Sunday 30 January 2011

Into the Woods.....learning lines....or not!!

This post is going to veer off the topic of beads so bear with me (or just don't read it!) if you are not interested in singing! I am currently taking part in a production of Into the Woods, a musical theatre piece by Stephen Sondheim, one of the best known composers of musicals of the 20th and 21st centuries. It's a great show - not one that I knew before we started rehearsing for it at the end of last year but it's well worth checking out if you are a fan of musicals (Erin, do you know it??!). The story revolves around several well-known fairy tales - Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood - and weaves them together. Up to the interval that is....the second half asks, what would happen next...???! it's funny and poignant and clever and unexpected....a great show. I'm playing Jack (and the Beanstalk)'s mother which is a great part for me - I have quite a bit to do but I'm not a 'main' main part so not too much pressure...you would think....

Now, I haven't had to learn spoken lines for years...literally...ten now I think, when I was in Anything Goes in my last year of secondary school. And God knows how I did it then, because I JUST CAN'T MAKE THEM STICK IN MY HEAD. We open in two and a half weeks now, and I really barely know any of my lines. Not that I haven't practiced them; I have, I just promptly forget them. When it comes to speaking them in a rehearsal or even the day after I've gone through them again, and again....and again...my mind just goes blank. I panic. It's bloody awful, quite frankly! And I'm starting to get quite stressed about the whole thing!

So my appeal is to you guys out there - some of you must have had to memorise stuff in the past. I'm used to learning words set to melody off by heart and whilst it's not something I find particularly easy but I can manage it. How do you remember things? Do you have any tricks for remembering stuff for presentations at work, say, if you've not ever had to learn lines? Any tips?? I could really do with some! I'm sure I will get there in the end but I would like it if I could put my script down BEFORE the opening night!



I searched and searched on line for a wee pic of something related to Into the Woods that I could share here but alas, none that look like they wouldn't be a copyright infringement. So here's a picture of a bracelet I made yesterday instead! Another of my silk cord numbers, you can spot it on my Bead Table Friday post from a couple of days back. Loving the Sarah Downton lampwork beads - they are magical!

9 comments:

Green Shoot Jewellery Designs said...

Hi, when I'm trying to remember presentations for work I record myself saying the words and then listen to it over and over until it goes in! Apparently, listening to your words playing whilst you are asleep is another good memory trick. Hope this helps!

Deb

LUCY said...

Original y delicado.....

TesoriTrovati said...

Oh darling! I do know that show (and yes, I do love musicals!). It is so much fun. But heavy on the music and a lot of lines I believe! The biggest role I ever had was as the lead in Hello, Dolly. I went from the show the year before (Annie Get Your Gun) and one line to having to know all the lines! There was one time on stage with the male lead that I was supposed to be eating and talking at the same time and I got in this circular pattern and couldn't remember the next line! My co-star was so sweet... he kept munching along and throwing me bits to help me remember and while it was uncomfortable for the two of us it was likely pretty quick to get back on track! I seem to remember that I made recordings of myself reciting the lines of dialogue with someone and then playing it in my car, at home, etc. I do hope that you can find a way to make it work! But that is the beauty of live theater! Bravo to you, Rebecca for taking on this challenge! I am sure that you will rise to it!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

My Life Under the Bus said...

Oh lord you are going to laugh at me but to help my son remember we sing songed back and forth. First he would read the lines. Then we would try singing them to music. Then I'll read the lines before his skipping around the script and he would do his line from memory. He remembered his lines whether that would work for you. Sometimes it's the stress of the performance that makes you remember your lines. Good Luck!!!

Cindy said...

Wow I sure wish I had some advice for you (but you have some great advice here!)...I am the same way. Lines would totally escape me. And now I escape public speaking at all costs! :-)
Your bracelet is so vibrant and beautiful - I love the colors and the dangles!

B and B said...

i've been in many plays and the only way i memorize is to write the lines down. i have notebooks full of plays done in this manner. just go through each scene, writing directly from the script, then do the whole scene again, trying to remember. speak the words as you write them. do it over and over again. when you've done this three or four times move on to the next scene.

i hope this helps!
beth

Lisa said...

Gorgeous bracelet. It just screams summer to me worn with a nice tan. I feel warm just thinking about it.

Pretty Things said...

That's lovely!

My Life Under the Bus said...

How are you doing blog friend?

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