Week Thirteen 2006
Week Thirteen
(Painting starts on the small toadstool and the Gypsy caravan on Monday)
Well what a week! Just being at uni at night
was a different experience, let alone participating in childrens theatre
rehearsals. For me personally it was quite a tiring week as I travel from
Mandurah and the late nights really took their toll on me (hence my being absent
for two of the performance days), however, the week was particularly enjoyable
for both Julie and I for a number of reasons.
The first reason I really enjoyed rehearsal week is that it was the first real
time that I had gotten to know most of my fellow peers. Previously, Julie and I
had felt a little isolated from everyone, due to the fact that our P.R duties
took us away from the unit most of the time. This was a real issue for us both
as we felt kinda like outsiders, however reheasal week changed this. It was
really choice to meet and talk to everyone, including yourself, and get to know
people a little better and hence feel a part of the overall team.
Another aspect of the rehearsal week that was particularly awesome was seeing
the actual performance develop, ie: costumes added, music and lighting finalised,
performances strengthened. Prior to this week I must say that I wasn't really
that sure as to what we would be producing, so it was great to see such an
amazing performance go from strength to strength each night ( you actors really
have done a fricken fantastic job!!!!)
Finally and perhaps most importantly for Julie and I, was the chance to create
the foyer. This has been the most creative aspect of the whole P.R process that
we have been able to partake in, and was really the first thing that we felt
matched some of the amazing things the likes of: costumes, props, lighting,
sound and actors have achieved. I think this has really boosted both Julie and
I's enthusiasm for the unit as a whole. (I must say I am pretty damn proud of
the foyer, I just love the pretty fairylights! and my arch ahhhh!)
So in reflection although the late nights and drives were very taxing, I have
some fond memories of reheasal week. The whole process has been one that at
times has left me feeling a little out of place however, week 13 and now actual
performance week have allowed me to see how everything comes together as a whole
and it really is something that we all should be extremely proud of.
Had I been asked 4 weeks ago by someone "should I do childrens theatre?" I
probably would have laughed and said "hell no" however, seeing the final product
and reflecting on all the hardwork that has gone in over only just 13 weeks, i
can see that it really is one of those once in a life time things (that is if
your not one of you freaky drama nuts who do the unit 3 times!!!!!!!!!! just
joking but really I think once is enough for me lol)
Ben Werndly
(The Tuesday workshop saw the final coats of paint go on the standards and the caravan)
(Tamar, Samantha and Suzanne finish off the wings)
Click here... Wings to view photos of the different wing designs created by the costume department
(Paul's new 'Crazy Ball' look...)
... accompanies a new approach to put-off his opponents)
(The following is an small except from Julian's journal) The ensuing battle between darkness and light and the subsequent downfall of the antagonist Caballus, conveys to young children the message that good can triumph over evil, and warns them against the dangers of hubris. However, there are also less overt forms of conflict at work within the text through which values and attitudes may be imparted. Arguably the most important of these is the unspoken conflict between the insects and fairies of the Banksia Forest and the Snottygobbles, resulting in their alienation, and reluctance to share their ‘secret’.
Samples of the dialogue from Scene 5 reveal this disharmony to be based upon cultural stereotypes and assumptions:
“Lizzie: I’ll bet those sneaky Snottygobbles are behind this. Always creeping about and turning up just when you least expect them.”
And physical difference:
“Bizzie: Yuck, and they’re so grubby… And slimy. Eeuw!” (deReuck, 2006: 14).
The connection between the attitudes of the forest creatures and racism is inescapable.
Another social issue represented by conflict in the script is bullying. In fact, it could be argued that the hierarchical order and difference in status of the various characters make bullying inevitable. The evil Caballus bullies and threatens his underlings with impunity, while Sarki, the leader of the Snottygobbles is able to victimise his new recruit, Sarama. The blustering Papa Gorgonzola orders around everyone within his sight, and even Lizzie denigrates her friend Bizzie, when in Scene 1 she remarks, “Don’t be such a loser, Bizzie…” (deReuck, 2006: 5).
By making implicit references to discriminatory and bullying behaviour, the author is able to address a function of T.I.E., namely its ability to represent socially significant issues on stage with the objective of bringing about a “…change in understanding…” (Bolton, 1993: 44). By the end of the play, the Banksia Forest characters are shown to have come to a better understanding of the Snottygobbles through friendship and cooperation, Sarama has risen in status from new recruit to hero, and a spirit of camaraderie has replaced the once pervasive bullying behaviours. These positive messages have the potential to change the attitudes and conduct of children towards minority groups within their own social environments.
Julian Hembrough
Click here... Part One, Part Two and Part Three to view photos from the first dress rehearsal
(Thursday sees an incursion in to a school with the 'Fairies')
Thursday morning’s school visit to Applecross was a great success even if a trifle chilly. We all looked fabulous in our costumes and the kids were delightful. We all had lots of fun talking and playing with the kids. Pingle (Danni) was really good talking to our group and nearly all of them thought her dress was gorgeous. Carol was a bit nervous and unsure what to say so she just sat quietly between us and stayed a shy demure fairy which didn’t seem to bother the kids at all. All in all I think it was a great exercise particularly for any education students.
