Quadrophenia: How does the cult film compare with the stage version?
A classic album, then a cult film in 1979, Quadrophenia has now remerged as a musical. The move from vinyl to the big screen was a roaring success: but what of the transformation form big screen to stage?
The set for the musical is well constructed but the plot is clearly limited by the limitations of stage. With a band on stage each set has to be moved around: the street, a cafe, Jimmy’s home, and Brighton Dance Hall. The action becomes frenetic and distorts the watcher’s ability to place each scene in any particular location. Although Act 2, set in Brighton, is easier to follow than the London based scenes of Act 1, one has to read the programme notes to understand the action. In relying upon songs to relay the story the plot becomes confused.
Quadrophenia the movie deals with the sets and storyline in much more depth because of its ability to move around locations. The public baths, terraced houses motorbikes alleyways, London cafes and Dancehalls all create a setting which takes the viewer to the world of the sixites Mod. Clever shots of bikers arriving in Brighton enable the film watcher to sense the distance between rebellious teenager and home based parent. The street fights and beach scenes enable the film audience to visualize the youth phenomenon in a way that the stage with its gang attack on a lone rocker, does not.
When analyzing the themes within each there is a similar mismatch in terms of the depth that the musical achieves compared to the film. A major theme in both is the generation gap: a rebellious teenager whose parents do not understand his dreams and neither does he. The coming of age searching for identity is evident in both genres. However the musical, a revisiting of the themes in the film, is unable to deal with moral attitudes around in 1960s England, in a way that the film achieves.
Jimmy within the film is seeking an alternative to his hum drum life as part of a teenage gang, Jimmy within the musical is angry and confused but it isn’t evident why he feels this way. The musical is almost an exploration of his state of mind rather than the voice of a generation on the move, which he represents within the film. His issues within the large screen seem to be caused by his humdrum surroundings but in the musical the interpretation suggests that it is different character traits that cause his inner turmoil.
In the stage show the Face is clearly a snazzy dresser who also works as a Bell Boy but within the film we see a fuller, anti hero, who appears at work, in the dance hall, on the beach and within the court. The film buff sees several aspects of his character not just his ability to strut like a peacock straightening his cuffs and collar. The film offers the explanation for Jimmy and The Face’s behavior in terms of their escape from boring day jobs in ways which the musical because of its lack of narrative cannot achieve.
Perhaps the greatest difference between the two genres is this presentation of character. In the musical the characters work extremely hard to move the audience from their comfort zone into high energy world of The Mods on a weekend away. The film can cut to night club to house party, beach scenes, and support several characterizations and sub plots. Jimmy’s relationship with his parents and work colleagues is much more obvious within the film. His position within the pecking order of Mods is apparent. In the stage show it isn’t easy to determine if he is leader or led. This is not helped by the number of characters playing Jimmy in the stage show.
The musical may have gained more critical acclaim if it had been written in between the album and the film rather than after the latter. As a result of the limitations what is a great album, come cult film becomes poorer as a piece of musical theatre. It is popular because of its association with its predecessors, rather than in its own right.Quad
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Monday, 23 November 2009
task d writing styles
Quadrophenia, the musical, is delivered through songs and a variety of scenes. There is no dialogue other than song lyrics. This means that the audience has to work hard to piece together the complexities of Jimmy’s character and the events of the Mods and Rockers conflict: knowing the plot from the 1970s movie helps. Fortunately the storyline in the musical is fairly simple. Boy from violent dysfunctional home is unhappy with his life and sets off seeking love, adventure and a different purpose to his life. Boy goes astray and dream gets broken. The result is disappointment, frustration and violence.
Quadrophenia, The Musical, tells us the story of Jimmy a young man full of the usual teenage anger. Jimmy is a rebel who feels his life should be better and he cannot settle to the nine to five routine of life. The story line is about Jimmy’s struggle to understand and be understood. His parents cannot help him and his relationship with his Dad descends into violence as Jimmy questions his parents’ loveless relationship. Jimmy is looking for companionship and this leads him to join the local Mod gang who are heading for Brighton. Jimmy throws himself into the scene and his overuse of drugs begins to change his character and outlook. The local Mod leader becomes Jimmy’s hero until he realises that he works in service as a Bell Boy. Jimmy’s fantasy of a completely different life for young people is shattered. In Brighton his life finds a violent tragic end. His trip ends in disappointment as he loses the girl and ends up involved in a violent stabbing of his fallen hero.
