I would've loved to have it taped. I think that was mentioned once when the show was first proposed, but since I hadn't heard anything else about it since, I assume it wasn't (or, as is also possible, that I wasn't paying attention). I should've asked.
In retrospect, most of what I wrote above only coalesced fully in my mind by the time of performance - in rehearsals, I think I tended to play him as pissed off from the beginning of the play, because it's very natural to see the lines that way in the cut-down script; I did always manage the hurt to come through during his "Prick us, do we not bleed" speech, which is at about the halfway mark, but he started out already as fairly ugly, IMHO. And I actually want to rescind part of what I wrote above; I'm glad I played him the way I did, and I'd love to see the performance, if nothing else, to see how accurately I remember it. I suspect my memory is being selective in places.
I did change a couple of small bits during the performance that I hadn't done before. During the trial, I pulled the knife out, earlier: "....so do I answer you." (pull out knife, gestures it at Antonio) "This pound of flesh, which I demand of him, is *dearly* bought" (thinking of his personal losses, voice quivers a bit on "dearly") "'Tis mine, and I will have it."
A few lines later, some, Gratiano, I think, shrieks at me. Shylock's response: "'TIl thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, thou but offendest thy lungs to speak so loud." In previous rehearsals I tended to shout the line angrily, or toss it back dripping with sarcasm (my natural state :) ). Instead, in the performance, I was already sharpening the knife (as is clear by his and Bassanio's previous lines), so I instead tossed the line off very lightly, almost indifferent while keeping most of my focus staring at the knife, seemingly more concerned with the condition of the blade than the life I was about to extinguish. So many ways for him to be spiteful at that moment, and I liked varying them over the course of the scene.
And actually, my favorite moment came at the end; as Shylock begs to leave, I had already sunk to my knees. I crawled to the knife, which I'd thrown down in a moment of frustration when I realized I'd been thwarted, and, as I was leaving, delivered his final line, "I am not well" while walking off, again staring intently at the blade, but for a very different purpose this time. I think Shylock might contemplate doing something to himself once he's offstage. (Of course, as a final insult, the remainder of his estate goes to Jessica and Launcelot after his death; perhaps they'll be getting them much sooner than they expected). I have no idea if it played that way, or if it just looked weird. I really wish I could see a playback.
Thanks! You've said it before, but I'm happy to hear it again :)
Similarly, regardless of how many times I've said it, I really can't thank you enough for the opportunity to play this part, and for getting to do Shakespeare in SC with you guys.
Also, I don't think I said how much I enjoyed your performance. You and Neiry played so well off each other, and I loved the unsupported clap you gave after The Quality of Mercy - an absolutely brilliant bit of humor in the midst of all that tension.
Out of curiosity: You mentioned the resurfacing of the acting bug (I'm convinced it's a strain of malaria, in the sense that, once you contract it, it never leaves you :)). Is there any possibility you could audition for SCS, or does your position preclude you from being on stage as well?
In retrospect, most of what I wrote above only coalesced fully in my mind by the time of performance - in rehearsals, I think I tended to play him as pissed off from the beginning of the play, because it's very natural to see the lines that way in the cut-down script; I did always manage the hurt to come through during his "Prick us, do we not bleed" speech, which is at about the halfway mark, but he started out already as fairly ugly, IMHO. And I actually want to rescind part of what I wrote above; I'm glad I played him the way I did, and I'd love to see the performance, if nothing else, to see how accurately I remember it. I suspect my memory is being selective in places.
I did change a couple of small bits during the performance that I hadn't done before. During the trial, I pulled the knife out, earlier: "....so do I answer you." (pull out knife, gestures it at Antonio) "This pound of flesh, which I demand of him, is *dearly* bought" (thinking of his personal losses, voice quivers a bit on "dearly") "'Tis mine, and I will have it."
A few lines later, some, Gratiano, I think, shrieks at me. Shylock's response: "'TIl thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, thou but offendest thy lungs to speak so loud." In previous rehearsals I tended to shout the line angrily, or toss it back dripping with sarcasm (my natural state :) ). Instead, in the performance, I was already sharpening the knife (as is clear by his and Bassanio's previous lines), so I instead tossed the line off very lightly, almost indifferent while keeping most of my focus staring at the knife, seemingly more concerned with the condition of the blade than the life I was about to extinguish. So many ways for him to be spiteful at that moment, and I liked varying them over the course of the scene.
And actually, my favorite moment came at the end; as Shylock begs to leave, I had already sunk to my knees. I crawled to the knife, which I'd thrown down in a moment of frustration when I realized I'd been thwarted, and, as I was leaving, delivered his final line, "I am not well" while walking off, again staring intently at the blade, but for a very different purpose this time. I think Shylock might contemplate doing something to himself once he's offstage. (Of course, as a final insult, the remainder of his estate goes to Jessica and Launcelot after his death; perhaps they'll be getting them much sooner than they expected). I have no idea if it played that way, or if it just looked weird. I really wish I could see a playback.
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Similarly, regardless of how many times I've said it, I really can't thank you enough for the opportunity to play this part, and for getting to do Shakespeare in SC with you guys.
Also, I don't think I said how much I enjoyed your performance. You and Neiry played so well off each other, and I loved the unsupported clap you gave after The Quality of Mercy - an absolutely brilliant bit of humor in the midst of all that tension.
Out of curiosity: You mentioned the resurfacing of the acting bug (I'm convinced it's a strain of malaria, in the sense that, once you contract it, it never leaves you :)). Is there any possibility you could audition for SCS, or does your position preclude you from being on stage as well?
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