Character Development: Abhorson
Laban Efforts
Although I feel that there are stages throughout the play where Abhorson as a character may fluctuate, I have come to the conclusion that his two main Laban Efforts are Light-Slow and Heavy-Slow. The first effort I feel perfectly physicalized how Abhorson as a character holds a position that weighs heavily upon him and so is constantly affecting his mood and his perception of everything around him, but despite this, he must maintain his composure and present a degree of respect for the authority around him. The latter effort I feel presents the moments during the play where the weight of his position and his acts truly affect him, to the point that he can no longer hide it or present a front to those around him although I feel this effort is more rarely shown.
Costume
I really like Abhorson's costume as I feel that it is not to complex and is simple but still captures and emulates the feeling and of an executioner, a man that does not have a glamorous or attractive job and whose very presence brings a feeling and reminder of death. My favourite part of the costume is how the balaclava possesses the ability to transform into a beanie cap which brings a modern element to the character but still maintains the look and feeling of a Shakespearean executioner.
Character Summary
Abhorson is an executioner, who takes great pride in his job. He looks down on Pompey for being a pimp, considering him to be even lower on the social scale than he is himself, and is concerned that employing a pimp will bring executioners into disrepute.
Lesson 11/4/2017
We began this lesson with the TTA strand coming in and presenting to us our set and their concepts for our costumes. These concepts were presented with drawings and some even had pictures of what were either inspirations or were early designs. The set was in my opinion and in the designers simple but still captured a very 70's/80's atmosphere. It appeared to be based upon an 70's rave scene with an "Acid" poster hanging at the back and industrial pillars holding up the set. I was really impressed with the DJ booth which was stationed towards the back of the set on top of the stage. I also really liked the wooden floor design as I felt that it was subtle but yet captured the rave scene theme very well as it presented a very the element of the race scene that it is not an "official" event or establishment, but rather has a very urban element to it.
This lesson I played Abhorson in Act 3 scene 2. I entered the scene as a result of Provost calling for me so that I could be informed of Pompey being incorporated into the execution the following day. Simon told me to ensure that when coming onstage, I maintain a level of curiosity regarding why I have been called but still maintaining my professional composure. Once I am informed of the decision to involve Pompey I was directed to examine him in disbelief all the while bringing these personal thoughts and feelings to Provost , making the case that he would "discredit their mystery". Once I am forced to accept the decision, I begrudgingly instruct Pompey to follow me back to towards the prison just before Provost instructs me to call Barnardine and Claudio.
This rehearsal revealed to me that Abhorson is a character that indeed possesses his own personal thoughts feelings and opinions about the issues surrounding his own life, he's just limited to what degree he can show them due to his professional position. Although this scene has shown me that he does at time forsake his composure when he feels significantly strongly about something. I have also concluded that Abhorson is respectful of authority and those positioned in higher statuses although he may not always respect their decisions. Once again I feel at times he is torn between the respect and possibly even admiration for the authority around him and the decisions that they make that he feels are made in error he feels are foolish.
Research on the name "Abhorson"
Abhorson is another character whose name has been chosen to suggest what the audience might think of him: it is a mixture of "abhor" (hate) and ‘whore-son' (literally, son of a prostitute - a term of abuse). The provost clearly has a low opinion of him, telling him (in Act IV sc ii) that he is no better than the bawd Pompey - "Go to, sir, you weigh equally: a feather will turn the scale."
Lesson 25/4/2017
I've come to the realization that Abhorson does not hold any deeper feelings or opinions regarding his occupation as an executioner. Abhorson expresses no moral response to his role; he regards it simply as a ‘trade'. For the audience, who see that the well-meaning and effectively innocent Claudio is to receive the same treatment as the debauched murderer Barnardine, this is patently unjust, and Abhorson's role is, therefore, as his name suggests, abhorrent. I thought otherwise before, but I even feel that Abhorson retains elements of pride regarding his occupation,claiming (in Act IV sc ii) that his job is a ‘mystery' (an English derivation of the French word ‘metier'– that is, a skilful trade requiring specialist knowledge).
Approaching the Script
Page Line Fact Opinion
47 “A bawd? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery.” Y
53 “Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; Y Y for, look you, the warrant's come”
Evaluation
I was satisfied by Abhorson's final presentation onstage however I feel that there were two different versions in each performance, both somewhat contrasting. Abhorson in the first performance I felt held a stronger comedic element, this being as a result of his exchanges with Pompey in which I felt that the audience had a strong connection to and expressed multiple times during the scenes. I felt that this was a result of me being fully aware of both my own and Pompey's stage presence and ensuring that I acknowledge them both which created a perfect and equal relationship presented onstage which the audience felt a connection to. However, during the second performance I felt that the comedic nature between Pompey and Abhorson was not served properly as a result of me not being as aware of Pompey' stage presence and increasing my focus on my own, ensuring that the image of Abhorson being "the big bad executioner" was reinforced and that a darker atmosphere was created. Overall I felt that the first performance ensured that the audience had a stronger connection to the relationship presented between Pompey and Abhorson, however I also feel that the second performance more accurately presented the nature of the character of Abhorson, but did not serve the relationship and dynamic between him and Pompey as effectively.
