New Character Profile

New Character Profile

Why are you creating a new character profile?

I've already got a character profile for Irene and Bardolph however sadly Bardolph is executed are stealing from a french church so i am now just another English Solider however i decided i would create another character.

Character Profile

Full Name: Thomas Rupert Davis

Close Friends call him:Thomas 

Acquaintances call him:Sir Davis 

Soldiers call him: Lieutenant Davis

Spouse(s): Victoria Davis 

Children: Edward  Davis.Harry Davis and Anne Davis

Occupation: Soldier

background Information
Thomas lives just outside of London with his wife Victoria and three children;Edward,Harry and Anne.Before Thomas was a soldier he was a carpenter working in London.

Evaluation

Evaluation

rehearsals

Before even starting rehearsals i knew lines would be a big problem for me as the the words and word structure aren't ones which i would use in my 'bubble of vocab'so i made sure my main focus for that term would be learning lines.When reading the actors diary for Henry V at Noel coward theatre ,the director Michael said 'Let's make rehearsals about playing,not learning lines'and that's true as during rehearsals i did experience that when people including me didn't know their lines or were reading off the script it's hard to play around with the scene and bring it to life.The technique of use the first letter of each word to learn lines was very useful for me as it scaled down the amount i had to learn.As i didn't have that many lines i was able to learn them quite quickly however i didn't have the confidence to go onstage without my script as i felt comforted by it.This was something over that over the time of the rehearsal period i struggled with.I think i was like that because i'm a slight perfectionist and i hate making mistakes when it involves lines and it gets me frustrated.naturally over time i was able to sure myself that mistakes are a part of life and it's the way you deal with them that counts.

The Second part of my process was 'to keep in touch with the arc of the play' which Michael said.I now knew my lines but i didn't understand the context of my scene and what was going on in other scenes which connected my character. Understanding the context of my scene would allow me to play with it vocally through tone.pitch and pace.I needed to spend more time on why my character is saying this and what is my character saying.I needed to be able to portray what is said though my voice and physicality. i spent numerous hours on sites like 'No fear Shakespeare' which helped me understand the overall concept of what my character was saying and how other characters replied.I also spent time reading what other characters said about me and what has happened in previous scenes and scenes to come.Then i needed to be able to portray this is my voice and physicality.Understanding my scene, i was able to energise it-making it more interesting and appealing to watch.An example would be when i say 'How now mine host pistol'I learnt that Bardolph (my character)was taking the mick out of pistol calling him a host. Using this knowledge i then decided to add sarcasm and emphasise on the word 'Host'.


How was the play?

I startled myself because when i performed i was able to emotionally connect with my character and fully invest into the character like I've never been able to do in rehearsals.i felt that i gave it and the audience my all..

As i got so into character i was able to act naturally as my cracter would in the given situations.For example the scene when sophie puts her hand on my leg.The way i reacted to it was very different from how i reacted when i was in rehearsals,this time i incorporated the gun.I think this happened because i felt the atmosphere and setting of the play and instinctively  i chose to use the gun and i also think having an audience watching made me want to give more as i felt motivated. Overall the cast performed an amazing piece of work,giving an originally performance and take of Henry V.

If i could do the performance again in the theatre,i would make sure to spend more time on my burgundy lines giving them more character and vocal flavour however on the night i do believe i did the best i could do.Secondly i would make sure to look over my ques as i think in the performance i may have cut someones lines but i'm not too sure.

Who has stood out and inspired me

The people who stood out and inspired me during rehearsals and the show were Naomi and Jasmine.Firstly Naomi inspired me through the amount of dedication she put into learning my lines.You could tell each time she preformed that she had worked on learning her lines and looking at the context and the meaning of her lines.On top on this she made bold choices throughout the rehearsal and used the space around her wisely and confidently.Jasmine's vocal quality is AMAZING and each time she spoke,she really articulated each and every word.She used so much vocal colour that when she said her lines it brought a strong sense of depth and power.

 Research Henry V. What is the play about? When was it first performed? Find a contemporary production of the play you can get an idea of and research it in terms of concept, style, design, casting. Give some attention to your own character and their role in the play.

Exploring Henry V

What is Henry V about?

The setting and background to the play

'The play is set in England in the early fifteenth century. The political situation in England is tense: King Henry IV has died, and his son, the young King Henry V, has just assumed the throne. Several bitter civil wars have left the people of England restless and dissatisfied. Furthermore, in order to gain the respect of the English people and the court, Henry must live down his wild adolescent past, when he used to consort with thieves and drunkards at the Boar’s Head Tavern on the seedy side of London.'-http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/henryv/summary.html

Why does Henry V goes to war?

Henry V claims that he owns certain parts of France due to his distant roots in the French royal family.the young Prince of France replies to these accusations by sending Henry V Tennis balls.Henry is insulted and decides that he shall invade France.He gathers his troops for war.

The Conspiracy

Henry learns of a conspiracy against his life by three traitors (One of which  is his friend Scrope) working for the French.He surprises them and catches them out by handing them later about their bad deeds.They beg for mercy however they are rejected and executed. 

Finally setting sail and rising up

English set sail where they fight their way across France.They begin a winning streak after being able to conquer the town of Harfleur where Henry gives his famous speech to motivate his fellow soldiers to victory.

It's not looking good for Bardolph and Nym

Bardloph,Pistol and Nym though very entertaining characters are lowlife,undercover criminals.They are all old friends of Henry V.Things begin to change as in France Bardolph and Nym are caught looting a church and are hanged at King Henry's command.

Are things starting to go downhill?

