Sarah

__ How 'Ruby Moon' as a performance differs from 'Ruby Moon' as a text? __ § In terms of the __dialogue__ in 'Ruby Moon' the text and performance matched up almost 100%. The only recognizable change in the performance was in Scene 5 with Veronica Vale, only half of her song was sung. The director chose to only incorporate half of Veronica’s song, because the other part of it was "boring", not necessary important and would detract focus from the audience. If the entire song were to be sung, over 3 minutes of singing would be unsuitable. § In the final scene before the Epilogue, Cameron chose to use a blackout to separate the previous 10 scenes from the final chapter in the Epilogue although the director didn’t see for it to be necessary. By the end of scene 10, the audience are already fully aware that Ray and Sylvie are playing the various characters so there is no need for Professer Ogle to switch characters off stage. If the blackout would have occurred, it would have looked disjointed, and the director just wanted it to flow unlike Cameron. § One of the __props__ mentioned in the text is a rocking horse, however the director didn’t incorporate this into the performance because then she would have had to establish a means of it rocking itself and this was all too complex for such a small theatre company. § In relation to the __sounds__ in ‘Ruby Moon’ the text and performance were all pretty much the same. § The director’s interpretation in relation to the __overall setting__ differed quite significantly to Matt Cameron’s. Similar images were: armchair, telephone with answering machine, coat stand with various garments and a street lamp. The images the director chose not to incorporate included: rocking horse (as stated), blood-red velvet curtain and the image of “bare branches of blackened trees”. Instead of a back drop of red velvet and blackened tree’s, Jessica Tuckwell (the director) chose to place 6 doors, representing each of the 6 neighbours Ray and Sylvie visited in the search to find their missing daughter Ruby Moon. Basically, the script had more external setting and the performance had more of an internal setting. § A point of question in the performance was, why did Veronica Vale take away the Ruby mannequin? In questions and answers, it was discovered that she was the one to take the mannequin away because she was annoyed at Ray because she didn’t get more than what she wanted from him. She also seemed like the most “normal” character to move the mannequin away from under the street lamp.

BLEAK HOUSE discussed the issues of ‘life’ and was an exceptionally entertaining monologue told through the eyes of an emotional and unstable woman. Claudia Carroll was able to entertain the audience and used several elements of drama to convey a convincing and enjoyable performance. The issue of ‘life’ was discussed and humour was used as the character went through her day and her thoughts regarding life’s many questions. The first impression we got of Carroll’s character was shown through her costume. Tattered, bland clothing, and ruffled hair portrayed the characters ‘status’ or place in society - an unstable woman quite possibly suffering some mental disorder. Carroll didn’t utilise her space and was confined to one spot on the stage and used small movements (fidgeting, rocking, fast movements). This was done to ensure that the audience paid more attention to what she was saying rather than her movements and actions, although some fast movements with her hands shows her fragility and state of mind. The character spoke rather quickly which added to the humour of the performance. She did this to build up a climax and gain a tension between herself and the audience. The issues raised by the character really made the audience think and this enforced the dramatic meaning in the monologue. ABSOLUTELY LOVED this monologue and thought that Claudia Carroll did a fantastic job!

Sarah Silvestro