Creation of tension Split into pairs and label yourselves A and B. Using only the following two lines, create a scene that lasts two minutes. Lines cannot be repeated or added to. A
‘Why do you never go out, you?’
B
‘Why do you never stay in?’
Perform these for the group asking them to focus on the creation of tension, atmosphere, eye contact or lack of eye contact, body language, spatial awareness etc. Where do the pauses come? Why are they important? What secrets/character traits are revealed in these spaces? How easy is it to identify the relationship between the two? How many different interpretations did the group come up with? Repeat the same exercise, bearing in mind what you have learnt, with the following lines: (change mother to father if needs be) A
‘You’re nothing to me’
B
‘I’m mother’
A
‘You’re my mother, so what?’
Intention Choose two people who are confident to experiment in front of an audience. A must be female and B must be male. They should learn the following lines. A
‘You think you’re scary but you’re just a big lump of it’
B
‘Let’s dance’
A
‘You can’t dance with your brother’
B
‘I know. Everything’s not allowed in life’
Ask them to deliver it once it as neutral as possible. After this each of the pair is briefed secretly as to their intention within the scene or an emotion that should be played. The pair is brought together and the lines delivered. The beauty with this exercise is the spontaneity that it brings to the lines, as neither of the pair knows what the other is playing. You can experiment with:
Road resource pack
Pilot Theatre Company
www.pilot-theatre.com 60