The war begins to climax at the famous battle of Agincourt where the English are outnumbered by the French.The night before the Battle King Henry diguises himself as a soldier and talks to many of the other soldiers in the english camp.Henry gets to hear their opinion of the battle and he also learns about his soldiers.Later Henry prays to God for power and Miracuously the English win the battle with the French Surrendering.

ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL!

Peace Negotiations are made and the two countries,France and England are united through marriage.King Henry will marry Catherine the French Kings daughter meaning his son will be the King of France.

Notes for the first run through

Notes for the first run through with action plan

.Pace through your lines

I need to pace through my lines at a considerate speed so the play doesn't drag out making it feel long,slow and very boring.

.Add some vocal colour

Add some vocal colour to make what your saying interesting to listen to.

.Know when to enter the stage

My queue line for my scene is when one of the chorus members says 'The french advised  by good intelligence

Notes for the second run through

Notes for the second run through

With my action plan

.At the end of the opening take time to come off stage

This can be achieved by holding the freeze frame for slightly longer and also collecting a gun for my scene.

.Add Vocal Colour

To achieve this i need to make sure i understand what i am saying which i do and experiment in ways to make it appealing and understandable to the audience as Shakespeare for some(including me)can be difficult to understand.

.Try to also Move when not talking

I've been trying to this when my character is responding to what Nym,Pistol or the Hostess is saying.

.Remember the audience of three sides

I plan to open up my performance more to thee sides so they can all experience the action on stage.I can do this by not always constantly facing the character i am talking.

.React when the the hostess places her hand on my leg

Originally when this happened i tried to keep composure in my body and just showed facial expression representing shock.I was suggested to react by shaking my leg too and this will add to the comedic side of the situation.

.Come on stage behind the king

I need to make sure on page 43 that i come on behind the king.

.Style out your lines

If i am to mess up or forget my line(s) i can style it out by taking a pause or continuing with lines similar to the ones which are meant to be said.

Record of a classical role lesson one

The first read through

Learning Objective

To have a practical read through,involving gathering an understanding  of what the play is about and the relationships our character has in the play.

Was the read through useful?

Personally i feel that the read through was very beneficial as i got to go through the story line and hear other peoples ideas of what's going on in the play.When reading the play by myself i didn't understand it and when i looked online for the overall plot there were just pages of work which left me at an disinterest. Doing the read through i gathered a concept of what the play is about and what character is who and i got to understand if what my character was saying is meant to comical or serious.

What were the benefits?

The benefits were firstly making us stand and read as i was able to keep focus not drift into a daydream which sadly is what happens when i do a read through.

Secondly I was able to gather an understanding of my character ,bardolphs involvement in the play and the relationships he has with the other characters.

Thirdly reading through the play i learnt what the Shakespearean words meant as i find it hard to understand and get a concept of the language.

The fuorth benefit was while reading through everything was broken down so i could understand each scene and why certain words were said.

My struggle during the read through.

I struggled with pronouncing,articulating and stuttering over my words.I know i can do it but i need to concentrate and read carefully and slowly. I'm sure when i learn my lines i will improve vastly.

What i gathered from the lesson?

Firstly i gathered what each scene was about.

Secondly i understand what sort of person my character is and who he has a relationship with in the play and who i'm talking to when saying my lines.

Goals

.start learning my lines as i know how long it takes me to learn them.

.Research words i don't understand the meaning of.

Character research

I think whilst also study your character in class,it's also very important to do your own research for your own understanding.Below is research for my character from not only King Henry V but King Henry IV part one and part 2 as it's important to timeline where your character began so you know why your character may act a certain way. For example something may of happened to my character in King Henry part 1 and that might be a reason my character acts a certain way(differently) in King Henry V.
Below is research i found about my chracter

.Bardolph in 4 plays by William Shakespere
.Throughout Henry IV, part1 and Henry IV, Part 2, Bardolph is a drunkard pal of Henry who encourages him to commit petty crimes, resulting in the doubt and disapproval Henry's father shows toward Henry as heir to the throne.
.Bardolph's facial features, permanently flushed from alcohol and covered in pustules are a constant target of ribald remarks, often symbolically linked to imagery of heat and hellfire. In Henry IV, Part I, Falstaff says "I never see thy face but I think upon hell-fire and Dives that lived in purple; for there he is in his robes, burning, burning."^[2] In Part 2 Hal satirically says that Bardolph's "zeal burns in his nose", to which Falstaff replies "The fiend hath pricked down Bardolph irrecoverable; and his face is Lucifer's privy-kitchen, where he doth nothing but roast malt-worms . 


My response to my research
In Henry V my character is still insulated about his appearance;especially his nose.This is shown when the boy says he saw a flea stick upon bardolphs nose and said it was a black soul burning i hell fire.
Knowing that Bardolph and Henry were childhood friends i now have a different perspective of Bardlophs hanging which henry agreed to.By Henry agreeing to Bardlophs execution its shows he maturing and taking on more responsibility as a king.
.
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Below are the sources where my information was gathered from.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardolph_%28Shakespeare_character%29

http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/henryv/section7.rhtml

http://www.shmoop.com/henry-v/pistol-bardolph-nim.html

INTERESTING FACT OF THE DAY

'Bardolphs execution is based on a real incident where a solider,whose name is not known was hanged during the campaign in France for robbing a church.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardolph_%28Shakespeare_character%29

QUOTE OF THE DAY

'In Shakespeare's words lie all the clues to character and situation that any reader or actor needs. It's simply a matter of knowing how to find them. The clues are not necessarily in the meanings of the words - the rhythms of the language and the patterns and sounds of the words contain a great deal of valuable information.'-http://www.teachingshakespeare.ac.uk/