The Play's the Thing!

The Magnetick Lady, or Humors Reconciled by Ben Jonson.

This is the play I am in currently, if you haven't heard yet, and it's with The Outsider's Inn Collective. Yes, it is Ben Jonson, and no, he is not performed very often, and especially this play - one of his last, actually. It's only been done twice (possibly thrice?) in the history of its existence, and never before in North America! So, this will be the North American premier, sounds exciting, huh? Well, I sure am excited. I have two parts, Pleasance, and Dr. Rut (who is JUST silly).

For a quick synopsis of the plot, click here.

This is a comedy of errors (switched babies at birth, oh no!), farcical, and takes many ideas from the Commedia dell Arte style of theatre (which I studied last semester in Theatre History, yay). All of the characters have ridiculous names that represent who they are (again, I say, farce), and none of them make the slight bit of sense...except maybe Compass and Ironside, but they are the only two who are written that way on purpose. And yes, you guessed it, Compass designs all of the action, and plays the other characters like the instruments they are. He's always one step ahead of the audience, letting them in on little secrets here and there. Very similar to the servant character Truffaldino in The Servant of Two Masters, by Carlo Goldoni. So, it should be tons of fun and silliness, my two characters are polar opposites: a stern male doctor (which I think is a great challenge), and a fluffy female obsessed with love.

For more info on this production, including dates and times of performances click here. It will be free, and audience participation is required, we may even be giving one part to an audience member, so show up warmed up! :D

We've only had three rehearsals so far, but I am loving this text. Yes, Jonson is pompous and totally ridiculous, but his text is also quite fun and WELL crafted. You can tell he took a fine toothed comb to his work, unlike Shakespeare. Sometimes this leaves one with the feeling that his plays are too polished, but I suppose it's just a different way of writing.

So far, rehearsals have been all digging into the language, pulling out hidden meanings, and discussing as a group what this means, what that means, and how to show it best to the audience. I LOVE this process, and it’s been so communal, and I’m very happy to meet more people who adore theatre and all that it entails. We're only rehearsing for three weeks, and have just four performances (outside). This is definitely in the tradition of the period of theatre that this play comes from - well, actually, actors back then would've probably had DAYS to rehearse, and we have weeks, so I'm not going to complain. Although, I am a little nervous, but I know we can do it.

We really have the chance to clown around with this one, and I am thrilled to do that. I already have two distinct voices for each character, and I cannot wait to get it on its feet to try some funny physicalization for both. OH, I just love theatre so much, and the director of this production is definitely on the same plain with me as far as wanting theatricality over realism. YES, yes, and YES! Amen! Theatre is meant to be a spectacle! Okay, there's a time and a place for realism, but this. is. not. it. And I am SO, so glad he loves theatrics as much as me. You have no idea. Well, if you've spoken to me in the last six months, you probably have an idea and have heard me rant about realism. Haha! So, I'll stop now.

Anyway, we don't have rehearsal again 'till this Friday evening in a park in Queen Anne, and I am itching to get to it again. In the meantime, I'll memorize my heart out, and enjoy the silliness of Jonson. I hope you'll all come out and support us in our endeavors!