Jimmy character is played by four different characters that represent different parts of his character: lunatic, hypocrite, romantic and violent. This can get confusing especially during the first act and when they are all on stage together.
The set for the show is fairly basic. The musicians appear behind the action on a tiered scaffold and there is a central rotating climbing frame as well as a rotating part to the stage. The transition from one scene to the next is slick and the songs move you through each scenario as they tell the story of Jimmy’s troubles. The simplistic set means that the youthful cast have to put lots of energy into recreating the Mod scene of the early sixties. The young performers do this through dance, song and acrobatics as they recreate the energy and dangers of the era. Their costumes represent the fashions of the day. The energetic cast is well supported by the trumpets, guitars and drums at the rear, which at times makes you feel that you are at a pop concert rather than a musical production. During, in the first act, it takes time to get into the plot. The scenes appear a bit random and one bit of dramatic tension, a fight at home, is followed by another bit of dramatic action: a row at work, or the four elements of jimmy’s character wrestling for control. Initially it takes a while to realise that they are all Jimmy, despite the fact that they all wear the same clothes throughout the production. The lack of dialogue, loud music and fast pace of the action makes it hard to follow. Nevertheless it is an enjoyable experience particularly when the old Who classics are bashed out. At the show I went to the cast joined the audience in the bar for after show refreshments and were welcomed and praised by today’s youngsters and a small number of pot bellied Mods, whose parkas, Ben Shermans and mini skirts had seen better days.
Quadrophenia, The Musical, tells us the story of Jimmy a young man full of the usual teenage anger. Jimmy is a rebel who feels his life should be better and he cannot settle to the nine to five routine of life. The story line is about Jimmy’s struggle to understand and be understood. His parents cannot help him and his relationship with his Dad descends into violence as Jimmy questions his parents’ loveless relationship. Jimmy is looking for companionship and this leads him to join the local Mod gang who are heading for Brighton. Jimmy throws himself into the scene and his overuse of drugs begins to change his character and outlook. The local Mod leader becomes Jimmy’s hero until he realises that he works in service as a Bell Boy. Jimmy’s fantasy of a completely different life for young people is shattered. In Brighton his life finds a violent tragic end. His trip ends in disappointment as he loses the girl and ends up involved in a violent stabbing of his fallen hero.
Jimmy character is played by four different characters that represent different parts of his character: lunatic, hypocrite, romantic and violent. This can get confusing especially during the first act and when they are all on stage together.
The set for the show is fairly basic. The musicians appear behind the action on a tiered scaffold and there is a central rotating climbing frame as well as a rotating part to the stage. The transition from one scene to the next is slick and the songs move you through each scenario as they tell the story of Jimmy’s troubles. The simplistic set means that the youthful cast have to put lots of energy into recreating the Mod scene of the early sixties. The young performers do this through dance, song and acrobatics as they recreate the energy and dangers of the era. Their costumes represent the fashions of the day. The energetic cast is well supported by the trumpets, guitars and drums at the rear, which at times makes you feel that you are at a pop concert rather than a musical production. During, in the first act, it takes time to get into the plot. The scenes appear a bit random and one bit of dramatic tension, a fight at home, is followed by another bit of dramatic action: a row at work, or the four elements of jimmy’s character wrestling for control. Initially it takes a while to realise that they are all Jimmy, despite the fact that they all wear the same clothes throughout the production. The lack of dialogue, loud music and fast pace of the action makes it hard to follow. Nevertheless it is an enjoyable experience particularly when the old Who classics are bashed out. At the show I went to the cast joined the audience in the bar for after show refreshments and were welcomed and praised by today’s youngsters and a small number of pot bellied Mods, whose parkas, Ben Shermans and mini skirts had seen better days.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
task d writing styles
Pork pie hats, Parkas, popping ‘blues’, chasing rockers on your Vespa! Remember the Mods? They’re back with a country wide tour of Quadrophenia the Musical. The new show is based on The Who’s famous album of the same name and will take in twenty venues across Great Britain during 2009. Live on stage for the first time Quadrophenia provides a fast moving insight into the changing lives of teenagers in sixties Britain.
Portraying the start of Youth Culture and rebellion Quadrophenia is set in Brighton and London but as a tour of British towns and cities ‘Quad’ reflects the countrywide explosion of the ‘Mods and Rocker’ phenomena. The musical features disaffected Jimmy, who is looking for a good time, a girlfriend and a place in society. In Jimmy’s world you don’t quite get anything right but when it all goes wrong you keep looking for the next piece of action.
