'Real' Acting

[paulwat]

I must admit that my main interest is Musical Theatre, despite how truly superficial the whole thing can be. I am satiated predominantly by the music and orchestrations, like with Ballet and Opera, they can emphasise the actors actions and 'inner feelings'. I also find immense enjoyment when quality acting and musical talent come together, which I find to be a rarity. This does add to the invested interest in the Character.

So to Plays..

I so really want to enjoy something 'without Tunes', but to date I find they have less realism for me in a strange way. They all seem to be 'acted' in an acted style and projected superficially. To see a play where it seems like I was being in a room where I was witnessing realism or eavesdropping and have a vested interest would be groundbreaking for me.

I appreciate there must be difficulties in replicating something that can be delivered better on TV.

I know, probably plenty of contradictions in my post, but just wondered if anyone had the same feelings of straight theatre or could recommend some material/ productions that could open a well needed avenue for me!

Thanks again in anticipation!

Paul.

[Jan]

Jan 28, 2017 15:24:28 GMT paulwat said:

I must admit that my main interest is Musical Theatre, despite how truly superficial the whole thing can be. I am satiated predominantly by the music and orchestrations, like with Ballet and Opera, they can emphasise the actors actions and 'inner feelings'. I also find immense enjoyment when quality acting and musical talent come together, which I find to be a rarity. This does add to the invested interest in the Character.

So to Plays..

I so really want to enjoy something 'without Tunes', but to date I find they have less realism for me in a strange way. They all seem to be 'acted' in an acted style and projected superficially. To see a play where it seems like I was being in a room where I was witnessing realism or eavesdropping and have a vested interest would be groundbreaking for me.

I appreciate there must be difficulties in replicating something that can be delivered better on TV.

I know, probably plenty of contradictions in my post, but just wondered if anyone had the same feelings of straight theatre or could recommend some material/ productions that could open a well needed avenue for me!

Thanks again in anticipation!

Paul.

You just have to go and see lots, about one time in a hundred you'll get one that is outstanding. Once in a lifetime you'll get one like McKellen as Iago in Othello. But along the way you'll get many partial successes.

[Mark]

It's a shame you missed Love at the national.

I'm guessing Virginia Woolf might be the kind of thing that will suit

[foxa]

Aim for something in a small space with good actors. The stage seats for People Places Things would have been a good bet. For upcoming things, maybe try something at the Almeida ('Ink'?) or 'Yerma' at the Young Vic (I can vouch for the latter being a special, intense experience.)

[wiggymess]

I'd suggest Royal Court

[Deleted]

Jan 28, 2017 16:53:53 GMT Mark said:

It's a shame you missed Love at the national.

Still playing for two more weeks (until 11 Feb) at Birmingham Repertory Theatre Studio.

[paulwat]

Thanks a lot for your tips. I will do some investigating!..

[kathryn]

Jan 28, 2017 15:24:28 GMT paulwat said:

I must admit that my main interest is Musical Theatre, despite how truly superficial the whole thing can be. I am satiated predominantly by the music and orchestrations, like with Ballet and Opera, they can emphasise the actors actions and 'inner feelings'. I also find immense enjoyment when quality acting and musical talent come together, which I find to be a rarity. This does add to the invested interest in the Character.

So to Plays..

I so really want to enjoy something 'without Tunes', but to date I find they have less realism for me in a strange way. They all seem to be 'acted' in an acted style and projected superficially. To see a play where it seems like I was being in a room where I was witnessing realism or eavesdropping and have a vested interest would be groundbreaking for me.

I appreciate there must be difficulties in replicating something that can be delivered better on TV.

I know, probably plenty of contradictions in my post, but just wondered if anyone had the same feelings of straight theatre or could recommend some material/ productions that could open a well needed avenue for me!

Thanks again in anticipation!

Paul.

Interesting that you feel this way about plays, as it's the way many non-musical goers feel about musical theatre!

