Costume and set reaction

My initial reaction of the costume and  set was positive. The geometric box's allow us manipulate the set into different shapes, this is going to really useful as we can create different spaces in accordance to the scene. We can also interact, play and climb on the box's which enables us to experiment with the space more than if we just had a set space. I like how the constant changing of the set reflects the constant changing of power in the play, this create an air of un-certainty and tension amongst both the actors and the audience.

I also really like the idea of the strip lights at the back of the stage. I an idea that i had is that throughout the play the lights could get dimmer and dimmer as it represents the hope in the end of the play. i also think having the lights flicker on and off alongside the shadows from the cages will create an eery broken look.

The lights also look like a heartbeat or sound wave so could be interrupted as the lifeline for the characters.


The large weather balloon is also a really interesting concept because the balloon is constantly hanging over the stage and is used as a projector for menanus it is like a higher power looking down on the city. The fact that it is constantly their hanging over us is also a powerful image.

Discussing the set together as a cast helped us come up with more ideas for example one person suggested having sprayed vines and flowers weaved in and out of the cages. I thought this was a good idea as it shows how any life or hope has died. We also talked about using rubble and rocks to make it seem although buildings had fallen down and add to the effect of the space.

Here are some of the costume designs . This helped imagine what my Character Tomora would look like and  the type of clothes she we wear. I discovered that Tomora is very similar to the men in her tribe. She doesn't see herself as higher than anyone else. She fights for the people.

Sum up the play in line

Corriolanus is the story of a broken city and it's struggle for power.

Initial reaction of Coriolanus

My initial reaction of the play is positive. I found it really interesting how the political people advising Coriolanus throughout the play end up tricking him and ultimately don't agree with his arrogant towards people of lower status. I also think the dynamics of the play are always changing and love how the power is always in the balance as it creates tension throughout the whole play. I like how survival and violence is at the for front of everyones minds, it's a constant battle to fight and knock down the others around you. 

Because their is little to no loyalty within this play between the characters, i found it interesting how Maninaus continually supports Corriolanus throughout the play, i feel like it is the only sign of hope within this story.

My favourite character so far is Volumnia, Coriolanus's mother. I think she is a super complex and diverse character as you never know wether she truly does love her son or wether she just uses and manipulates him in order for her to survive. Her tactics and almost incestual relationship with her son intrigues me as you can read into a lot of what she says. During the class discussion someone mentioned how Volumnia was almost the most powerful within the play as she has a lot of control of Coriolanus, i found this interesting as the play is heavily male dominated yet underlying a women has the most power - like they are all pawns in her game. It made me further question - who really has the power in the play?

Acting within our world

Their has to be a giving and taking between the people. You have to offer the other actors something and in return they offer you something. It could be a feeling and action or whatever comes natural in the moment. It is important to have imaginative reason when creating a character and relationship, you have to a be able to justify why your character may behave in a certain way or have negative feelings towards another character. Be creative in the way you view and interact with the whole cast. Have an opinion. A visceral performance.

A fear of change always lingers throughout the play that is why everyone is so desperate to survive and stay stable in an ever changing world. None of the power that anyone has gained within the play is permanently. The power is in the balance and things could turn very quickly.

This animalistic and primal behaviour has to come from within you, an anchor in the belly. We can't fake it as it creates a un-justified, weak performance. It is important that we connect with this sense of survival in a truthful way and visit these feelings of hate and fear in rehearsals and on stage.

The movement work is going to be more expressive than realistic. I understood that if we are living in a world that is surreal to us and to the audience, why try and rein- act fighting realistically. Creating movement which is artistic and interruptive continues to bring the audience into a world that is totally different to the world we are living in now which is exactly what we aim to do. Expression, freedom and art needs to run through our lines too. Being creative and honest with our words, using all of our body and voices.

What kind of world are we living in?

The play is a post apocalyptic, broken and dark world. People no longer truly support each other and trust is forgotten. Everyone we see can be of use to us. We want to survive so killing, stealing and betraying is a necessity.

We are a fragment of humanity left behind, after the world we know and are familiar with now has died. We are like jagged pieces that somehow fit together, sharp and harmful. If your family are alive you would have had to kill or ruin others to get you there. It is everyman for themselves in this world. Survival of the fittest, that is why any sign of weakness will be exposed.

A key change is the people's value system. Things that we may see as i inanimate are now precious.  Anything you can get hold of that may be of use to you in survival is held higher than ever before.

Here are some pieces of art that i have found which helped me to visualise the world we actors are going to be living in. These images made me begin to imagine what it would actually be like if i lived to see the end of the world or the decaying of London city, how different my daily life would be and how i as a person would cope and react to the changes.