'ROAD' - Official Character Study

‘Jerry’

Performance Techniques

What Theatrical Aesthetic can I bring to the character?

What does ‘Jerry’ look like? –             Amongst all the characters, ‘Jerry’ is the weary

old war veteran.  Visually he would have the appearance of an energetic mid-life man.  His wardrobe I pictured to be simple, yet formal, and to give the indication that he is almost “dressed to impress” even though his wardrobe could be considered “lazy”.  Two clothing styles of inspiration were:



     I found these two images would summarise ‘Jerry’s’ wardrobe.  Both indicate a formal, old age, feel, plus with their near colourless vision and power it reflects a sense of mystery, tragedy, and, I find, a sense of concern.  Saying that this isn’t a character you might want to be in contact with, foreshadowing my performance style of creating a sense of creepiness to his actions.  

What would ‘Jerry’ smell? -                 As his monologue draws to its end he shares his thoughts on how the world has changed; “I can’t see how that time could turn into this time.”  I find this extremely reflective, showing how he despises how modern society has changed.  Plus I find this reflective of what his sense of smell is.  Of course with his pain and living in the past attitude, supported in Act Two, we find that ‘Jerry’ is in fact an alcoholic.  Making all those who meet or come across him smell the beer.  But I believe that the smell of alcohol has become his aftershave, it has become a natural smell to him, but I find the one thing that increases his disliking towards modern society is the greasy and dirty smells his road gives off.  Plus it also reflects a theme of ‘inevitability’, as I find ‘Jerry’ who straight up hates the world and the new generation, ‘Generation X’, but cannot hide forever and finds himself, particularly later in the play that he excepts he is part of this new world.  “Jerry comes on in a worn blue velvet jacket, shirt, tie.  He is drunk and weepy-looking, eyes closed, dancing round and round with himself, across the stage.”  

What does ‘Jerry’ feel? -                       Of course ‘Jerry’ feels absolute sorrow and pain.  One feature that stood out for me, in ‘Jerry’ monologue, was his repetitive usage of the words “I can’t get over the past, how it was.  I just can’t.”  Plus with his mention of “I was RAF” making it clear for me that this was a character with tragedy in his history.  As well as being backed-up by the theme of ‘change’ and how he despises the new generation and the look of modern society, his monologue allows me the opportunity, as an actor, to express multiple emotions within less than ten minutes of stage time.  I will express:

 

·         Pain – Over the loss of his old friends; “I see ‘em now me old friends, their young faces turning round and smiling.”

·         Sorrow – Particularly for himself as he is desperate to get out and do something.  Except he is plain lazy.  I deduced this through his stage direction: “He puts his tie on the ironing board, irons it.”  This, I found, depicted his preparation for a night out, but clearly after his monologue he isn’t meeting any friends nor anyone for that matter.

·         Despise – Vastly towards the new generation and how society has changed, clearly not to his liking.

·         Dread – I deduced this particularly through his final words: “F***ing hell who’s spoiling life, me, us, them or God?”  I found that this is a reflection that he fears if he steps out of his doors he will instantly become a part of this new and dangerous world.  Something he dreads and possibly fears.

What performance style will I bring to the performance?

·         Accent – With Jim Cartwright’s ‘ROAD’ being set in the North of England, many of the characters have a Northern Accent; ‘Jerry’ is no exception.  Deduced from my first read through of the script ‘Jerry’s’ pronunciation of words, such as “them” are projected as “’em”.  As well as using “me” instead of “my”.  I found this to be a challenge as an actor as I personally never succeeded in mastering the Northern Accent, having previously slipped into a Scottish Accent.  But with support and vocal lessons and techniques I am succeeding bringing ‘Jerry’ to life vocally in rehearsals.  (One particular video that has supported my projection and inflection into the Northern Accent is Emily Bland’s Accent Tag - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OktDllQvXIY – supporting my projection and inflection of the accent into everyday little words)  Plus for the main performance I aim to truly reflect the setting of this play, by mastering the Northern Accent and bring ‘Jerry’ to life as intended and in a realistic manner.

