Today was our first time meeting as a group. In this meeting we planned our upcoming rehearsals for the Summer, did a short research project, and worked through the basics of the RP accent.
My small research project focused on places in London that are mentioned in the script. Erika and I looked into a few places and landmarks that are mentioned and we found some fun facts from the 1950s. The other group, composed of Jonah, Ben, and Rob, focused on historical events leading up to the dates mentioned in the script that might affect the characters and the world of the play. I cannot wait to get started on building my own research to help me better understand Margot’s world!
I plan to start my research, as I always do, with a read through of the script where I write down any questions about references, events, places, and accounts that I do not understand. After that I will go through those questions and find answers that will lead me to new questions and I will move on in my learning circle from there!
Next, we worked on the beginnings of an RP English accent. By our next rehearsal on May ninth, I would like to have a solid basis in speaking with this accent. In order to make this happen, I will spend the next two weeks or so listening to the provided recordings over and over and practicing speaking alongside them. I think that my frequent hearing of this accent during the run of Matilda will be helpful and the Estuary accent that I already know how to do is not too far away. Hopefully having some similar sounds already in my ears and mouth will be helpful as I move forward with this new accent!
In my past work I have been timid to begin accent work. I never want to learn the speaking aspect of a piece wrong and then have to break poor habits. However, I think that for this project I need to dive in with full force and embrace making silly mistakes. Those mistakes will help me to grow!