Audio Ensemble - Post 02

Audio Ensemble Performance

December 2015

     It was in this week that we began to plan the research process for our radio play, ‘Atching Tan’.  Initially it was difficult to find other interpretations of the play, therefore we turned to various other areas of the performance for research that could support our overall interpretation of the plot, characters, and atmosphere of the play.

Gypsy Slang

     After several read through sessions we established roughly what the setting was like, where the characters were, what wardrobe they would have.  But in this session our goal was to establish a visual background giving truth to our interpretation of the Gypsy lifestyle.

     Firstly, the language and accents.  What was this language depicted in the script?  Plus, where the any accents required for the gypsy characters?  

The Language –                         Described in the script as “Romani”, and written to have similarities to the language of Romania, this made us question whether the characters were even living in the UK?  Although in SC3 Page 5 of the script translates the language to her singing: “Honour to you Romani people.”  Plus in SC12 Page 26 John mentions to Lovvie there is an audition for her to attend in the New Forrest.  Therefore all doubts about the play not being set in the UK were pushed aside.  Not only that but we now knew that the language is sung by Lovvie out of respect and honour to the Romani people, by people we can only assume that she’s making reference to the gypsy people.  But we still had a few unanswered questions; how does the Romani accent sound?  Plus, do the gypsy characters need an accent to support their characters?

                                                     Through difficult research we managed to find several clips supporting the Romani language.  The most useful being the video clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP1v_WIH2C8.  I personally found this clip very useful, as not only did I get an understanding of what the language sounded like, but various video images showed more of the lifestyle of a gypsy traveller.  Accent wise, there wasn’t much to support us in this particular video clips.  Therefore we research some more.

                                                     Unfortunately there wasn’t much to work with when researching the BBC radio website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00w1zlr.  Although useful in the sense that we managed to find images showing the recording sessions and the cast in costume, giving us a little idea of what the setting and wardrobe looked like.  Accent wise though, there was no evidence of the original performance to support our performances.  Fortunately there was a clue written the script.  Lines like: “tweetie pie”, “dordie, dordie”, “chavi”, and “ain’t it cushti” hinted to us that the characters have a rather stereotypical Southern England chavi accent.  Therefore that is the accent we decided to use.

     Secondly, the gypsy lifestyle.  Did I find any links that supported my research in getting a decent image of the characters lifestyles?

The Gypsy Lifestyle -               Through our research, as mentioned above we found various websites, video and photograph clips to support our understanding of the gypsy lifestyle.  But, was there anything else we found?  One article I discover really supported the understanding for the age range of our characters and their lives as a gypsy traveller.  Published by ‘The Guardian’ the articule goes into various details, which I felt emphasised the image of a lifestyle on the road: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/07/gypsy-childhood-prejudice-education.

Initial Response to Characters

     Being cast as John in ‘Atching Tan’, I felt a huge responsibility to bringing what I referred to as “the nice character” to life in this play.  Initially I really liked the character.  There are many qualities and distinctive aspects of the character that I can relate to.  Therefore I was obliged to construct an early character profile, to show my early understandings of the character, and take note for future posts where I will make a complete character study and profile.

Name:                                    John

Age:                                        Early-Twenties

Occupation:                         Drama Teacher

Status:                                                Single (unmarried)

Home:                                                London

Hobbies/Interests:               Theatre & Acting

     These character profile notes are based on my initial responses and the read through.  Taking these notes in mind, I hope to soon expand on them is greater detail so I bring enough layers and detail to the character as possible in time for the recording session.

     I also find the character very relaxing when I read the character lines out loud.  I can truly relate to what he is feeling, how he would speak these lines, and what is going through his mind.  Plus we learn in the script that the character is well educated and is from London, therefore he would be well spoken and would have an accent, unlike the gypsy characters.

Setting

     Through various research links we have gained a decent picture in our minds of what the setting for the play would look like, all by reference of the script.

     Firstly, there is the gypsy camp where Lovvie lives.  We know it’s a large field area, and Lovvie, with her family and boyfriend, live in various caravans.  It was this image here that I found extremely reflective of all these notes:

     I found this image to be extremely reflective of a messy environment that it clearly not suitable for to raise a child in.  While, at the same time, inflictive a sense of homely living style for travellers.

     Secondly, there is the market town where Lovvie and her family earn their money.  It later scenes we know that Lovvie and her sister Norah do chows in their caravans, as well as make some money for their parents to keep them living.  One image stood to me in particular was this:

     I was fond of this image because it shows the market life, full of busy people both buying and selling.  Plus the picture inflicts an understanding that this town is clearly not part of a city.  It is more than likely to be in the country side where the gypsy camp is close by.  An appropriate setting for this radio play, and suitable for our understanding. 

     Finally the town centre itself.  We know Lovvie spends time in the market earning money for her family, but what about the town centre where she and John work on her singing?

     I found this image to be the most accurate to how I envisioned the town centre.  In the script it depicts that Lovvie and John rehearse in the town’s church hall.  They also spend some time at the theatre, while there isn’t a theatre in the image I like to image there is one close by.  Plus, like the market town image, we do get a strong sense that this town in located in the country near a gypsy camp site.

     In conclusion, while this week wasn’t very productive, it was extremely useful as we have now gained enough detail about the character’s performance styles and the setting’s environment.  All of which, I feel, will support our performances deeply.