·         The Monologue – Going through the monologue, and learning my lines, I find that this scene alone has its own style and story, extracted from the rest of the play.  While the majority of ‘ROAD’ bring many different and unique characters with various opinions and views of the modern world/society, I find ‘Jerry’s’ has a significant difference.  His monologue offers an intriguing tragedy background, plus the audience can become all the more engaged to see the true pain and suffering of this character.  But what I hope to accomplish within this performance it show layers to this character.  Giving him more dimensions (instead of making a simple tragic character) and showing an aggressive, perverted, and dreaded side to the character’s structure.  I believe if I can physically and vocally projected the layers of details that I’ve discovered in the character origins and status I can make this monologue one of the most intriguing and stand out moments from ‘ROAD’.  

What major themes does ‘Jerry’ represent?

     When analysing the script of ‘ROAD’ in more detail in a class we deduced several themes.  While the list varied I found these themes were the most essential within ‘ROAD’s’ storyline:

·         Change

·         Relationships

·         Friendships

·         Depression

·         Sex and Drugs

·         and Poverty

     All I found summarised the play’s characters (the confusing and dysfunctional friend and family relationships), their attitude (towards the change in their society and their usage of alcohol and drugs), and reflective of the world this play is set in (the 1980s when society changed in politics, poverty, economy, society, and when sex was viewed differently by the generation of that time).

     But what themes does ‘Jerry’ represent?  I particularly found, when reading through the script and learning my lines, that ‘Jerry’ has five distinct themes.  The themes are incredibly reflective of ‘Jerry’s’ character, his origins, and his attitude.  These themes are:

1)      Change – When researching the recorded history of Britain I looked particularly to what major changes happened in the society in the 1980s.  Through this research I found three historical events that changed society.  These events were:

     Margaret Thatcher becoming Prime Minister – This was a huge historical event; Britain had gained it first female Prime Minister.  This caused a huge divide between the British public and politicians; “Thatcher was respected but not liked by the British public” - http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/thatcherism_01.shtml.  Breaking away from the diversity traditions and showed what women can do in their prime wasn’t to everyone’s liking.  

     The Economic and Currency changes – More historical events that had a huge impact that divided the public’s opinions was the economic changes.  This caused great stress and concern for nearly everyone in the UK at the time.  Supporting Margaret Thatcher’s rise to Prime Minister was also the rise of conservative in Houses of Parliament, causing the inflation of the economy.  This lead to many becoming unemployed or receiving a lower pay salary.  “Unemployment shot up to 3 million and high unemployment persisted throughout the 1980s.” - http://www.economicshelp.org/blog/630/economics/economy-in-1980s/.  Plus all backed up by the change in the currency becoming pounds caused more stress amongst the public.

     A New and Different Generation entered the world – With the 1980s being a huge political decade of change, all events didn’t quite have a personal effect on the public quite like this change.  Known as ‘Generation X’, all those born after the Second World War experienced the society changes and received a new education into matters/subjects like sex and politics.  This caused more attitudes amongst all teenage individuals, plus opinions, views and attitudes towards sex became more open and less personal.  The impact and shock changed the future generations to become something out of tradition and new.  ‘Generation X’ - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X.

     I found through this research, backed up with my understanding of my monologue, that it is these three historical events that have had the biggest change emotions to ‘Jerry’.  Plus I find it give some reasons behind his actions, gestures and opinions to these matters.  He has a slight disliking attitude towards women, and having a female Prime Minister and people changing their views of the role of women changing as well doesn’t help him when he expresses his views and disliking to women.  Backing up this he has a strong connection with tradition, so with an economic and currency change, I find, he wouldn’t cope with these circumstances, especially when it supports his living.  But all wrapped up with the change of the newer generation having an attitude towards sexism and society is extremely not to his liking as it is all out of tradition, and in his eyes, horrific.  So I feel the theme of change has a huge impact on the character, and I wish to project that physically in my performance.

