Scene Three: Stepping Half a Foot Over the Line

Last night we jumped into scene three which comprises a good chunk of act one. It was our first time on our feet, our first time in the space, and our last night with Martyna.

Scene three is an intricate little thing. We talked about the quality of attacks these women wage against each other and how the underlying yearning to be allowed in and have a shared intimacy, leads to some truly cruel acts.

One image I came away with last night is of Daga and Ma, Daughter and Mother. In the act of pressing their advantage, one steps just half a foot over the line and the other, seeing a vulnerability, beats the first back into a retreat. It’s the quality of that vulnerability I find so compelling. As soon as one woman can get the other to engage, answer a direct question or take a definitive stand, they’ve slipped up. Allowing themselves to be vulnerable in the act of caring.

At about midnight I dropped Martyna off at the Red Line for the last time. I am sad to see her go, we’ve worked very closely together on this script and I’ve come to expect her voice in the rehearsal room handing me edits and cookies at the same time.

But it’s also an exciting new chapter in the story of this piece.  I’ve  certainly gotten my hands dirty dramaturging this show for the last 10 months and rummaging through the text with Martyna, refining narrative and meaning. Now that the actors  are putting all those words and images on their feet, we’ve crossed over into new territory, away from the safety of edits and into the beating heart of this piece.

Pictures from last night to come later today!

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