GO SOLO 2009: NZ Emerging Professional Actors - Solo Work Debut

An array of color and vibrancy mixed with dark, deep themes. This year  the 'Go Solo' season weaved together what some may consider taboo subjects.

As a devised project a wide spectrum of subject matter is to be expected. This years graduands took major risks and in most cases these paid off. Each 20 Minute solo piece ranged from multi dimensional characters to the portrayal of a number of very different people. What is most noticible in this case is the clear character arc that was reached in those who kept the same character.

Tim Carlsens Piece 'Every man and his dog' captured a truthful slice of life experience as a homeless man. Through three days of his life we see him interact and communicate in a moving and intimate way. Tim combined theatre and film by using pre-recorded images to highlight issues in the live action. This in combination with tight sound and lighting cues made for an all round visceral experience. As audience members;we became part of the life that we so often deny exists. This brings a new question to light- How can we use what we see in theatre and apply it?

Sophie Lindsays piece 'La piece de musique' took a clear risk. She chose to portray a teenage girl and an older woman. These two characters physicality's being so drastically different would bring any actor to their knees. This did not come across in a clear, truthful way as the transitions and difference in the two characters were not substantial. It was unclear as to which chracter she was portraying at any given moment. Within this confusion the character arcs and the narrative were lost as it was a struggle to keep up with. Although an actor in any show wants to portray their best assests- Does portraying a number of characters truly explore the narrative and allow the audience to be integral to the action?

It was clear that each piece was a result of alot of research and exploration of working questions. It is obvious that these emerging professionals will be a force to be reckoned with when they hit the industry in 2010.

Go Solo 2009 was directed by 2007 Toi Whakaari acting graduate Sophie Roberts (Blood Wedding, Wolf's Lair, Angels in America and Streetcar Named Desire) and Toi Whakaari's Senior Voice Tutor, D'Arcy Smith.

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