2)      Loss – I believe this theme has a more devastating impact on ‘Jerry’ particularly when he talks of his origins.  I found that in one of his last lines, it strongly identifies his sorrow of the loss of his friends: “I see ‘em now me old friends, their young faces turning round and smiling.”  Indicating as well that he might have lost them during the war, and feels either responsible or guilty for their losses.  I personally feel that it is ‘Jerry’ feeling responsible.  I like to believe this because it backs up his sexist attitude towards women.  In his monologue he gives a few hints towards perverting towards women (or “girls” as he refers to them as) but he mentions that his girlfriend worked in a factory – “And you’d go to your girlfriend’s factory.” – This gave me the impression that he had a strong, and very, independent young lover.  However with him feeling responsible for the death of his friends he might have felt the need to express his anger and guilt towards her.  This might have caused friction between them in their relationship; the only problem was he wouldn’t let her leave (in keeping the traditions of having only one relationship partner).  So when his girlfriend became more and more depressed and alone in their relationship she decided to leave him and secretly marry another man.  When discovering this news ‘Jerry’ would have been both really disappointed and really sad.  Disappointed because his girlfriend joined the new generation and broke the tradition gender roles.  But sad as well because he lost the only person, he never told, he loved.  So where we find him in the play he is moaning both losses and drinks away the memories, and perverting at other women as a way to get back at her, but in both circumstances fails as he doesn’t go anywhere with his life.

3)      Pain – ‘Jerry’s’ pain strongly links in with his losses.  In my performance I will really enhance my vocalisation and physicality to show what pain this character is going through.  Plus with an understanding of his origins now I will project these emotions, but give them to the audience to an extent that they don’t feel complete sorrow for the character and more shock at what he has become as a human being.

4)      Greed – I strongly believe this comes into the character of ‘Jerry’ only slightly.  I see greed within him as I want to show a dreadful and perverted side to the character and give an indication that he is almost seeking women for sexual pleasures in a greedy manner.  As I mentioned earlier he perverted thoughts and gestures towards the opposite sex come down to a slight sense of revenge towards his ex-girlfriend.  Therefore for line extracts, such as: “And the girls, so pretty.”  This line will be my opportunity to show his greed.  But I will also use this line: “You know I’m not saying this is right, but girls didn’t even go in pubs.”  Especially the wording of “I’m not saying this is right” gives a slight indication, in my eyes that he is holding back slightly in expressing his opinion of women.  Showing he knows that women are becoming more independent and it is wrong to make sexist comments now, so he slightly holds back on what he says.  Plus it could be his way to find another lover.   

5)      and Downfall – This theme strongly comes through how we currently find the character.  ‘Jerry’ has truly fallen throughout his history.  He began as a respected individual, now he can’t accept the changes in his life he has become an outcast and can be considered lazy, sexist, and useless.  While in his monologue he attempts to take a stand and prove he could be, and used to be.  But the monologue, I also find, ‘Jerry’ expresses that he is too lazy to continue and wishes to keep in his current house hold traditions.  Thereby making ‘Jerry’ the perfect depiction of how far an individual can fall if they don’t try.

 

Key Influences/Practitioners

What contextual research has influenced me?

     Through my research and understanding of three major historical events in the 1980s I have been strongly been influenced to perform a physical and vocal projection of themes and emotions to the character of ‘Jerry’.

     As stated previously the three major events: Margaret Thatcher becoming Prime Minister, The Economic and Currency Changes, and A New and Different Generation entering the world; all have caused a huge impact on the Historical, Political, Economical and Social structure of this world and ‘ROAD’s fictional depiction the same world.  Plus all three events have had a huge impact on the character, especially ‘Jerry’.  As I also stated previously, I will use these historical events as inspiration to give greater depth and meaning to ‘Jerry’s’ character. 

