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.