Hey, I know this is a kinda weird thing to talk about, but I was wondering if any of you had any good advice on acting (more specifically, performing monologues).
Here is my monologue, which I have memorized (and shortened for time restrictions):
No, I am not enjoying the party. Behold poor souls! The fates turn backwards on themselves. There is danger looming ahead. I can see our bleak future. I am doomed to know all of the catastrophes that will befall us, yet no one believes me. Therefore, hark, Paris, Prince of Troy. All is twisted and sour -- and I am not just talking about the fruit punch. Can you not see all of the signs? They are all around us, even as we celebrate. Look there, Hercules the strongest man in the world can break anything, but he cannot break dance. And look here, Hades is the Lord of the Dead, yet he's the life of the party. Sisyphus refuses to rock and roll. Prometheus the Titan gave us the gift of fire, but he's banned smoking. Ares has made peace with the fact that his brother Apollo isn't very bright. Narcissus broke up with himself. Orpheus only speaks the truth, but he plays a lyre. Dionysus is sober but Icarus is high, Poseidon is sloshed and Medusa just got stoned. Atlas is on top of the world. Athena is proud of her humility, and Hermes thinks that hubris belongs on pita bread. Zeus knows everything except how to spell the word omniscient, and Thor -- What the hell is Thor doing here? Midas has the Golden Touch but thanks to Aphrodite he also has a touch of herpes. Medea is offering advice on parenting. Antigone is agreeable. An audience smart enough to understand these jokes is too intelligent to be amused by them. And Oedipus' date looks old enough to be his mother! And what do all these foreboding signs forebode? We are all doomed to die. The Greeks are preparing an attack. They will lay siege to this city and destroy this city and everyone within these walls shall perish by flame and arrow and sword. Oh, and you're out of napkins.
About (I didn't write this):
This funny monologue for actresses comes from a one-act play called, "Irony." It is a comic mash-up of various characters and situations of Greek Mythology.
According to ancient legends, Cassandra could predict the future, yet no one ever believed her. In this scene, Cassandra is at a party in the city of Troy. While everyone around her celebrates the marriage of Paris and Helen, Cassandra complains about all of the ominous signs around her by pointing out the ironic behavior of the party guests around her.
So, this is hilarious to perform, and I enjoy practicing it. But do any of you have any ideas on how to make this sound particularly awesome? In the future I'll be putting up a video of me doing it, if it helps.
I liked it!
hmm... Why not give it a twist and preform this in a depressive, pissed off way... like a dark comedy thing. I don't know this play.
How are you planing to do it?
Well, I start out more quiet, and I build and build with volume until I get to "And Thor-" and then I look around the room to realize people are staring, then start again quietly, "What the hell is Thor doing here?" I build up again like that toward the end with the death part. I'm freaking out, of course, since you know, we're all gonna die.
Read the one act, if you haven't already. It'll help you find the depth of your character. Also, remember to slow down. Don't rush it. Nothing's worse than a monologue that just speeds through in two seconds. Find the timing. Slow down on some parts.
Still think you could do it in a darker way...
Anyways, this thread reminded me of two great monologues.
Johny Deep in The Libertine:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVnvhjENmH0[/media]
And Edward Norton in The 25th hour:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hthimFxKQ0o[/media]
It does not have much to do with what you are going to do. But I hope it helps inspiration wise.
Hoboiam, you're so right on that. The people I'm working with are done in two seconds and it sounds horrible.
Thanks for that inspiration topic, but hey, it's a comedy piece. It wouldn't be very funny if it was dark, would it? Unless it was in a mocking fashion.
I enjoy dark comedy very much. And if well done, people will laugh at very dark things.
For example, like what you said. you start quiet, then you would get more pissed and agressive increasing the volume, then sudenly you would calm down in a "punch line" changing the personality of the character suddenly. Depending also on the punch line, the "change" would be what was funny about it.
Like: "ZEUS KNOWS EVERYTHING EXCEPT HOW TO SPELL THE WORD OMNISCIENT, AND THOR... (long pause, then changing to a low volume with a indignant tone) "What the hell is Thor doing here?"
When it's your performance due?
Oh my lord, that's exactly what I was already doing. x) Haha, I don't know why I didn't get that from your description before.
March 6th, so I definitely have a while to practice.
Rather than performing the monologue like you're building towards panic, I'd remain calm and good-humored throughout, with a subtle undertone of contempt. Act like the entire monologue is the punchline to a joke and that you're sick of being the only one who gets it.
Also remember that since it's a comedy, it's alright to go all out. I'm not saying completely overact, but if you're acting at a 10, go to 11. Just bump it up a bit. And remember to use your space well. Don't just sit/stand in one place using only your upper body. Use everything you've got.
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