Quadrophenia the musical is about the growing pains of teenagers at the start of the boom time sixties. Its backdrop is the lyrics and music of many previously unpublished songs by Pete Townsend lead guitarist and songwriter with The Who. Townsend’s original intention was to write a quadruple album but it never made the shops. ‘Quadrophenia The Musical’ contains several of the songs cut from his initial work.
Pete Townsend, now musical Creative Consultant to the show, will see its opening night in Plymouth and watch with anticipation as audiences around the country experience his interpretation of the movie, before the show’s last night in Coventry, home of ska band The Specials.
This is a musical for the young and describes the early days of ‘You’ve never had it so good Britain’ when young people had money, transport and freedom from the shackles of parents and post war regeneration. Of course, young people today can still relate to the issues Jimmy wrestles with. Today’s teenagers may have IPods, Student Loans, Unemployment and Asbos to deal with but they will quickly recognise, the Jimmy the Romantic, Jimmy The Tough Guy, Jimmy the Lunatic and the need to be different , to be part of the gang and to fit in, to know where the action is and move heaven and hell to get there.
This is the Sixties Generation and whether Jimmy represents the four members of The Who, or just the changeable moods of a young drug user, Quadrophenia will take you back to the days of your youth: gangs, girls, excitement the sounds of the crowd. You will remember the morning after, the comedown back at work and of course the battles with Mum and Dad.
Meet Ace Face, Jimmy, the mod girls and leave Dead End Street on your way to London, Brighton, and Beachy Head. Those were the days my friend and Quadrophenia the Musical gives you the chance to relive the swinging era of Mods and Rockers. And for followers of Quentin Tarantino , when you are at the show keep an eye out for Jack Roth, son of Tim Roth of Reservoir Dogs, Made in Britain and Lie To Me notoriety.
This is a night to see what Magistrate Dr George Simpson was talking about in 1964 when he described Mods and Rockers as ‘These long haired mentally unstable petty little hoodlums, these sawdust Caesars who can only find courage like rats in hunting in packs.’
Never heard your Grandparents described like that before – get down to the show and see for yourself. You won’t get fooled again.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Task C, Kolb's Learning Cycle
Reflect on an instance when you have concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualisation and active experimentation. Describe instances and explain how it was part of the cycle. Explain what happened to get to that point in the cycle and what it led to.
Kolb’s theory describes a model for managing learning. It suggests a continuous process by which students can develop their own learning. Kolb describes learning cycle made up of four elements: Concrete (doing, feeling), Observation (watching, assimilating) Abstract conceptualisation (thinking, considering) and active experimentation (transforming, adapting). He acknowledges that a learner can join the cycle at any point. I think the really interesting parts of the process are: abstract thinking and testing in active experimentation elements. It is through these parts of the process that I have grasped an experience and transformed it, adding my own meaning and understanding. For me it is when knowledge and experience interchange in importance determined by the situation in which I am applying my learning.
In 2008 I was cast for a role in a Theatre in Education production ‘Last Order’s’. The production was about the dangers of alcohol abuse and its impact upon individual responsibility and sexual behaviour. I auditioned for the role of Cassie a 15 year old, troubled teenager. Cassie organises a party for her friends and as a result of being plied with alcohol is forced into sexual activity with a seventeen year old male. At twenty two I had left behind my early teens and had to improvise the role of Cassie based upon my recent knowledge. The Director’s briefing notes and script helped me bring my own experience to the character well enough to secure the role.
I had to build upon the concrete experience I was recalling for a number of reasons. Firstly the Drama was being presented to groups of fifteen and sixteen year olds in school settings around the south of England and secondly each production was to be supported by ‘forum theatre’ and ‘hot seating’ in order to help the audience’s own learning about the issues.
Initially I studied characters in the TV drama ‘Waterloo Road’ concentrating on the fourteen and fifteen year olds specifically analysing: how they dressed, the headbands, earrings and the manner they wore their school ties: their style of speech, catch phrases and dialect: their behaviour towards each other and the adults in the programme.
I also visited my local park to watch teenagers interacting with each other, listening carefully to how they used humour, body language and voice to project their image. These activities were my character observation, redeveloping my experience and understanding of the life of a teenager.
