That said, you won't be surprised to learn I have a few nits to pick, and heading the list is:
DICTION
Gordon can make you loud but he cannot make you understood. It is so important that each of you speak clearly. Put the words in the front of your mouths, don't swallow them. Don't let your voices get breathy in the sad or wistful bits, and no matter how well you think you're saying your consonants, I guarantee you're not hitting them hard enough.
Every note you sing and every word you speak must come from a well of energy, sounded with full voice, even when you're trying to be quiet. Quiet does not mean less energy, in fact, it takes more energy to be heard and understood when speaking quietly than loudly.
And now to specifics - and understand that I'm talking about technical things here, not the quality of your acting. I love the dialect work you're all doing. But be sure not to sacrifice clarity for authenticity. Some of those British dialects can be almost unintelligible! Have you ever watched an episode of Shetland?!
Prologue - I missed "A Nun..." Can you try to make that clearer please.
MISS SHINGLE - you set up the story for the whole show. You impart critical back story and information about Monte's current condition. 8 other relations. The Jewel Box, etc. If we don't get what you're saying, we won't know what's going on. You're doing great dialect work, but make sure you aren't so deep into it that you're swallowing words, and be careful not to speak too fast. The song was great. Make sure the set up matches it!
MONTE: I wanted to see you more excited about Shingle's news and moving to get the paper and pen to write the letter. Hopeful for a new life, here!
SIBELLA: Be sure to rely on counts for your entrance into your Pink number. That will be reliable.
MONTE: In the scene with Sibella here is an example of a tendency to get breathy, drop the ends of words. Let your emotion in the scene communicate via the rest of your body, but use your whole, energized voice for lines and lyrics.
SIBELLA: #3B - note in M. 5 is only 1/2 lower than last note in M. 4. You're dropping too low.
MONTE: Cue line for #4 is Mr. Asquith Jr., NOT Lord Asquith Jr.
JP: Don't conduct! #6 check timing on m. 75-81.
ALL; be sure to vary your angles and levels for sight lines!
JP Chartres is pronounced shart; on p. 29, let Evie exit first, as a gentleman would. We can still see you so stay in the scene.
MONTE: #8 don't swallow your words. Important stuff here we need to, uh, hear.
EVIE: well done on your vocals in #8 !!!!
SIBELLA: #9 Diction! at top of scene and into the song. bleaK, weeK, etc. Just because she's sad doesn't mean she can mumble.
ALL: POP THE CONSONANTS!!!!!
JP: #10 check m. 53---on; careful to think of what you're saying. You said "my wife keeps the estate going" it's your sister....
PHOEBE: great accent work, but be careful not to swallow words or go too fast. Also, the 'o's in Belladonna and Sonnets are as in the word "olive"...not a long 'o' as in dough.
#13f - Brilliant!!!
ACT II
ALL: #15 You're all excited to be together at this funeral and gossip! Mourning is just for show. Don't lose "What a tasteless way of showing off." You have utter contempt for the D'Ysquiths and you're all excited they are hip deep in misfortune. You're loving this! Let's see that energy.
JP #15 A check melody m. 16-20
MONTE: #16 full voice, please. be careful not to swallow last words of sentences, i.e., embrace, place, kiss. The intensity of desire fuels this song.
#17 - DICTION - words in the front of the mouth.
SIBELLA: Don't swallow or speed through "I'm really not." in response to Phoebe's "you're very kind to say so," It's a huge laugh line so really lay it on us.
Can't wait to see it again tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow!
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