You've trained yourself to find musical theatre natural, you probably need to train yourself to find straight plays natural as well. There is a reason why they call it the 'willing suspension of disbelief' - as an audience member you have to meet the actors half way. The very best theatre in existence won't work for you otherwise.

[martin1965]

Jan 29, 2017 9:32:59 GMT kathryn said:

Jan 28, 2017 15:24:28 GMT paulwat said:

I must admit that my main interest is Musical Theatre, despite how truly superficial the whole thing can be. I am satiated predominantly by the music and orchestrations, like with Ballet and Opera, they can emphasise the actors actions and 'inner feelings'. I also find immense enjoyment when quality acting and musical talent come together, which I find to be a rarity. This does add to the invested interest in the Character.

So to Plays..

I so really want to enjoy something 'without Tunes', but to date I find they have less realism for me in a strange way. They all seem to be 'acted' in an acted style and projected superficially. To see a play where it seems like I was being in a room where I was witnessing realism or eavesdropping and have a vested interest would be groundbreaking for me.

I appreciate there must be difficulties in replicating something that can be delivered better on TV.

I know, probably plenty of contradictions in my post, but just wondered if anyone had the same feelings of straight theatre or could recommend some material/ productions that could open a well needed avenue for me!

Thanks again in anticipation!

Paul.

Interesting that you feel this way about plays, as it's the way many non-musical goers feel about musical theatre!

You've trained yourself to find musical theatre natural, you probably need to train yourself to find straight plays natural as well. There is a reason why they call it the 'willing suspension of disbelief' - as an audience member you have to meet the actors half way. The very best theatre in existence won't work for you otherwise.

Well said!

[paulwat]

I TOTALLY agree with what you say! Nicely put.

Musical Theatre IS surreal, but I would love to experience realism, to push my buttons.

I just wondered whether it was possible to experience 'realism'' in straight Theatre. In my limited experience of plays, if has come across as 'acting', a different projection or style that is absract to, say, two people conversing in real life over a cup of coffee.

I'm not trying to knock Theatre, but was wondering if others felt they could experience realism, without suspending disbelief.

I suppose that'a why I mentioned TV, where there 'appears' to more realistic portrayals of normal interaction.

Don't know if I'm making sense..

[Jan]

Jan 29, 2017 10:22:36 GMT paulwat said:

I TOTALLY agree with what you say! Nicely put.

Musical Theatre IS surreal, but I would love to experience realism, to push my buttons.

I just wondered whether it was possible to experience 'realism'' in straight Theatre. In my limited experience of plays, if has come across as 'acting', a different projection or style that is absract to, say, two people conversing in real life over a cup of coffee.

I'm not trying to knock Theatre, but was wondering if others felt they could experience realism, without suspending disbelief.

I suppose that'a why I mentioned TV, where there 'appears' to more realistic portrayals of normal interaction.

Don't know if I'm making sense..

Only the very best ones convince as "real" - McKellen as Iago was totally real and it was as if everything was actually happening naturally - only at the interval did it suddenly occur to me "Wait ... I know how this ends". That is rare though.

[martin1965]

You are so glass half empty Jan! Wonder why you still bother going. If you love theatre surely there has to be more to it than hoping that you get a once in a lifetime experience?

[crabtree]

Come to Manchester and see a play at the Royal Exchange. It is sometimes a shock to see hundreds of people staring back at you across the stage, and to have mainly floor and furniture as the set (not always), and yes it does take the willing suspension of disbelief, but it does make it more of a shared experience. You enjoy the artifice and become part of the unique event. Actors love that theatre as it is so intimate and so raw, and the acting cannot become over the top.

[paulwat]

Jan 29, 2017 12:26:29 GMT crabtree said:

Come to Manchester and see a play at the Royal Exchange. It is sometimes a shock to see hundreds of people staring back at you across the stage, and to have mainly floor and furniture as the set (not always), and yes it does take the willing suspension of disbelief, but it does make it more of a shared experience. You enjoy the artifice and become part of the unique event. Actors love that theatre as it is so intimate and so raw, and the acting cannot become over the top.