I spent time thinking about Cassie and how to layer the thoughts and feelings I had been considering, onto her character. Cassie in the script was larger than life, uncaring, a bit of a bitch. She encouraged everyone to live for the moment. I had to consider how to present her vulnerability, insecurities and her desire to be accepted. The observation stage helped me to consider how to develop the role, how to expose Cassie’s resentment and insecurity when she was criticised by other teenagers. I was also asked to make sure that the audience sympathised with the character. This challenged me to develop two characteristics: Cassie’s brashness and her vulnerability whilst also making her realistic enough to be accepted by other teenagers.
I believe that the process I went through helped me to portray Cassie successfully. I was able to reveal her aggressive, devil may care attitude, whilst also showing her inexperience and conveying how she had been led into a situation which she couldn’t control. It was evident during the after show workshops that the students could empathise and understand how Cassie had behaved as she had and the danger she was in. After each production I was able to use the feedback and questions from the teenagers to refine how I presented ‘Cassie’ in the next show. I was demonstrating that I could combine my knowledge and experience to refine my performance.
It also became evident that some students understanding of the issues related to alcohol abuse and sexual activity developed faster than others. In these situations I began to adapt the role of Cassie within the drama and the workshops. I used a range of strategies: rhetorical questioning, intonation and different levels of explanation, to help the teenagers explore and understand the issues we were presenting. These strategies would change according to different groups of students and also within groups in the same school. This was the company and me personally grasping the experience and transforming it into meaning for ourselves and the students.
I had taken Cassie’s character, personalised my understanding of it and after adding my own perspective to it, I had applied it to different school situations. Further more I had started to understand how to modify, accentuate and exaggerate different elements of my learning in order to help the learning of others.
Kolb’s theory describes a model for managing learning. It suggests a continuous process by which students can develop their own learning. Kolb describes learning cycle made up of four elements: Concrete (doing, feeling), Observation (watching, assimilating) Abstract conceptualisation (thinking, considering) and active experimentation (transforming, adapting). He acknowledges that a learner can join the cycle at any point. I think the really interesting parts of the process are: abstract thinking and testing in active experimentation elements. It is through these parts of the process that I have grasped an experience and transformed it, adding my own meaning and understanding. For me it is when knowledge and experience interchange in importance determined by the situation in which I am applying my learning.
In 2008 I was cast for a role in a Theatre in Education production ‘Last Order’s’. The production was about the dangers of alcohol abuse and its impact upon individual responsibility and sexual behaviour. I auditioned for the role of Cassie a 15 year old, troubled teenager. Cassie organises a party for her friends and as a result of being plied with alcohol is forced into sexual activity with a seventeen year old male. At twenty two I had left behind my early teens and had to improvise the role of Cassie based upon my recent knowledge. The Director’s briefing notes and script helped me bring my own experience to the character well enough to secure the role.
I had to build upon the concrete experience I was recalling for a number of reasons. Firstly the Drama was being presented to groups of fifteen and sixteen year olds in school settings around the south of England and secondly each production was to be supported by ‘forum theatre’ and ‘hot seating’ in order to help the audience’s own learning about the issues.
Initially I studied characters in the TV drama ‘Waterloo Road’ concentrating on the fourteen and fifteen year olds specifically analysing: how they dressed, the headbands, earrings and the manner they wore their school ties: their style of speech, catch phrases and dialect: their behaviour towards each other and the adults in the programme.
I also visited my local park to watch teenagers interacting with each other, listening carefully to how they used humour, body language and voice to project their image. These activities were my character observation, redeveloping my experience and understanding of the life of a teenager.
I spent time thinking about Cassie and how to layer the thoughts and feelings I had been considering, onto her character. Cassie in the script was larger than life, uncaring, a bit of a bitch. She encouraged everyone to live for the moment. I had to consider how to present her vulnerability, insecurities and her desire to be accepted. The observation stage helped me to consider how to develop the role, how to expose Cassie’s resentment and insecurity when she was criticised by other teenagers. I was also asked to make sure that the audience sympathised with the character. This challenged me to develop two characteristics: Cassie’s brashness and her vulnerability whilst also making her realistic enough to be accepted by other teenagers.
I believe that the process I went through helped me to portray Cassie successfully. I was able to reveal her aggressive, devil may care attitude, whilst also showing her inexperience and conveying how she had been led into a situation which she couldn’t control. It was evident during the after show workshops that the students could empathise and understand how Cassie had behaved as she had and the danger she was in. After each production I was able to use the feedback and questions from the teenagers to refine how I presented ‘Cassie’ in the next show. I was demonstrating that I could combine my knowledge and experience to refine my performance.
