At 4.48

Quite a bit has happened recently. 1)I've still got this essay to do for monday. Its good fun doing it though. Is theatre a good forum for social debate? 2)I am currently rehearsing 'An ideal husband' with the Nomads. Its really weird Its not even been a month since twelfth night and I am already back in the same place. I'm playing Sir Robert who is one of the main characters and I've got 2 months to do it (lots of lines). So I went to a rehearsal last night and met the cast. They've already got through 2 Sir Roberts so far so they were a bit bewildered. One of the people who plays a main character is Gray who I knew previously from Drama. It'll be a laugh anyway. 3)Paddy phoned me aswell last night an asked me if I wanted to be on the Nomad's Oscar commitee. It basically raises money for funds in which students can apply for loans for projects of film or drama. I don't know what I will do though. 4)Saw Baz's play 4.48 Psychosis last night aswell. I really enjoyed it and it seemed quite surreal that we were applauding suicide. The play itself has no characters. Just lines with dashes before them. This means that it can be performed by 1 or 1000 people.

Engagements, Vampires and Artists in 24 Hours

Just finished 24 with the nomads. Quite knackered.We started at 9 yesterday evening at Greek Ben's. I thought I would just tag along and help out when needed. Joe, Dan and Ian were writing so I thought I might have a go as well. I was reading the Big Issue and happened to find an article about vampires that had been spotted in London and Birmingham. So from 9.00 till about half 2 in the morning I wrote the following script: 24 Scene 1 Two people Detective and Suspect sat in interview room Detective: So this is your statement? Suspect: Yes. Detective: Is this everything that happened? Suspect: Yes. Detective: Right. So Mr Koven… Suspect: Tim. Detective: Mr Koven, you were in Sparkhill at about 3.30 this morning Suspect: How do you know that? Detective: Its in your statement here. Now you were spotted by an eyewitness, who claimed that you were assaulting a person in an alley nearby. Suspect: Hmm. Detective: Now according to your statement here, you were in fact helping the person. Could you please explain? Suspect: Yes Pause Detective: Now please. Pause Mr Koven Suspect: Tim. Detective: Mr Koven could you please tell me your story? Suspect: Right. Well I was strolling down the street as one usually does… Detective: …at half three in the morning… Suspect: Yes, and I happened to meet a person who appeared to be very distressed. So I went over to them and said… Detective: …’Give me your money and you wont get hurt’… Suspect: Yes. What. Detective: That is what our eye witness heard you say. Pause Suspect: Right. Er, I actually said… give me your money and you wont get burnt. Detective: Burnt? Suspect: Yes burnt. Detective: Give me your money and you wont get burnt. Suspect: Yes. Detective: Why was this? Suspect: Er…well…He was smoking a fag…yes…and he was in a pretty bad way, choking and everything. And he had some notes in his other hand… Detective: As he was choking Suspect: Yes. Detective: And you were worried that they might get burnt? Suspect: Yes exactly that. Detective: So that is why you snatched the money from him? Suspect: Well I had to do something, otherwise it could have been burnt. Detective: So let me get this straight. You saw a man choking on the street, and the first thought that popped into your head was to deprive him of his money? Suspect: Now I can see why it may look like a mugging. Detective: Can you? Suspect: But I promise you that there is a perfect and rational explanation for all of this. Detective: I’m sure its just a huge misunderstanding. Suspect: Yes Detective: Now what did you do next? Incidentally did you return the money to the poor man? Suspect: Oh yes definitely, as soon I knew it was ok to. Detective: Which was? Suspect: Er, when you arrived. Detective: I see. So what did you do after you so caringly took this man’s money? Suspect: I tried to stop him choking. Detective: You tried to stop him choking. Suspect: Yes Detective: By forcing him into the wall. Suspect: Yes Detective: And repeatedly (glancing at paper), yes repeatedly punching him in the stomach and head. Suspect: Yes Detective: Why, may I ask? Suspect: Er.. to stop him choking and to er force him to breathe properly. Detective: What about the Heimlich manoeuvre? Suspect: Er, I didn’t think. Detective: Right. Now Mr Koven… Suspect: Tim Detective: Yes ok. Now I find this all very difficult to believe. Suspect: But its all written there, I’ve only written it how it was. Detective: I see so when you bit him, you were also trying to help him? Pause Suspect: Yes. I was giving him a Tracheotomy. Detective: On his shoulder? Suspect: Yes Pause Detective: Did it help? Suspect: It did yes. Detective: Good. So when our witness claims that you then began to suck the man’s blood, you were in fact giving him air? Suspect: It makes sense when you think about it. Detective: I’m sure it does. Now after successfully ‘resuscitating’ the man, what did you do then? Suspect: I tried to sort of position him in the recovery position… Detective: By trying to force him into a bin. Suspect: Yes Detective: Right. Now Mr … Tim Suspect: Mr Koven Detective: Ok Mr Koven, now can you please try and explain the logical reason for this? Some might say –and I’m merely playing Devil’s advocate here- that you were intending to dispose of the man without anyone noticing. Suspect: I don’t see that. Detective: You then see this as a perfectly rational thing to do? Suspect: Exactly. Detective: Do tell… Suspect: I read it in a book somewhere. There are special people who use confined spaces to feel calm and relaxed. Detective: Like meditation? Suspect: Yes. Detective: So you therefore felt that after reviving this person, the best course of action to take would