     Using performance techniques such as vocalisation and physicality (as well as the script) I will bring the character to life.  Giving hints and references towards the themes he represents and how the historical events back up his characterisation and the plot of ‘ROAD’.  Thereby giving my performance, and the entirety of the play, a deeper meaning and representation of future generations to behold and take in for their future.  

How will I structure this performance?

Physically -

     These are the Physical performance traits that I will project:

·         A posture status of shoulders high, knees bent, and a slow walking pace to show the character origins and state of mind (mourning the loss of his long gone friends).

·         Slow hand gestures to show the old age that is suddenly dawning of him (he is only in his middle ages and old age is suddenly hitting his body and saying “it’s time to give up”).

·         Slow and creepy facial expressions, all the more to back up his old age and his perverted attitude towards women.

Vocally -

     These are the Vocal performance traits that I will project:

·         A gruff vocal tone, to project his old age and bumpy roller-coaster filled journey that has brought his life to this.

·         A near silent and slow pace, though this I can really show the audience ‘Jerry’ is calculating his speech (thinking what he ought to say next) even when he changes the subject.

·         A change of pitch and volume when the monologue draws to an end, especially on the line: “I see ‘em now me old friends,” to really express the sadness of this character.  But as the monologue ends: “F***ing hell who’s spoiling life,” I want to indicate a sense of anger and frustration, to give my scene an ambiguous ending, giving the audience the opportunity to ask themselves “was that a good or bad character?”  

 

Previous Characterisations

     When analysing this character I looked to what other characters on stage or screen and inspire me to make my performance all the more convincing and intriguing.  Through my research I have come across three particular characters who I believe have a significant reflection/similarity to the character of ‘Jerry’.  If it is in the character’s physicality, origins, or vocalisation it has inspired me to bring ‘Jerry’ to life as intended.  These characters are:

1.      ‘Scaramouche Jones’ from ‘Scaramouche Jones’ by Justin Butcher – One feature that appealed to me about the similarities between ‘Jerry’ and ‘Scaramouche Jones’ was their origins.  Both characters have been through a lot and have seen many things and both have the sense of a tragedy.  The only difference is that ‘Scaramouche Jones’ uses his tragedies as way of entertainment and comic relief for others to behold.  But I do get the sense that ‘Scaramouche’ also has moments of complete break downs and mourns his losses, this is where I think the strongest similarity is.  ‘Jerry’ spends the majority of his time, both on and off stage, mourning his loss of friends and family.  But I do get the sense that he spends his social time hiding his pain to appeal to others, the only difference is he isn’t doing it as a clown, he is doing it to gain new friends and lovers.  So together ‘Jerry’ and ‘Scaramouche Jones’ share a tragedy in their origins story, and they share the ability to hide their emotions to attempt to bring about a better future for themselves.  

2.      ‘Grand Maester Pycelle’ from HBOs TV Series ‘Games of Thrones’ written by George R. R. Martin – While ‘Pycelle’ and ‘Jerry’ have very different qualities, in that ‘Pycelle’ is the grand Physician in his capital city and ‘Jerry’ is not I find they have many similarities vocally and objectively.  Vocally I see that ‘Pycelle’ is a weary old man and strongly considers what he is about to say.  This is something I really want to project in my performance as ‘Jerry’, the only difference is ‘Jerry’ does not exaggerate that his is an elderly man.  But objectively both character share a creepy passion towards younger women.  On screen audiences see ‘Pycelle’ enduring sexual activities with women and proceeds to show his perverted and creepy actions towards them, in a way believes that women are only there for his pleasures.  In some ways I believe that ‘Jerry’ would have the same affections.  Not in the sense that he is only attracted to women because he believes they are there for sex, but in the creepy fashion that he cannot take his eyes off the really good looking women and cannot stop his mind from wondering.  So I find ‘Pycelle’ and ‘Jerry’ share the same vocal traits and attitudes towards women.