It also became evident that some students understanding of the issues related to alcohol abuse and sexual activity developed faster than others. In these situations I began to adapt the role of Cassie within the drama and the workshops. I used a range of strategies: rhetorical questioning, intonation and different levels of explanation, to help the teenagers explore and understand the issues we were presenting. These strategies would change according to different groups of students and also within groups in the same school. This was the company and me personally grasping the experience and transforming it into meaning for ourselves and the students.
I had taken Cassie’s character, personalised my understanding of it and after adding my own perspective to it, I had applied it to different school situations. Further more I had started to understand how to modify, accentuate and exaggerate different elements of my learning in order to help the learning of others.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
KOLB'S Learning Cycle
I must say I am rather confused with this section of the work! I could not attend the day at Middlesex Uni so I decided to look through all you lovely people's blogs to see if it helped me understanbd the process better, after looking through, it made it easier but still is confusing for me. I decided to try and write my own cycle with what I was learning.
1) Concrete
I looked at other peoples blogs and the module handbook to try and undertsnad KOLB'S cycle.
2)Reflective
I knew how the basic 4 steps of KOLB's cycle after reading through these blogs and I know the process I need to follow.
However when I got to the next section (Abstract) I didnt know what to put as I couldnt see any differece between the reflective section and the Abstract Conseptualisation section. I then realised that this could perhaps be because I am only really doing section two myself which is refelction and watching, I have not done a task so I have not put it into practice. Am i on the right lines here? could anyone correct me or explain it to me any better? I am under the impression we take on thing we have learnt, for example I might take a recent rehersal process I have done and split the process into the four sections, or take the my teachers essay I did and split that into the sections...is that right? Help is needed I am very confused! or confuzzled as I like to say!
1) Concrete
I looked at other peoples blogs and the module handbook to try and undertsnad KOLB'S cycle.
2)Reflective
I knew how the basic 4 steps of KOLB's cycle after reading through these blogs and I know the process I need to follow.
However when I got to the next section (Abstract) I didnt know what to put as I couldnt see any differece between the reflective section and the Abstract Conseptualisation section. I then realised that this could perhaps be because I am only really doing section two myself which is refelction and watching, I have not done a task so I have not put it into practice. Am i on the right lines here? could anyone correct me or explain it to me any better? I am under the impression we take on thing we have learnt, for example I might take a recent rehersal process I have done and split the process into the four sections, or take the my teachers essay I did and split that into the sections...is that right? Help is needed I am very confused! or confuzzled as I like to say!
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Question for all the Work Based Learning People!
Hi everyone, I wondered if anyone could shed any light on this for me?....I am confused as to what a "hard copy" of the work means! I presumed this meant a printed out copy that would need to be posted to the university, am I correct or in week 6 is all the work emailed in? I am just trying to get organised in advance as I am leaving for Taiwan soon for six months so I have to arrange someone to post my work off for me once I have emailed it to them if this is the case!!! if anyone could get back to me about this that would be great! cheers x
Thursday, 1 October 2009
My General Intrests
One of the things I love to do the most is read. Many people say dancing is an escape for them but to me it is my work, reading is my escape. I love nothing better than settling down with a good book, I read on the tube, at home, sometimes even walking down the street! I really do believe you can learn so much about the world and different ways of life from every single book you read. My favourite author is Jodi Picoult, and once I start one of her books I cannot put it down, they are real page turners! I love the way she always takes a moral issue and puts it against a legal one. One particular book of hers really struck a chord with me, “Nineteen Minutes” It is about a young lad who ends up shooting lots of people in his school, but it tells the story from his point of view and as strange as it sounds I ended up feeling so sorry for the boy as I read what he had been through and the way he was treated at school that led to his outburst. Jodi always provides such an excellent read, just talking about her books now gets me excited, she is fantastic!
I also am interested in books about other religions as religion is something I find fascinating. A book titled "A Thousand Splendid Suns” is breathtaking, it’s about two women living in Afghanistan when the Taliban took over and really gives you an insight into the life for Muslim women over there. Another great read is “Mao’s Last dancer” this book is so informative and is just so compelling, telling you all about the communist life in China. Reading is something I have always loved and wish I got more time to do.
