- When we are rehearsing we need to think about where the audience will be sitting, so when we rehearse certain scenes we need to think about whereabouts we are positioned performing and think about whether all audience members can see what is going on. So for example for Mildred and Barry, their scene takes place centre stage right, so it is important that we play it out to all sides and to the audience.
- Additionally Jo noted that in Mildred and Barry part 2, where Barry has a little flip out, the build up for Barry's anger was not big enough, so therefore when Barry had his out burst, it did not make sense of flow well enough. Additionally when Barry has said outburst, Mildred's reaction also needs to be clearer in that when Barry is shouting and getting angry there needs to more of a reaction from Mildred whilst it is going on, then when Barry stops there needs to be a moment of pause from Mildred, so that the audience have a small moment of worry as to what Mildred is going to say or do.
Before we met with Jo we decided to alter Mildred and Barry part 2 and have it where Barry has a little outburst at Mildred as she has pushed him over the edge with her constant nagging. So we are going to introduce this idea of Barry eating a muffin which Mildred has ordered herself, but is too engrossed talking about who to send a Christmas card to, that she does not notice that Barry is scoffing it himself. When she realises she makes a massive deal out of it. As the scene goes on Mildred continues to wind Barry up and boss him about to a point where she snatches his drink out of his hand and demands that they leave that second, which pushes Barry over the edge and causes him to have his outburst, thus then Mildred confessing how attracted to Barry she is because of his outburst.
Mildred and Barry PART 2!
Mildred: Come along Barry. Hiya Susan Love.
Sally: It’s Sally
Mildred: Right, can we have a milky tea with 2 sugars and…(Barry tries desperately to order a drink he wants) No Barry, I need you alert, you’ll have a black coffee.
Mildred: Anyway, take a note. This is who we need to send a Christmas card to.(Sally brings over drinks) Thanks love, don’t you be eyeing up that milk and sugar Barry, you’re on a diet. Sally love, can I have a muffin please? Right so we need to send a Christmas card to, the nun on the bus who blessed Lucy as a baby, she’s always ever so nice. And the babysitter who had Joseph for a week, she helped us so much with him. Judith, obviously – she sent us that god awful Christmas pudding card last year (Barry looks shocked) Yes love, I know she’s your ex, we’ll send her that Rudolph card with the fluffy nose. (Barry shakes his head) Oh dear, she has a reindeer phobia doesn’t she? Oh well. Oh and we must send one to that waitress Sandra (Sally shouts correcting her). Oh and Jim and Felicity from Elm drive, their cookies are a Christmas delight! Oh and Greg (Barry looks quizzed) The bin man, Barry! And John the postie and oh I mustn’t forget Dr Nisal… that should do it. (Looks around and Barry has eaten her muffin) BARRY! Where the bloody hell has my muffin gone? Have you eaten it! Oh what a bloody liberty, I can’t have anything nice can I? You are supposed to be on a bloody diet.
Barry: Sorry dear.
Mildred: For goodness sake. Right for the others, I think we should get vouchers. That should be easy. Book tokens are always a hit. And our Christmas letter this year should obviously include the arrival of Joseph’s little angel, though I don’t think we should include your faux pas at the Henderson’s house warming.
Barry: Ok love.
Mildred: It was embarrassing and I’ve kept quiet about it!
(Barry rolls his eyes)
Mildred: Don’t you roll your eyes at me.
Barry: Sorry dear.
Mildred: But we must skate over it. Our letter must be glittering, we must be an example to the family.
Barry: Yes dear.
Mildred: And you need to hire a Santa suit. It’ll be nice for the kids to see the good St. Nicholas up close. Plus we can make you a grotto out of tinsel and coloured fairy lights.
Barry: White.
Mildred: What?
Barry: White fairy lights look classier and if we get twinkly ones, it’ll add a touch of magic.
Mildred: Barry, that was so poetic., I’ll get them out the loft shall I?!
Barry: Thank you, but Mildred, stay out of the loft.
Mildred: But what if I need to put things away?
Barry: The loft is my space.
Mildred: But what if you’re away?
Barry: Leave it in the hall then.
Mildred: But what if –
Barry: Mildred. The loft is my domain. No girls allowed, ok?
Mildred: Ok.
Barry: Good.
Mildred: Barry - I do still need your help though. Myself, Gladys, Phyllis, Margaret and Elizabeth are doing a secret Santa and I thought maybe an egg peeler or fancy washing up gloves. What do you think?
Barry: Sounds fine.
Mildred: Right let’s go Barry we’ve lots to do!
Barry: Mildred! I’ve had enough, I give up! I’m 54 years of age, it’s july. Why are we sorting out Christmas in July? All I want to do is sit here in peace and quiet and chill the fuck out. And if I want a muffin I’ll bloody well have one.
Mildred: (She stands looking very angry) Barry, in all my life I have never ever been so…Attracted to you right now. Take me to the bedroom Barry, make love to me.They exit
I think the audience will enjoy this change in dynamic between Mildred and Barry, as before the change it felt a little bit lacking in something, so I think this will give it the energy it needs. Additionally we wanted this scene to be different to Mildred and Barry part 1, which is mostly Mildred bossing Barry throughout, where part 2 sees Barry stand up for himself. Additionally I think the way in which we end Mildred and Barry part 2, is good, as the audience will expect Mildred just to completely lose her head at Barry for his outburst in the cafe, when in fact she reveals how attracted she is to him, which I think will catch the audience off guard and make them laugh, which of course we want them to do.
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