Art is Power!

I was thinking about how I could condense my love for theatre and the arts down into one sentence, and even after thinking really hard, literally sending my mind back and forth trying to find a provocative and philosophical thing to say, all I could think was; ‘’I think my love for Drama just masks that I probably should be sectioned’’ 

We’re all a bit mad though, us Drama kids though ey? Just ask the head teacher when she walks into the Drama room in the middle of an Artaudian piece about the oppression of woman in a western society and we’re throwing paint all over the walls and reciting backwards pig latin. ‘’Very nice children, erm bit abstract though?’’ Right you are, Miss. Right you are. Of course, that is not the only reason as to why the arts appeals to me, it’s not just that it tames my hidden insanity – the arts has sort of made me, me.

 Infact, I know it’s made me, me because throughout the whole of my high schooling life, the way I have connected and identified myself in the high school community is through the role of a ‘’drama kid’’. I love the breeds of Drama kids that walk the high school corridor, how big and brash we all are, and how jazzhands is like our secret communication, and bowler hats are a sign of our community to be worn with pride. It doesn’t matter what age we are, too or whether we are in class or not – we can just as easily be friends, so long as we are working together, in Drama-like-pride. That’s one of the best things about Drama for young people, I believe. The sense of community that transcends throughout the whole school, how we’re all in this together, not just for the sake of achieving high grades, but achieving new friends, and creating things we can all be proud of. By the time I had finished the course of GSCE Drama, I didn’t even care as to what my grade was – because at the end of the day it didn’t matter, what mattered was the vast amount of knowledge and creativity I had now learned and gained through the course, and that’s something that I never will not be proud of.

 I can’t even begin to even describe the skillset I learnt in all the years I’ve done Drama, from BTEC Performing Arts, GSCE Drama, arts award, productions, my own Drama workshops - all provided me with a great sense of well being.

 Art has conditioned my mind to see the smallest of futile life experiences into infinitely fascinating ones, it showed me how nostalgia and future, beauty and tragedy can intertwine at once, just through the forms of creations. And in those tiny insignificant moments, where I feel like an angsty teen riddled with sadness, Art is there to watch and touch and see and smell, all there for my solace, it exists for the benefit of me. Science and logic has never offered me this solace, evidence and the physicality of reality never interested me, only through the arts have I felt that learning could make me into a better person. Just the mere the existence of art has changed my perception forever.

 So. if the Arts has the ability to effect perceptions, why is it not more encouraged by the national curriculum? Why don't more workplaces take a holistic approach in motivating their workers? Why isn't creativity encouraged as a coping mechanism?

#BEDJ14 Don't Dream it, Be It

So I couldn't post yesterday due to how much of an intensely busy day it was BUT I have many a story from it to make up the lack of posting.

First of all, I went to see Rocky Horror. To a thespian kid who's never really fully felt comfortable with the squeaky clean nature of musicals, but definitely (a little too much actually) enjoyed the idea of them, Rocky Horror is perfect. I watched the film when I was 14, slightly too young to grasp the full picture, but old enough to embrace it anyway - and fell insanely in love with it. Ever since then, it's always been attached to my bucket list.

There's something extremely unique about how timeless it is. The community never really changes - it just gets bigger and better. I think I will like ANYTHING which is defiant of the norms and has means of being empowering, but a musical that does that, is literally paradise. Which isn't also to say, however, that Rocky Horror is devoid of any problems or critique. But I won't focus too much on that, because I had a pretty awesome time all and all.

Of course, I  dressed as Columbia. I have no idea why I have such an intense love for her character, because really, we aren't that much a like. I just like how (even though this is the same for all rocky horror characters, it's just hers especially) she doesn't fit into musicals but rocks it anyway. Her voice is jarring, her moves a little bit too quick and fruity, her appearance striking - Columbia represents everything I wish I could see on stage.  We also both have crooked teeth. Paired with a gold glitter hat and silver glitter shoes, I practised hiccuping mid speech and laughing manically - and of course - feeling fabulous in order to gear up for my role.

The atmosphere is something really, really rewarding. When we first arrived and got out of our taxi, a man behind us dressed as a Frank N Furter said ''You know there's something up when I'm wearing higher heels then you ladies''.  He also rocked a pair of heels way more then I ever could. Everyone there, even before the play had  begun, was just instantly willing to talk to you and make jokes and generally just have a good time. I was a little nervous that it wouldn't be that way,  because obviously, after hearing so much about how much of a  community the show is - I didn't want to be let down. Another thing which was awesome about the audience was the way they enhanced the show's experience. For example, the people sat on our row all sheltered newspapers on their heads like Janet does throughout There's A Light, while other people shone torches and glow sticks. The audience participation was great, there were so many people there that shouted out, some knowing the typical phrases, while other people hurling them out randomly, and of course the beloved Time Warp was everything it possibly could be.

The overall production was also impressive. The casting was literally flawless - each character played homage t the movie portrayal, but added their own fare to it with like a variation in their accent or switching up their movement a little. The obvious stand out was Frank N Furter, who was played by Oliver Thornton. He commanded the stage so naturally, while also making his Frnk N Futer very emotional and raw at points. The only downfalls was Magenta & Brad. Magenta, who was an understudy, obviously felt a little out of place and time. She didn't command enough as Magenta, nor did she have that low, husky demeana - but having said that she wasn't entirely all that bad. Brad's voice was lovely, and his performance wasn't  terrible - It's just his accent slipped at times and his interactions on stage were kinda off putting. In terms of the technical choices, I was personally impressed. Enough colour and interesting set design without it being too in your face.

It's safe to say I gave myself over to absolute pleasure.

Music for this blogpost

The entire Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack.