The day we had worked so hard for had arrived, and we were all so excited. Tech day came and went, and was extremely successful, however with my part being unable to be put to full use it gave me a chance to focus on the proxemics and the choreography of the show.
Tech day (Odonnell, 2017).
Props galore! (Nixon, 2017).
This was very useful as this way I could take on the role of an audience member when I didn’t have dialogue and give movement directions accordingly to others on stage, particularly with the more structured scenes. After having a ‘props day’ at mine and Emily’s house Sunday to finalise some of the more handmade props for our show including the cakes, we all left on a high and ready to show our performance to the people of Lincoln and beyond!
The creation of George on props day (Nixon, 2017).
Show day came, and in true style I consumed 3 bananas in the morning, as apparently its supposed to stop you from being sick. With our performance being entirely post dramatic, it has a huge element of self-awareness via the audience and the actors. The world of the show does not exist, as the stage becomes part of reality. This is the common thread we had throughout our show, and was highlighted through each fragmented scene. During the show of Exit This Way, we gained laughs in places we didn’t expect, which was incredibly heart-warming and made me feel like all our blood sweat and tears were worth it. The comedic approach we took was popular, and the DIY theatre influence we used throughout our piece was very well received. Yes, a few minor hitches happened, but if I’m honest they added to the comedic effect and whilst on stage we collectively realised this and played on it.
Game show featuring cake (Odonnell, 2017). Unenthusiastic Ella (Odonnell, 2017).
Ella on her bike (Odonnell, 2017).
To continue this show on tour past the depths of Lincoln University, we would need to seriously consider our staging and props. The amount of props we have would be unmanageable to take on tour. However, with the vast majority of these being homemade and and having a DIY feel, these could be easily remade in a day and throw away to and from each place. We would need to gain funding from Arts Council, and in order to do so, their policy regarding sustainability would result in us needing to do this to achieve funding.
Even though the Banana technique did not work, and I was in the most pain I think I’ve ever been in, I’d do it all again in a heartbreak for these 9 talented, incredible individuals. Fragment Theatre Company has given me the best memories of my final module at Lincoln University, and for that I will be forever thankful. This is only the beginning. ‘What a crazy few months. There’s been laughter, arguments, tears, fun, water fights at 2pm, food, alcohol, a missing pip, props, injuries and bloody hard work but what we’ve achieved will never been forgotten. I am so honoured to have shared the stage with such amazing people and to have been guided through by an outstanding production team. I love you all, always’ (Jarrold, 2017).
Fragment can celebrate too (Chattaway, 2017). Cake for likes (Nixon, 2017).
the beginning of Fragment (Rowan 2017).
Fragment poster (Nixon, 2017).
Work cited:
Artscouncil.org.uk. (2017). Our mission and strategy | Arts Council England. [online] Available at: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/our-mission-and-strategy [Accessed 29 May 2017].
Chattaway, A. (2017) Fragment can celebrate too.
Jarrold, R. (2017).
Nixon, E. (2017) Cake for likes.
Nixon, E. (2017). Props galore!
Nixon, E. (2017) The creation of George on props day.
Nixon, E. (2017) Fragment poster.
Odonnell, S. (2017). Game show featuring cake.
Odonnell, S. (2017). Ella on her bike.
Odonnell, S. (2017) Tech day.
Odonnell, S. (2017). Unenthusiastic Ella.
Rowan, B. (2017). The beginning of Fragment.
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