be to force them to meditate inside a litter bin? Suspect: To be more relaxed. Detective: So when did you discover he was dead? Suspect: When I got to about his knees, and he sort of began to shake. Detective: Shake. Suspect: Yes. And I had to sort of lean into the bin to… Detective: …Check his pulse? Suspect: Yes… Detective: …Not to try and get his wallet? Suspect: No. Detective: I see. So what did you do when you found out he was dead. Suspect: Well I tried to get out to call for help… Detective: But you couldn’t. Suspect: No Detective: How long do you think you were trapped there for then? Suspect: About 45 minutes. Then you lot came and brought me here. Detective: Right well that clears up a few matters. Now we have two conflicting stories here. Suspect: Yes. Detective: One is that of a valiant rescuer, and the other is that of a cold-bloodied killer. Which are you Mr Koven? And yes, I know your name is Tim. Suspect: Oh. Well I suppose the first one. Detective: The valiant rescuer? Suspect: Yes that one. Detective: So you believe the witness’s report to be false? Suspect: Of course! I mean they probably made it up anyway just to cause a scene! You know how people can be. Detective: Yes sir, the whole concept of beating a man to life seems completely rational when you put it like that. Suspect: I mean a person who can make up a story like that has got to be sick! Detective: Even if they were the wife of the deceased? Suspect: Even if they were the wife of the deceased! Oh. Detective: In addition to all of this we also found some interesting items in the bag you were carrying. (reads)One black cloak, one pair of plastic luminescent fangs, a banana and a copy of ‘Interview with a vampire’ on DVD. Suspect: But you see… Detective: Now considering all the evidence here, would you sir call yourself a vampire? Suspect: Oh no…yes. Detective: So I might therefore be liable to have a wild stab in the dark and say that you were in fact trying to drink the blood of the deceased? Suspect: Sort of. Detective: Sort of. Suspect: Yes. Detective: So why dare I ask did you want to be a vampire? Pause Suspect: You wouldn’t understand Detective: Try me. Suspect: Its not something that’s easy to talk about you know, people get the wrong idea. Detective: I can imagine. Suspect: I always wanted to be different ever since I was a kid. I always wanted to sort of go against the trend of things. Detective: There’s nothing wrong with that. Suspect: You didn’t think that before. Detective: I meant about being different, not the whole vampire thing. Look, we all live our lives differently, it makes us who we are. You just chose to live your life a little more differently than others. Suspect: That’s your opinion. Detective: My opinion! This morning you assaulted and killed a man. That does not sound like your average human being. Suspect: We’re all capable of it. I just got caught that’s all. Detective: Be that as it may, I still have to convict you. Sergeant enters and goes to lead Suspect out. Suspect: You’ll get caught one day Inspector and you’ll be in the exact same position as me. Detective: Well until that happens I’ll carry on my job here, which at the moment is to put you in the cells. Sergeant and Suspect exit. Suspect: Crazy sod. Scene 2 Sergeant enters. Sergeant: Sir we need you to come quick. Detective: What is it? Sergeant: Its Koven sir. Detective: What. Spit it out man! Sergeant: He’s gone sir. Detective: Gone? Gone where? Pause Sergeant: We don’t know sir. Detective: What exactly happened? Sergeant: We put him in the cell and locked the door properly as usual sir. Detective: And? Sergeant: And when we went to check on him later sir, he wasn’t there. Detective: Did anyone else have access to him. Sergeant: No sir just me. Detective: And the door was locked properly. Sergeant: Yes sir, as usual. Sergeant recollects something Detective: What is it? Sergeant: Nothing sir. Just that I though I saw something outside of the cell window. Detective: What? Sergeant: I don’t know, a bird or something. Gave me a scare. Detective: A bird… Sergeant: …Or something like it. Detective: Could it have been a … Constable enters Constable: Sir, Pathologist on the phone, apparently there’s something you’ve got to see. Detective: (rubbing his neck) I’m coming. All exit. Whilst writing this, we also went out to the beach and played on Mario Kart. I got home and into bed at about 3 in the morning. I then got up at about 9.30 to type up my masterpiece and print copies. At 12 O'clock I turned up at the Joint. I then went with Dan to print what he had written and show him the pictures of 'The Other Side'. In the end we had 3 scripts. The first was Dan's which was my favourite as it presented alot of interesting characters. It tells the tale of a couple that go to restaurants and fake engagements to get free meals. The cast was, Aimee(Steph), Lewis(Dan), Melvin the Old man(Joe), Boss(Me), Jane, Craig(Me) and the Waiter(Kurt). I didn't need a script for this one but we all adlibbed a bit. The second was mine (see above) which I was surprised they picked. Detective(Roisin), Suspect(Me),Sergeant(Mel) and Constable(Ben). Got a few laugths. The third and final one was written by Joe who finished it about 3 hours before we went on stage. It inverts the idea of the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles and instead tells the story of the famous artists who live in the London Underground. Michaelangelo(Joe),Raphael(Me),Leonardo(Ishmael),Donatelo(Kurt),Grand Master/Andy Warhol(Dan),Tracy Emmins(Helen) and Damien Hurst(Ben). We all practically read our scripts throughout this, but nobody cared. It lasted about 40 minutes, which is quite good. About 10 people came to watch but it was still good fun anyway, and something to say I've done. It felt weird performing a play you'd just written a few hours ago. Twelfth Night Social on Wednesday, yay.