Another big interest of mine which I have already touched on is religion. I am not religious at all myself but have always been fascinated by different cultures and religions. As a child I used to love my Dad taking me down the Folsehill Road in Coventry, which is a predominantly Asian area, I remember being so excited looking in all the shop windows at the beautiful sari’s and one day I went into a shop to get some shoes and I can still to this day remember how elated I was when the lady presented me with the most beautiful sparkly shoes I had ever seen. My mum always used to buy me sari material with paisley patterns on for me to put up in my room, and different coloured sparkly bangles. I have also always been interested in the Chinese culture, I love going along to the Chinese New Year celebrations in London and this year I will be able to experience them first hand as I will be in Taiwan for six months. I have many friends of all different religions and cultures’s and love nothing more than discussing it with them and finding out as much as I can about the traditions and celebrations they have. I often go onto websites and read up about different religions.
I also am interested in books about other religions as religion is something I find fascinating. A book titled "A Thousand Splendid Suns” is breathtaking, it’s about two women living in Afghanistan when the Taliban took over and really gives you an insight into the life for Muslim women over there. Another great read is “Mao’s Last dancer” this book is so informative and is just so compelling, telling you all about the communist life in China. Reading is something I have always loved and wish I got more time to do.
Another big interest of mine which I have already touched on is religion. I am not religious at all myself but have always been fascinated by different cultures and religions. As a child I used to love my Dad taking me down the Folsehill Road in Coventry, which is a predominantly Asian area, I remember being so excited looking in all the shop windows at the beautiful sari’s and one day I went into a shop to get some shoes and I can still to this day remember how elated I was when the lady presented me with the most beautiful sparkly shoes I had ever seen. My mum always used to buy me sari material with paisley patterns on for me to put up in my room, and different coloured sparkly bangles. I have also always been interested in the Chinese culture, I love going along to the Chinese New Year celebrations in London and this year I will be able to experience them first hand as I will be in Taiwan for six months. I have many friends of all different religions and cultures’s and love nothing more than discussing it with them and finding out as much as I can about the traditions and celebrations they have. I often go onto websites and read up about different religions.
People Whose Work I Admire
Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga is an exquisite and captivating singer and Musical Theatre performer whom I admire greatly. She was born in February 1972 in the Philippines and is probably best known for her starring role as Kim in “Miss Saigon”. She began performing as a child in her local country and it was only when the producers in the UK couldn’t find a strong enough Asian singer/actress over here, that they began looking across countries all over the world, and discovered Lea. For this performance she won an Olivier award in 1998 and since then her career has gone from strength to strength. She went on to become the first Asian actress to play Eponine in “Les Miserables”, and this is something I admire her for, she really flies the flag for Asian actresses and singers around the world. Not only is she famous for her roles on stage but also she is the singing voice of some of our best loved Disney characters, Princess Jasmine in “Aladdin” and “Mulan”. This would be a dream of mine, to sing for a Disney film as I love Disney. Listening to Lea sing the songs is amazing as she has such a beautiful voice.
What I like about Lea is before she hit the big time worldwide, she was very well known in her own country, she hosted her own Musical Television show and acted in many films in the Philippines as well as releasing her own albums and starring in Musicals and since then she has performed a lot in her home country but has never forgotten her roots and where she came from.
She really is an inspiration to so many young female singers and actresses out there, her performance in “Miss Saigon” was breathtaking and I always watch her on the film of “Hey Mr Producer” and am blown away.
People Whose Work I Admire
Rodgers and Hammerstein
Rodgers and Hammerstein, along with my mother are responsible for my love of Musical Theatre! I remember my Mum making me watch "Carousel" on TV when I was about five and I instantly fell in love with it.
Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers are, without a doubt, the most successful partnership in Musical Theatre and are responsible for some of the greatest musicals of the golden era.
The first musical they worked on together was "Oklahoma!”, and this began a new genre of musical. For a start it was the first musical ever to begin with a solo song and it was the start of moving musicals away from the farcical shows that had come before and into more serious plots. They concentrated on how each song would fit into the plot and what the style and context of each number was. For the first time in Musical history each song and dance was there for a reason and moved the story on. In all their musicals since, each song has a dramatic purpose and tells a story, as do all the dance routines. Rodgers's and Hammerstein's work is very distinct as they have certain character types, which appear in each of their musicals, for example the soprano leading lady, who’s usually involved in a love story. I admire them for being brave enough to be the first to use Musicals as a way of creating a thought-provoking piece of theatre.
The Sound of Music is another one of my favourites and was the first musical I ever performed on stage and it again has serious underlying issues about the Nazi’s and the war. I admire the duo a lot because, it turned Musical Theatre around to what it is today and there are still so many of their works being revived on the West End and Broadway.
