Assignment 6 - Weiran Liu

Our group performed the scene where Cecily and Gwendolen discover the boys' secrets and are angry at them. This scene has comic tension and a lot of situational comedy as well. Eliza Jane captured Algernon's easy going manner and peculiar needs that poke at Jack's nerves. The relationship between Algernon and Jack was quickly established as similar to that of bickering brothers. I attempted to portray Algernon as being a nervous individual through pacing and rubbing of the forehead as a reflection of anxiety. McKenna depicted Cecily as inexperienced in these types of situations through her excitement towards the pursuit by Algernon. Emily showed Gwendolen's poised nature through her eye contact and elderly sister manner towards Cecily.

Overall we stayed in character and didn't get distracted by the audience or each other. We spoke clearly and made sure we spoke loud enough for the audience to hear. McKenna and Emily did well to maintain their British accent- something Eliza Jane and I could have done. All of our lines were memorized and in the order of our script. We could have improved on our transitions between scenes, but made use of the whole stage and brought appropriate props to enhance the scene. Another detail we could have worked on was to turn more towards the audience in certain parts.

In trying to get in character for Algernon I tried to put myself in his situation. I was close to marrying the love of my life, only to have everything foiled by a friend who is nothing but difficult. I had to try to understand his frustration while also depicting his pettiness - such as fighting over the muffins. The pettiness, however, is what added to the comic effect of the scene, and in acting it out I realized it more than when I had read the play.