Ashes to Ashes

Went shopping today. Walked to Iceland (for Pizzas) and Safeway (for everything else). I bought The Village today. Probably watch it with Craig and Sam tomorrow. Saw Ashes to Ashes today. The shortest play I've ever seen -40 minutes. Kind of bored at the moment. Did Owen's short film last Sunday, good laugh.

Twelfth Night: Very Good! The End of All Things

Its done. The show went really well, although I am still (too bloody late now) not happy with my character. The biggest shock/surprise of the night was glimpsing my parents through the glass windows (Jesus on a bike).With other Drama lecturers in the audience, the pressure was on. I knew that as long as I nailed the first scene I would be fine. After the show we all went to The Bay where most of us got pissed or addicted to the popcorn treats that Colin's parents had given us. By the way, while all this was happening the bloke we hired to film the play was still filming (he he). They hope to create a DVD with extras. Ellie and Rachel had also created awards for everyone. I won Best Shakespearian Actor and shared Best Cover Up with Rachel for our little blunder in Act V yesterday. They also appear to all like my stage voice and some say that they could listen to it all the time(?). I think I'll probably read audio books when I'm older. It was sad however that all good things must come to an end. Therefore I would like to say a little bit about the people in the play. Jim/Orsino: A crazy laid back bloke with a crazy sense of humour. Got completely pissed this evening. I had to go round his house afterwards where I borrowed his keys to get my bag from his car. I do not know whether it was a drunken whim or not, but he wants to put on The Long, The Short and The Tall of it next year (A play I briefly acted in at year 10)and he would like me to act in it. Owain/Curio Absolutely hilarious bloke who remains in the background and steps forward occasionally and delivers funny lines. I'm a big fan of his films and would like to act in one. Cannot catch chewing gum in his mouth. Ben/Valentine An eccentric man who is a big fan of books and was often found reading inbetween scenes. Ellie/Viola A fantastic person who undoubtedly has the potential to go far on stage. Like all the others in the cast she has a terrific sense of humour and a real passion for her acting. Lizzie/Olivia A crazy rock and roll chick who is equally commited to drama and creates performances that are mesmirising. She also introduced me to Strongbow and Black. Joe/Sebastian A man of the world with a witty sense of humour who looked like Errol Flynne on stage. He is also in the works of writing a spoof of the Hobbit and says that I can be in it. Kev/Sir Toby A fellow first year who remains spiritually and physically connected with his character. He is famous for his 'bolt-ons' (thanks JTA) on scenes as he is always willing to experiment with new aspects of his performance. We will hopefully be both directing Two Gentlemen Of Verona together later this year. A smashing bloke. Colin/Sir Andrew Bloody hell. Colin is and will always be a legend. He introduced me to magical Trevor. He is crazy, eccentric and American. He always has something genuinely interesting to say about everything and it is fascinating to hear him speak. He has a vast experience of theatre and performing and was a joy to work with. A man with a heart of gold. Liz/Maria Without Liz we would be nude on stage. Her organisation of costumes was fantastic. She organised everything concerning clothing and props such as the letter (one of which I've kept). She is a lovely girl with a down-to-earth sense of humour and I hope she has a good time in China with Chris. Paddy/Malvolio/Director A man who is beyond his years and naturally commands the stage. He is witty, hilarious and a fantastic director who shows compassion and professional understanding. It should be quite interesting to work with him on Art. Rachel/Feste As a last-minute addition to the cast, Rachel has done a fantastic job of dynamising the whole production. She was the one with the eternal optimism who always had a smile on her face. She has a wonderful sense of humour and her singing is incredible and gave the play a voomph. Damn you continuity. Hayley/Antonio Another extra addition to the cast who completely wowed us all with her performance during the duel scene. Another person who was always happy and hilarious to watch as she tried to put both her legs behind her head inbetween scenes. Amy/Everyone else A lovely girl with unflatering energy that dynamises all her roles. She is my practical group. JTA/Director With a firm knowledge of performance, we knew from the beginning that this production was to be in safe hands with Paddy and JTA. The two directors were a pleasure to work with. JTA created a strong sense of freedom within the group in terms of characterisation which allowed our characters to evolve more easily. I am ?