I will always credit Rodgers and Hammerstein in inspiring me to do what I am doing today. In my opinion their musicals are what real musical theatre is all about and I still get a warm feeling whenever I watch a film by them or sing a Rodgers and Hammerstein song!
People Whose Work I Admire
Bob Fosse
The Choreographer I admire the most has to be Bob Fosse. Fosse has in my opinion, the most unique and instantly recognisable style of Jazz dance and this is why almost every professional dancer has studied his work at some point. Just the mention of his name makes his distinct style of isolated and angular movementS spring to my mind.
Fosse had a back condition, scoliosis, which is something I suffer from, but what I love about him is that he put that imperfection into his work, whilst most choreographers looked for long and lean lines, he preferred to use angles, opting for turned in knees and shoulders. He broke the mould with his innovative choreography and his use of props. Again putting his own imperfections into his dance style, he was self conscious of his bald head so he danced with bowler hats, he also used white gloves a lot because he didn’t like his hands, these are all things which I have admiration for, he based his choreography on whatever he wanted, what suited him rather than what was the norm at the time.
I love performing Fosse’s work as there is so much sensuality within his style, and his use of subtext is amazing. Other hallmark’s of Fosse’s work are finger clicking, hip and shoulder rolls, isolated movements and his famous backwards walk. Some of the shows he has worked on are Chicago, Sweet Charity and Cabaret, which are all favourite Musicals of mine. Whenever I have seen his work performed it always strikes me how clean and simple it looks but how effective it is. He was a perfectionist, and what comes across greatly in his style is his attention to detail, there is not a finger out of place when his dancers are on stage. Fosse put style before substance and used minimalist costumes, mainly opting for all black with the smallest touch of white gloves for effect. I will never tire of watching and performing the works of Bob Fosse, I love the sensuality his work brings, and the clean and precise nature of it.
Monday, 28 September 2009
My Top 5 Resources From My Professional Practice
Throughout my professional career there have been many rescources that I couldn't have lived without. The first one I would like to mention is Casting Call Pro. This website is fantastic for networking and searching for jobs. Each person creates there own profile, which can include pictures and your CV, then you get the option to subscribe or not. If you choose to subscribe you are able to search through any casting calls that may appear on the site and I have used this on a day to day basis for the past two years to find out about different auditions and apply for them. There is also a huge networking section on there which allows you to interact with other people in the industry and begin disscussions on different subjects. I have particulary gained a lot of information from the section on agents, It rates agents and gives feedback on different agents aswell as telling you which agents have open books at the time. This website is an integral part of my day to day professional practice. Take a look at the link above and search for me, just type my name Rebecca Gage and you will see my wonderfull page!
The next rescource I would like to mention is Spotlight. This is recommended to anyone who is serious about being in the profession, it is used by agents, casting directors and actors worldwide and has a very high reputation. I have used it in the past to look up what agents certain actors are with and also where they get there headshots done, you can learn a lot about who you would like your pictures done by this way. Again go onto the link above and search for me to see my page.
Another helpful resource for me has been the Equity website. This website has helped me in so many ways. I always refer to it whenever I need information on certain legalities regarding contracts and public liability insurence. I check it on a day to day basis for any jobs or auditions that may be posted on the members page also.
The Stage website is another of my weekly visits! This is for people like myself who would rather check the internet for free than pay for the newspaper every week! The Stage is a newspaper which keeps you upto date on all thats going on in the industry, it reviews certain performances and tells you what productions are coming up. It also has blog enteries from industry professionals to give you advice on certain aspects of the industry. The Stage is so great for keeping in the loop with the world of showbiz. One of the main advantages of The Stage, however is the auditions section, it tells you about weekly castings and open auditions, which is great.
A new website that I have began to use is Castweb. I came across this whilst doing some research on casting directors and I am confident that it will prove to be very important to my career. If you subscribe to the site, it send you lots of information on different castings and gives you a full breakdown of each casting, which enables you to decide what parts are right for you to apply for.
Please feel free to look at the links to the different websites and give some feedback on them.
The next rescource I would like to mention is Spotlight. This is recommended to anyone who is serious about being in the profession, it is used by agents, casting directors and actors worldwide and has a very high reputation. I have used it in the past to look up what agents certain actors are with and also where they get there headshots done, you can learn a lot about who you would like your pictures done by this way. Again go onto the link above and search for me to see my page.
