WEEK 3: Taming Rehearsals

BY KATRINA SPREYER

Rehearsal 5:

In this rehearsal I helped with one of the first scenes between Katharina and Petruchio. I helped the Katharinas' to understand and grapple with the text and together we thought of ways to present the meanings within the text through movement. I was really excited when I saw Filiz’s directing of that scene, as she focused on how to physicalise the text through action creating another meaning to the text. The physical violence inflicted upon Katharina acts as another layer to the message and meaning within the text. It is interesting because the text of Petruchio juxtaposes with the action he inflicts upon Katharina. When he says, ‘O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt’, it creates an ironic comedy for the audience who have just witnessed his physical violence upon her; the cause of her limp. However the physical violence upon Katharina also triggers sympathy towards her character, and thus I feel, as an audience, emotion towards her character. It also triggers ideas of obedience in the sexes, posing the idea that all women should be obedient to their male superiors/husbands. The physical energy required for this scene was really impressive and the actors proved their abilities through their actions. Filiz also choreographed the physical violence so it was safe to perform without the awkwardness that sometimes can manifest itself in such stage combat, while still proving an effective response for the audience.


Rehearsal 6:

Today we finished rehearsing the whole play!! Yaaaayyy!! So we have done a whole run through.
It has gone really quickly but we are working really hard. The three Katharinas' and Petruchios' are proving really effective as their characterisations are truly developing. By using three performers for the role Petruchio and Katharina, the action and message within the text is multiplied by three. It also allows the audience to truly understand and visually see the different characters within Katharina and Petruchio. Sometimes characters can run flat, and the dynamics of characters become one dimensional.

By using three performers for the main characters, we are able to utilise their bodies to inhibit each characteristic found in the characters.
In Katharina, the anger and violence are separated, which gives depth and exploration into the character of Katharina as to what triggers her to be angry and what triggers her to be violent. The sweet Katharina balances the other two out.
In the character of Petruchio, the violent Petruchio shows the irrationality of his character, particularly expressed in his treatment of the servants; such as his stricking of Grumio. The manipulative Petruchio on the other hand shows how his character has power over Katharina, and brings to question the power of men over women.