That is interesting. I read reviews of Streetcar with Maxine Peake and thought it might tick quite a few of those boxes! Unfortunately, it was late on my radar and all dates were FULLY booked. Need to be on the ball!..

[Deleted]

Sorry to be so late in replying but the light bulb has only just now switched on in my head.

For absolutely naturalistic acting, I recommend The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family by  Richard Nelson which is visiting the Brighton Festival from New York's Public Theater this May. All-day trilogy performances on Sat 20, Sun 21 and Sat 27 or spread over three consecutive evenings of Tue 23, Wed 24 and Thu 25.

brightonfestival.org/news/uk_premiere_of_topical_play_cycle_set_during_the_us_election_year_are_first_shows_announced_for_brighton_festival_2017/

[Deleted]

I would second the recommendation of "Yerma" at the Young Vic. If you can't get tickets, it will be broadcast to cinemas by NT Live

[martin1965]

Jan 29, 2017 14:05:23 GMT @honouredguest said:

Sorry to be so late in replying but the light bulb has only just now switched on in my head.

For absolutely naturalistic acting, I recommend The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family by  Richard Nelson which is visiting the Brighton Festival from New York's Public Theater this May. All-day trilogy performances on Sat 20, Sun 21 and Sat 27 or spread over three consecutive evenings of Tue 23, Wed 24 and Thu 25.

brightonfestival.org/news/uk_premiere_of_topical_play_cycle_set_during_the_us_election_year_are_first_shows_announced_for_brighton_festival_2017/

Ooh ta for this! Had seen these on the Public Theater site but interesting they are coming here.
Liked his work at RSC, always thought they must have had falling out!

[kathryn]

Jan 29, 2017 10:22:36 GMT paulwat said:

I suppose that'a why I mentioned TV, where there 'appears' to more realistic portrayals of normal interaction.

Don't know if I'm making sense..

The thing is, TV isn't realistic either! 'Naturalistic', in inverted commas, maybe...

We're all so used to TV conventions that we accept them as natural and realistic. They're not, though. Everything is constructed, everything is performed, everything relies on codes and conventions that the audience accept as 'natural'.

That's why TV from a different culture can seem so strange.

I bet even the great McKellan would seem 'stagey' and unnatural to you.

If you go along to some of these recommended productions and you don't find them as realistic as others have, don't be put off.

[synchrony]

I am also someone who finds it much harder to find plays to enjoy than musicals, although not so much due to the acting style. There are other reasons why I like plays less. Still....

The best thing I saw at the Fringe 2016 was 'Undermined', a one-man show about the Miners' strikes. It's being performed at Wilton's Music Hall in March. That might be worth a try, although I saw it in a tiny venue which made it feel like this bloke was talking to you about his life; couldn't say if the feeling would be the same in a larger venue.

[MoreLife]

My first suggestion would be that you pick a piece of theatre that tells a story set in the present or, however, in a "contemporary" context, where the characters are nearer to people you could meet in your real life (although presumably there will be something slightly less than ordinary about their story and the way it's told). This should help you relate to what goes on on stage and to the lives being recreated before your eyes in a way that perhaps one of Shakespeare historical plays could not just as easily. Experiencing good theatre with less of a "barrier" would probably help you deal with other material that is more distant from your personal life experience.

Another piece of advice has come from other posts but it's worth repeating, and it's about reminding yourself that it's theatre, not real life and not a scene from a movie... You're expected to suspend your disbelief and accept that things may occur on stage in a heightened form. After all, if you're able to accept that a character just breaks into song to talk about their feelings, why shouldn't it be fine for the same character to give you a soliloquy as if nobody else were in the room?

Please tell us how your next experiences with plays go!