Another helpful resource for me has been the Equity website. This website has helped me in so many ways. I always refer to it whenever I need information on certain legalities regarding contracts and public liability insurence. I check it on a day to day basis for any jobs or auditions that may be posted on the members page also.
The Stage website is another of my weekly visits! This is for people like myself who would rather check the internet for free than pay for the newspaper every week! The Stage is a newspaper which keeps you upto date on all thats going on in the industry, it reviews certain performances and tells you what productions are coming up. It also has blog enteries from industry professionals to give you advice on certain aspects of the industry. The Stage is so great for keeping in the loop with the world of showbiz. One of the main advantages of The Stage, however is the auditions section, it tells you about weekly castings and open auditions, which is great.
A new website that I have began to use is Castweb. I came across this whilst doing some research on casting directors and I am confident that it will prove to be very important to my career. If you subscribe to the site, it send you lots of information on different castings and gives you a full breakdown of each casting, which enables you to decide what parts are right for you to apply for.
Please feel free to look at the links to the different websites and give some feedback on them.
VITAL STATISTICS
Height: 5’8”
Hair Colour: Auburn
Eye Colour: Green
Playing Age: 17– 25 years
Nationality: British
Spotlight Pin: 846578657122
CREDITS
Theatre
Company Production Role Director
Solomon Associates Last Orders Cassie Mark Hyde
Everyman Theatre Aladdin PC Ping/Handmaiden Phill Clark
Disney High School Musical-
Singstar Promotion Singer Alivestock
Urdang Academy Moby Dick! The Musical Starbuck MichaelHowcroft
Urdang Academy Cabaret Ensemble Michael Howcroft
Stratford Upon Avon The Boyfriend Maisie Ed Pinner
Stratford Upon Avon A Midsummer Nights
Dream Titania Sarah Methuin
Stratford Upon Avon Measure For Measure Mrs.Overdone Ed Pinner
Film / Commercial
Company Production Role Director
Hatch Smackdown Vs Raw Crowd Mark Harrison
Vagabond 3PM Kick Off Rosie Daniel Jones
Rumble Productions I Guess Its Grown Up? Lucy Rebecca Rumble
Workshops
Company Role
English National Opera Assistant
Rehearsed Reading
Company Production Role Director
Tureg Productions Living Under One Roof Kathy Lorna Holder
SKILLS
Singing Range: Bottom E, Belt to a D, Head to a top C
Movement: Tap, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Baroque, Contemporary, Street Jazz
Instruments: Grade 5 Piano
Accents: Native Midlands, Birmingham, Liverpool, Cockney, Scottish, Northern, American
Training: The Urdang Academy, 3 year Musical Theatre Course.
Height: 5’8”
Hair Colour: Auburn
Eye Colour: Green
Playing Age: 17– 25 years
Nationality: British
Spotlight Pin: 846578657122
CREDITS
Theatre
Company Production Role Director
Solomon Associates Last Orders Cassie Mark Hyde
Everyman Theatre Aladdin PC Ping/Handmaiden Phill Clark
Disney High School Musical-
Singstar Promotion Singer Alivestock
Urdang Academy Moby Dick! The Musical Starbuck MichaelHowcroft
Urdang Academy Cabaret Ensemble Michael Howcroft
Stratford Upon Avon The Boyfriend Maisie Ed Pinner
Stratford Upon Avon A Midsummer Nights
Dream Titania Sarah Methuin
Stratford Upon Avon Measure For Measure Mrs.Overdone Ed Pinner
Film / Commercial
Company Production Role Director
Hatch Smackdown Vs Raw Crowd Mark Harrison
Vagabond 3PM Kick Off Rosie Daniel Jones
Rumble Productions I Guess Its Grown Up? Lucy Rebecca Rumble
Workshops
Company Role
English National Opera Assistant
Rehearsed Reading
Company Production Role Director
Tureg Productions Living Under One Roof Kathy Lorna Holder
SKILLS
Singing Range: Bottom E, Belt to a D, Head to a top C
Movement: Tap, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Baroque, Contemporary, Street Jazz
Instruments: Grade 5 Piano
Accents: Native Midlands, Birmingham, Liverpool, Cockney, Scottish, Northern, American
Training: The Urdang Academy, 3 year Musical Theatre Course.
Hello and welcome to my Musical Theatre blog...here I will share all my thoughts and experiences on my working life for the next year or so. You will see my headshot on my page next to this text, so you can put a face to the name...!
It's the first time I have set up a blog so am still unsure as I guess we all are, but anyway here it is I hope you like it!
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