3.      ‘Edith’ from ‘13’ by Mike Bartlett – Now this character I believe has the closest similarities to ‘Jerry’.  ‘Edith’ is at an old age and finds she is incapable of managing the ever changing attitude of the world around her.  Although ‘Edith’ isn’t lazy as such she is slow in processing what she is to do and what the consequences of her actions are.  But I think that is a strong similarity to ‘Jerry’.  ‘Jerry’ too is at an age where he is incapable of managing and accepting the ever changing society around him.  Plus he does not put one hundred percent of his mind towards his actions, thereby suffering the consequences.

     I stand by in stating that these three characters are the most similar to ‘Jerry’ and have inspired me the most to bring him to life on stage.  In my main performance I hope to make the slightest of references and give that relevance and similarity nearly obvious to audience members who know the other characters and can instantly relate and like the character of ‘Jerry’ because of these slight similarities.

 

Personality

     To conclude, what do I think summarises ‘Jerry’s’ personality?  Through this understanding of the character and the script, I believe these five points summarise ‘Jerry’s’ personality.  These points are:

1.      Energetic – When picturing ‘Jerry’ at first I imagined him to be a younger man with minor areas of momentum and energy within his actions.  But as I progresses in the rehearsal and blocking processes and saw him as an elderly man I still stand by thinking of him as energetic.  In his mid-fifties the character is still at an age where he has energy and is capable of doing physical activities.  Except where we find the character in the script he is in a lazy state and gives the impression that he isn’t capable of doing any physical activity what so ever.  But I’d like to imagine that there is still hope for this character having an energised future.

2.      Engaging – While complex and layered I find there is a sense of engagement with ‘Jerry’ that I wish to bring forth in my performance.  When reading the script I feel an engagement particularly towards his gestures and thoughts towards society and the past, more to that his past.  It is interesting to have the views of an elderly man in real life, but to have it from this character in this world makes it all the more interesting to see what he sees of how the world has changed.  This is something I serious would like to bring to the character, so I can make both my character and my performance all the more memorable for the audience.

3.      Social Outcast – ‘Jerry’ is ‘ROAD’s’ perfect example and representation of a social outcast in this dark depiction of the world.  I find that ‘Jerry’ is covered in fear.  Fear that he will fall again.  Fear that he will never find a friend or a lover again.  Also the fear that he is no longer of any use to the world.  “So horrible for me and so complicated for me.  And being poor and no good, no use.”  I think this line summarises his social out-casting as it summarises why he wouldn’t dare step out his own doors.  Believing he will have no purpose and will be instantly pushed aside.  This really enhances my engagement with the character as I do pity him, and this is what I wish to bring forth towards the audience, showing more sorrow and less disliking to the character.

4.      Pervert – This comes through his actions, gestures and thoughts towards the opposite gender.  In this monologue we do get the strong sense that he is/or was a sexist man and still has an attitude towards women.  Particularly when he has an origins story where the love of his life left him.  This only enhances his slight hatred towards women.  But the perverted side to it comes from his desire to seek a new lover.  By this he spends almost all of his time in his local pub staring at the women hoping to get attention and perhaps a future.  But it all fails for him, as he doesn’t understand the next generation of women and falls to being the local creep.

5.      Tradition – ‘Jerry’ very much likes to keep in tradition.  Not only did I receive this from his old traditional attitude towards the gender roles back before World War II but he has a very tradition with himself.  In his scripted actions he is very organised with his clothing preparations, I think I could physically project the traditional manner within him show his organisation skills.  Plus when it comes to him leaving the house I think I could also show two meanings.  Firstly, he doesn’t like the new generation’s attitudes and manners and he strongly believes it is out of tradition for all youth groups.  Secondly, he keeps to his own tradition of not going out unless there is an important reason for leaving the house.  All the more bringing the character we see on stage to life in an unsecure manner that can be seen as both unhealthy and unnatural for this man.

     I find that all this traits, emotions, themes and origins that I will bring to life on stage will help me vastly to bring my character ‘Jerry’ to life.  In a style that is to mine and everyone’s liking, in our performance of Jim Cartwright’s ‘ROAD’.