Review - Note Form

The struggle over memory

• Memory gives a sense of identify and prevents the attainment of happiness.

• The characters struggle to remember and forget parts of their past. The orchard represents both their pasts and happiness

• Conflict, confusion, self doubt, allusion

Modernity vs the old Russia

(a recurrent theme throughout Russian literature of the nineteenth century is the clash between the values of the old Russia)

• The selling of the orchard could also be a metaphor for the hacking and destroying of the old Russia. For many russians the thought of a new modern, westernised Russia was frightening and offensive because to them the old Russia was so deep within there roots, therefor you could say that the orchard represents the old Russia (happiness, togetherness, pure, unselfish) and the cutting down of the orchard was the transition that Russia made.

• Modernity is meant to signify western modernity , its rationalism, secularism and materialism. Russia, had been adopting these values since the early eighteenth century.

• Western values are often represented as false, pretentious and spiritually and morally wrong so for those of old Russia, accepting the changes must have been extremely infuriating.

• Internal and external conflicts, past and present.

Rehearsal 2 - Performance Feedback

In todays lesson we watched each tutor group's devised piece based around a theme from the Cherry Orchard.

The first performcne was from Simon's tutor and there theme was freedom. In this piece each character talked about what made them feel free and how the system they were living in made them feel trapped and confined. For example one character described how spending time with friends made them feel free, others talked about a variety of things from sports and painting. I liked how this made me question what it is that makes me feel free and how i would feel if that was taken away from me.

Near the beginning of the piece each character began to close in on themselves, rubbing theres necks, holding there stomachs in pain. This was a powerful moment, as each character physicalised the pain and trauma in their minds, here i began to identify with the characters and felt a sense compassion. This allowed me to start connecting with the play for the first time.

I particularly liked the use of audience participation at the end of the piece. The actors asked us what made us happy and feel free, I liked this because it made everyone question themselves and think about the people of old Russia who may of had to give up what they loved because of the new Russia that was advancing. 

The second devised piece we watched was from Sarah's tutor, this piece was based around the theme of memories. One particular moment i found most interesting was when the actors used there bodies to create the cherry trees. Weaved in a round the trees were characters expressing moments of happiness such as: two children playing together and a man resting. From this i gathered that the orchard was a symbol of happiness for the characters in the play but also a symbol of memories. 

The cherry orchard was seeping in rich memories of the characters childhood and so when the trees began to unravel and started taunting the man and the children i understood that the characters were afraid of their pasts and were afraid to let go. Page 352 Ranyevskaya says "oh my dear orchard, my sweet and lovely orchard! My life, my youth, my happiness - farewell! farewell!" this proves that Ranyevskaya and other characters see the orchard as precious and are sad to let it go which could also indicate that they cant let go of the past or are afraid to.

Although i was already aware about the characters fear of the past, seeing it acted out physically in front of me really helped me to connect on an emotional level and realise the significance of the cherry orchard.

Rehearsal 1 - Notes write up

Throughout todays session we explored what it takes to be a good actor, learning that acting doesn't come from your mind it comes from your surroundings and your interactions with others on stage. I learnt that being in the natural moment and ignoring the insecurities and judgments on others leads you to feel the emotions naturally, rather than forcing what your supposed to feel.

This was prominent during an eye contact exercise where we had to walk around the room and catch eyes with people as we go. Each person who you shared a moment with was different, one person may be extremely awkward and another might start laughing but it was great to just go with the flow and accept those moments for what they were. I learnt that this was truthful acting because we wernt forcing laughter or awkwardness it came naturally in the moment which wasn't coming from the mind but from our surroundings. This is what Stanislavsky's theory is all about and it was interesting to put it into practice."When we are on stage, we are in the here and now." 

We also looked at finding the perfect neutral in order to be blank canvas. Chin up, chest out and shoulders back were the three key things that we had to do with our bodies. 

Today we also discussed the main themes of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, we did this by getting into small groups, discussing that we thought the main themes are and sharing as a group.

We decided the main themes are:

Cultural Futility 
When you are awarded with so much and don't respect the wealth or opportunities given to you.

Russian modernity vs Old Russia
The clash between two worlds , the ever growing new Russia and the traditional old Russia.

Progress and Social change 
New world order, people becoming equal to one another. Industrial progress

Liberation, Independence and Freedom
The destruction of the feudal system, equal rights.