First week of rehearsals for Nakamitsu
Amazing things have started to happen.
From my point of view as “writer” or in this case adaptor/translator and upholder of the text… the moments where the words really start to come alive is incredibly thrilling.
The play respecting the Noh tradition – without being Noh (which would be impossible for us here) – is combining physicality, dance, poetry, song and music… hopefully everything theatre can be or might be.
It’s short too, so the West End Whingers might like it.
There was a beautiful moment when there is a switch from a 1st person to a 3rd person narrative [Brecht took this idea from Japanese and Chinese theatre, amongst other places, and really ran with it ---> now we have "Brechtian" theatrical moments] where there was a possible solution in combining the moment with a hummed chant. It may or may not work in full production but in that moment at that time at that space it felt very truthful.
Just one of the aspects that make rehearsals exciting. Although I’m only there half the time as work and other duties call. And actors (and directors) do probably need some time to create without their writer looking over thier shoulders (!) or do people think the writer should be round for everything…?
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2 Responses to “First week of rehearsals for Nakamitsu”
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About me
I'm a playwright and investment analyst. I have a broad range of interests: food, gardening, innovation & intellectual property, sustainability, architecture & design, writing and the arts. I sit on the board of Talawa Theatre Company and advise a CIS investment trust on socially responsible investments.
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Recent Work
Recent plays include, for theatre: Nakamitsu, Yellow Gentlemen, Lost in Peru, Lemon Love. For radio: Places in Between (R4), Patent Breaking Life Saving (WS).
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Nakamitsu
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Yellow Gentlemen
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Short???? OK, you’ve got our attention, Ben. Just tell us where and when.
Ben, I am proud to say that I will have seen all of your plays to date – if I make it tonight! Break another leg. Nicole x