Although I feel that there are stages throughout the play where Abhorson as a character may fluctuate, I have come to the conclusion that his two main Laban Efforts are Light-Slow and Heavy-Slow. The first effort I feel perfectly physicalized how Abhorson as a character holds a position that weighs heavily upon him and so is constantly affecting his mood and his perception of everything around him, but despite this, he must maintain his composure and present a degree of respect for the authority around him. The latter effort I feel presents the moments during the play where the weight of his position and his acts truly affect him, to the point that he can no longer hide it or present a front to those around him although I feel this effort is more rarely shown.
Costume
I really like Abhorson's costume as I feel that it is not to complex and is simple but still captures and emulates the feeling and of an executioner, a man that does not have a glamorous or attractive job and whose very presence brings a feeling and reminder of death. My favourite part of the costume is how the balaclava possesses the ability to transform into a beanie cap which brings a modern element to the character but still maintains the look and feeling of a Shakespearean executioner.
Character Summary
Abhorson is an executioner, who takes great pride in his job. He looks down on Pompey for being a pimp, considering him to be even lower on the social scale than he is himself, and is concerned that employing a pimp will bring executioners into disrepute.
Lesson 11/4/2017
We began this lesson with the TTA strand coming in and presenting to us our set and their concepts for our costumes. These concepts were presented with drawings and some even had pictures of what were either inspirations or were early designs. The set was in my opinion and in the designers simple but still captured a very 70's/80's atmosphere. It appeared to be based upon an 70's rave scene with an "Acid" poster hanging at the back and industrial pillars holding up the set. I was really impressed with the DJ booth which was stationed towards the back of the set on top of the stage. I also really liked the wooden floor design as I felt that it was subtle but yet captured the rave scene theme very well as it presented a very the element of the race scene that it is not an "official" event or establishment, but rather has a very urban element to it.
This lesson I played Abhorson in Act 3 scene 2. I entered the scene as a result of Provost calling for me so that I could be informed of Pompey being incorporated into the execution the following day. Simon told me to ensure that when coming onstage, I maintain a level of curiosity regarding why I have been called but still maintaining my professional composure. Once I am informed of the decision to involve Pompey I was directed to examine him in disbelief all the while bringing these personal thoughts and feelings to Provost , making the case that he would "discredit their mystery". Once I am forced to accept the decision, I begrudgingly instruct Pompey to follow me back to towards the prison just before Provost instructs me to call Barnardine and Claudio.
This rehearsal revealed to me that Abhorson is a character that indeed possesses his own personal thoughts feelings and opinions about the issues surrounding his own life, he's just limited to what degree he can show them due to his professional position. Although this scene has shown me that he does at time forsake his composure when he feels significantly strongly about something. I have also concluded that Abhorson is respectful of authority and those positioned in higher statuses although he may not always respect their decisions. Once again I feel at times he is torn between the respect and possibly even admiration for the authority around him and the decisions that they make that he feels are made in error he feels are foolish.
Research on the name "Abhorson"
Abhorson is another character whose name has been chosen to suggest what the audience might think of him: it is a mixture of "abhor" (hate) and ‘whore-son' (literally, son of a prostitute - a term of abuse). The provost clearly has a low opinion of him, telling him (in Act IV sc ii) that he is no better than the bawd Pompey - "Go to, sir, you weigh equally: a feather will turn the scale."
Lesson 25/4/2017
I've come to the realization that Abhorson does not hold any deeper feelings or opinions regarding his occupation as an executioner. Abhorson expresses no moral response to his role; he regards it simply as a ‘trade'. For the audience, who see that the well-meaning and effectively innocent Claudio is to receive the same treatment as the debauched murderer Barnardine, this is patently unjust, and Abhorson's role is, therefore, as his name suggests, abhorrent. I thought otherwise before, but I even feel that Abhorson retains elements of pride regarding his occupation,claiming (in Act IV sc ii) that his job is a ‘mystery' (an English derivation of the French word ‘metier'– that is, a skilful trade requiring specialist knowledge).
Approaching the Script
Page Line Fact Opinion
47 “A bawd? fie upon him! he will discredit our mystery.” Y
53 “Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your prayers; Y Y for, look you, the warrant's come”
Evaluation
I was satisfied by Abhorson's final presentation onstage however I feel that there were two different versions in each performance, both somewhat contrasting. Abhorson in the first performance I felt held a stronger comedic element, this being as a result of his exchanges with Pompey in which I felt that the audience had a strong connection to and expressed multiple times during the scenes. I felt that this was a result of me being fully aware of both my own and Pompey's stage presence and ensuring that I acknowledge them both which created a perfect and equal relationship presented onstage which the audience felt a connection to. However, during the second performance I felt that the comedic nature between Pompey and Abhorson was not served properly as a result of me not being as aware of Pompey' stage presence and increasing my focus on my own, ensuring that the image of Abhorson being "the big bad executioner" was reinforced and that a darker atmosphere was created. Overall I felt that the first performance ensured that the audience had a stronger connection to the relationship presented between Pompey and Abhorson, however I also feel that the second performance more accurately presented the nature of the character of Abhorson, but did not serve the relationship and dynamic between him and Pompey as effectively.
Comments
Post a Comment