loves to perform which is evident in the scene when she acts out what Orlando looks like
As we are nearing our performance and have done a few complete run through, Jack gave us some notes. Mine were to bring some more energy on in the first scene as it is the first time we meet Rosalind and Celia and we have to set the pace of our relationship and characters. I need to work on tripping up Touchstone, don't think about it too much, I'm doing it to take fun of him so it needs to look effortless. We will practice the trip by making it seem fresh each time. Overall I think I have made a bold character choice and brought Celia to life. I think my adaptation fits well into our theme of modern day politics as she is clever and daring but also slightly hypocritical. She can be very jealous which is obvious when they enter the forest. Celia is fed up with not having anything exciting happen to her so this really effects her relationship with Rosalind. She becomes a third wheel observing instead of contributing. This is excellent to play though as it is deep character work but needs to look subtle which has been very enjoyable to express and develop.
It was interesting to work on the sudden love between her and Oliver. Celia changes so much in such a short space of time and at first I found this quite challenging. Now I feel comfortable and I think Michael and I have good chemistry to watch. I made my vocal quality slightly more breathy to show her sudden attraction and used my eye contact to show I'm only looking at Oliver (Michael). She challenges Oliver to see if he still is a brutal man and I think that is what so great about this character, she has forgiveness.
It is performance week this week and I feel ready to reveal my adaptation of Celia. These past months of rehearsals have helped to develop my character and how I play her. She is constantly reacting to situations and people and I can't wait to get into the theatre and live and play off the audience but also off my fellow actors. For me costume is vital and has been a major help in the development of my character as I feel like her now. I love how her clothes stay similar and her idea of a hippy is odd glasses and a long skirt. The costume and set has helped me to bring Celia to life in the space we have to play in.
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