Glynis Knyvett
(What a great experience for everyone, both performers and audience)
(The following is an except of Julian's incursion reflection...) The incursion turned out to be one of the highlights of the unit, and was of invaluable experience to my career as a future teacher. Although I was not in costume, I was assigned to the group of Mallee, Mouse Ears and Cobweb to help them with their ‘movement’ class. This was great fun as we had the kids recreating the movements of creatures that they might encounter in the Banksia Forest, such as Goblins, Fairies, Insects and so on. A Children’s Theatre script must be populated with characters that are well developed, and above all, credible. McCaslin (2000: 331) states that children are more likely to become involved in a performance if the “…characters are those in whom the audience can believe, whether or not they are real.” From the enjoyment on the faces of all the children at the incursion, I would say that “The Secret of the Snottygobbles” more than fulfils these expectations.
Julian Hembrough
(Thursday night sees an unusual but effective warm-up activity...)
(... and perhaps Jenny auditioning for the role of Titania?)
(The following is an small except from Melody's journal)It is easy for a theatrical team to place the responsibility of reflective pedagogical learning solely on the shoulders of the classroom teacher, but this is not ethical. It is the moral responsibility of the production team to make sure that every possible step has been taken to guarantee that the theatrical performance facilitates reflective student learning. There are probably numerous ways to express this, but an excellent example of how a theatre group has addressed this ethical issue is the EGL213 production team’s ‘Ed Pack’.
The ‘Ed Pack’ is an educational resource created by the EGL213 production group that is issued to the schools and classrooms visiting the performance. The Ed Pack contains an assortment of activities, information, and other resources that relate to the characters, themes, story and issues of the performance. It is the “…base for developing literary, scientific, social and mathematical skills...” (deReuck 2006, 4) in the classroom, and its aims are rooted in outcomes based education. In this way, the aims and themes of the production are made explicit to the school, teacher, and students, and these themes can be extended, discussed, and integrated into the classroom curricula via active engagement with the Ed Pack activities. In this way, not only does the Ed Pack ensure that critical learning occurs, it also makes explicit the themes of the performance, negating any ‘hidden agendas’ and the possibility of surreptitious manipulation.
Melody Savill
(After a long tech run, John is greeeeeen, and I think Erin is just happy that she doesn't need to wear what John is wearing)
(The long tech run has paid off, look at this production!)
Click here... Jamie ...to see pictures of my son at the final dress rehearsal)
(Last minute words for the cast before the final rehearsal)
(Members of the cricket band (Jason, Joe and Scott) proudly don their costumes)
(The following is another except from Julian's week thirteen reflections...) That night, I found myself back at Nexus for the tech run. We had been warned by Joe to expect a tedious night, with many stops and starts to the rehearsal process. He also pointed out that we should be patient with the tech crew, as they (the crew) were trying to accomplish in one night what had taken the cast thirteen weeks to achieve. Taking this into account, and the fact that this show is very tech heavy compared to earlier Children’s Theatre productions, it is a tribute to Joe and all of the tech crew that the evening ran as smoothly and efficiently as it did. The cast were finally sent home around 12.30am, with the rest of the tech completed on Friday.
(I knew that the tech crew had done a great job when I saw the circus reveal for the first time with the scrim curtain, orbiting spotlights and full circus music. Yes, I did get a little misty…).
The split second timing and coordination of lighting, sound, music and FX is difficult to achieve, yet essential in giving children the best theatre experience possible. We must always remember that there will be many children in the audience who are encountering live theatre for the first time. A positive experience now may encourage a lifelong appreciation of drama and the arts, and teach them alternative perspectives through which to view the world.
I must also mention here the remarkable job that Melissa performed in replacing Erin as Pierrot, literally at the last minute. It seemed we had only just heard that Erin was ill in hospital, when Melissa arrived in full costume, lines and blocking learned, and characterisation in place! Remarkable, and truly professional.
Julian Hembrough
(Kit warms-up before the photo shoot)
Click here... One and Two ...to view photos from the Cast and Crew shoot
(Ilona and Sandie relaxing backstage)
Click here... One and Two ...to view pictures taken at the final dress rehearsal
(Mel, Tara and Tara at the photo shoot between final rehearsals)
View other 2006 'Notice Board' entries... Week One - Week Two Week Three - Week Four
Study Break One - Week Five Week Six - Week Seven Study Break Two - Week Eight
Week Nine - Week Ten Week Eleven - Week Twelve Week Thirteen Week Fourteen
...or view other 'Snottygobble' production extras... Julian's Drawings One Julian's Drawings Two
Circus Skills Photo Gallery Mel's Acting CV Geoff Glencross Theatre History
First Draft Second Draft Final Script - Act One Final Script - Act Two
Samantha's Costume One Samantha's Costume Two Paul's Unbanned Suicide Run Costume Fitting
Dance Workshop Darren's Character Profile First Dress Rehearsal One First Dress Rehearsal Two
First Dress Rehearsal Three First Dress Rehearsal Four Jamie at the Final Dress Rehearsal
Final Dress Rehearsal One Final Dress Rehearsal Two Final Dress Rehearsal Three
Final Dress Rehearsal Four Pre-show Make-up Wrap-up
...or view other Notice Board entries... 2005 Children's Theatre Notice Board
Go to Children's Theatre: My Journal History Notice Board Your Work
Contact Andrew @ thechaseison@optusnet.com.au
This page last updated: 30th June 2006