Notes from the Interior

Whilst we’re unable to be in the rehearsal room making a new show, we’ve enlisted the help of some brilliant actors to keep ideas, improvisation and inspiration pinging around the virtual studio, in a format designed for theatre and drama students (and anyone else who wants to) to join in with encounters as yet unknown!

Director Paul Davies will set a weekly challenge based on a passage of text or other stimulus, experienced performers including Mairi Phillips, Neal McWilliams, Christopher Elson and Rebecca Smith Williams will self-tape a short (up to 2-minute) response to the challenge, and then the floor is open.

Play just to challenge yourself, or share your responses with us. Be silly, be serious, be spontaneous, be fearless, be imaginative – be there! Challenge released Mondays on Volcano’s website and social media channels. If you wish, you can send your video response to us HERE and we will make a fully-credited compilation of all responses at the end of the project. Alternatively you may want to use a free file transfer service such as https://www.wetransfer.com. You can respond to any of the challenges at any time during the project.

The first challenge features Eugene Ionesco’s The Chairs!
 

CHALLENGE #1 Week beginning 30/03/2020

“When the Emperor pays a visit, remember the absurd."

I asked the actors to look at Ionesco’s The Chairs. It is a syllabus text for many students.

I imagine that students are required to analyse passages with regard to lighting, direction, set and performance. I asked the actors to film themselves. To be inspired for just 2 minute, perhaps less. The Chairs is a duet. It might as well be a monologue. We are alone in the room even when we are two. We must deal with ourselves - our struggles, dreams and fears.

Challenge #1 The Chairs