Acting notes from an unprofessional- descriptive dialogue, example: Shakespeare.
Descriptive dialogue, as I mean, is when the scene relies on the actor's description. In Shakespeare, for example, accessibility of props or accessories on stage were not the same as today.
There wasn't as much context that we can take for granted today in theatre, there weren't as much sound affects available, general knowledge to understand the play's specific meanings and how a character was supposed to look like. If there was, there is little to no stage notes written in Shakespeare's play except the familiar "thunder" or which characters come in.
Shakespeare instead relies on stories or dialogue describing what's in front of the audience. This is told by the characters to give context for a scene.
But how do we make this sound normal? It's easy to look through big piles of dialogue with really no substance, real tone or character development. But it’s context. And context is the most important thing in any play.
ᝰ.ᐟ example ; Act 1 Sc.3 . Macbeth .
A very simple and easy example of this, one of the most active but a good jumping off point.
. 1. green lines.
I underlined the first two lines, one line for each character, with green. These are meant to represent normal, every day speaking.
Although the first is a rather important line, it, in my opinion, can also be said as an every day line. - Just make sure you are heard!
Context is the most important for this dialogue. It gives you what emotion and underlying tone the characters should depict on a silver platter. Now, in this text: the context is that Banquo and Macbeth are coming back from a successful battle.
What mood do you think they're originally in?
How much do they care about what exactly they say in this moment?
. 2. pink lines.
Banquo cuts himself off, as shown by '-'.
There are different ways to play this, and feel free to adapt this to your acting style! But one of the most relatable is almost a thoughtful tone.
But why would these lines be thoughtful? Isn't he shocked by their presence, he just cut himself off after all!
He definitely is, but who is he addressing this to? Right now, he is serving context. How these people look like, how the audience should think about them. He is the portal into the world of the play.
When characters converse with other characters, they're words are more tonally important and the audience assumes that the words are reactions from the character's point of view.
In some way, the audience assumes that when an actor speaks like they are in a conversation the meaning of it relates more to character speaking than the literal meaning of the words.
On the other hand, when actors speak thoughfully or like they are speaking to themselves- which can still have tone! Imagine talking to yourself out of shock!- the audience are invited to reflect with the actor rather than by themselves. This is strong when it comes to descriptive dialogue, it puts the audience in the character's head- and not only that but their world.
. 3. red lines
Banquo is curious, and bold. He asks the witches what they are, he interacts with them. This should be treated differently, he is acting on his thoughts now.
His tone may no longer be descriptive but dipping his feet right into this new discovery, just like we are now going to watch what is undeniably happening in this world.
----- extra note: (Oh! Also, relating to pink lines. In more descriptive lines, Banquo could be talking as if he's addressing his friend. Gossip like. Like, "did you notice that?". It adds a charming realism if used nicely)
ᝰ.ᐟ finishing thoughts.
Although that was a very simple example compared to some other examples in Shakespeare's writing, the questions used here could be used for any other text.
What is the starting off point? What is the character coming from or feeling before this dialogue starts and how does this change the tone of the dialogue?
Does the tone change throughout the description? Is the character shocked with what they see in front of them, or remembering something vividly? Or maybe it doesn't mean much to them, and just a thoughtful note for the other characters, and audience, to hear.
Is this description leading up to something? Does, afterwards, the character strike up a conversation or decide to act on something.
Is the description personal to the character, or context for the audience? Should the audience reflect on this description with the character or find out something about the character from their world view?
Okay, that's all I can do today lol- thank you so much for reading and if you have any tips feel free to ask or comment! If you value my opinion for some reason you can ask for other dialogue or acting you want advice for!
Good luck :)
