Musings on "type"

[madbaker]

I am trying to stretch myself a bit for this year's GSP commedia production -- having played the role multiple times, Leandro would be pretty easy for me, and I wouldn't need too much more effort to get into Arlecchino.

So I'm auditioning for Capitano. (As well as Dottore.) I'd like to play Brighella eventually, but not this year. Pantalone doesn't interest me as yet.
I hadn't thought about it much beyond "wanting to stretch". Talking Wednesday with goldenstag and aastg, they made the point that it's against type for me. That Brighella and Dottore are closer to my personality than Capitano.

I could be offended by that if I really wanted to, but it's true to the extent that they meant it. I enjoy pompously explicating (a la Dottore) and I've been known to prevaricate. Once or twice. Not to the extent of Brighella, and I'm not the schemer that he is - but yeah, I can see getting into that headspace.

Capitano, on the other hand, is a lot of things I'm not: boastful and extroverted. Cowardly. Quick to anger and just as quick to recoil in fear when challenged. Etc.

That's probably the appeal, and I guess that's why I'm interested in playing him this year. It's a challenge and I'll have to work if I get the part.

Comments

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

The character of Leandro is not me, not by a long shot. But I've played him - and roles like him - enough that I can slip into the part physically and mentally with very little effort. It can still be fun; but it's not a challenge anymore.

It's the actor's equivalent of, I don't know, "Fair Mistlands" for Mists bards? a piece that you can perform, and try to continue to perform well; but you've done it so many times that you know it by rote. It's not as taxing as your latest piece that's a poetry style you've never tried before.