“ I talk to much I know I do, I don’t at home, but I don’t usually get to talk to someone like you Frank.”
Here the actress playing Rita needs to walk aimlessly around the stage reciting the words she has to say. I want her to do this, as this would show her excitement and willingness to learn.
Another key moment in the scene is when Rita struggles to get in to the classroom. This is important because it is a physical representation of the battle Rita is fighting with her subconscious by trying to learn and rediscover herself.
The second scene I have chosen to direct is Act One, Scene Four. This scene differs from Act One Scene One because Rita has learnt the true value of books and how her lack of education has blinded her from the literary world. The audience now sees Rita as a woman in the process of change. I suggest that the actress playing Rita now wears a smarter dress than in previous scenes, as this would represent her as a ‘blossoming flower’ that is beginning to bloom. The actress should talk in a more formal manner and with a less distinct accent. Her actions and gestures in this scene need to be more defined and it must appear that she aware of what she is doing.
In terms of her relationship with Frank and the way the actors interact on stage, the actress playing Rita needs to be more independent and not always relying on Frank for the answers. I think that this would show that she is branching out and finding her own views. A key moment in the scene, which reveals Rita’s character at this stage in the play, is when she says,
“One line of exquisite poetry says more than a thousand of second rate prose”.
Here I think the actress should look at Frank in a way that tells him she is fine. I want her to show him that she is pleased with all the things he is teaching her. Another key moment in the scene is where she rewrites a scruffy “do it on the radio essay” into a masterpiece. At this point I would like the actress to look like she is really focussed on her work. This is important because she needs to show that she can do well.
The third scene that I have chosen to direct is Act Two, Scene One. This scene differs from act one scene four because Rita is now showing her independence and confidence in how she writes and how she dresses. The audience now sees Rita as an changed woman, who has left the safety net that is Frank. In terms of her relation to Frank she should seem to like him more as a friend than as a teacher. This would help to show Rita’s new gained self confidence and intellect. I would suggest the actress now wears a very smart dress or suit and maybe even a hat to signify that she is now mature and elegant. The movements of the actress would need to be deliberate and in line with whatever she is saying as the audience need to see that Rita is now in control. In terms of her relationship with Frank, the actress should now refer to him only as a teacher and not as a friend. I think that this would show her new gained independence and lack of need for him.
A key moment in this scene, which reveals Rita's character at this stage in the play, is when she says,
“O Rose, thou art sick, the invisible worm that flies in the night, in the howling storm.”
These lines will be recited perfectly to show that Rita is using her knowledge of the play intelligently, and proving a point at the same time.
Another key moment is when Rita learns that Frank’s wife left him because of eggs and literature. When frank tells Rita this I would like her to act shocked but curious, showing that she wants to know more about Frank the person, not Frank the teacher.
The final scene I have chosen to direct is Act Two Scene Seven. This scene is different because it now shows Rita breaking away from Frank in all respects. The audience now sees Rita as a woman who is totally in control and well educated. An actress playing this role would need to be able to show this naturally. I would suggest that she now wears the smart clothes without feeling self-conscious. The actress needs to talk in an educated and informed way. The movements and gestures in this scene should be defined and controlled, coming naturally without effort.
In terms of her relation to the character of Frank and the way the actors interact on stage, the actress playing Rita needs to think of Frank as a piece of her history and not really as a friend. I think that this would show Rita’s independence and how she feels ready to move away from Frank. A key moment occurs when Rita is in the exam contemplating whether to start or not. Here I think the actress should act puzzled and stressed but only because she has to sit the exam at all. She knows she can do it and do well. I want her to show that this is proof of her abilities.
Another key scene is when Frank says he is going to Australia. The actress should appear upset here, as if she will miss Frank, although she knows she will cope and be able to succeed without him. This is important because it is the conclusion of the play and leaves the audience knowing that everything will be alright in the end – for both of them.