International Performers Village
Journal image
Recently I attended a physical theatre workshop in Malpils, Latvia with the Global Theatre Experience. Russian director, Sergei Ostrenko took us through many fantastic techniques, most of which were from Meyerhold, Stanislavski and Chekhov. Each morning we would do an hour of adapted Thai Chi which was a gentle way to awaken the inner and outer body.
We were always racking our brains to remember the tasks of the day and scribble them down into our books for future use. Above is an extract from my journal with some of the movements from Meyerhold’s Throwing the Stone étude.
Ostrenko talked about one of the keys to biomechanics being the counter-movement or the spring in the body. Before any movement, the body goes in the reverse direction in preparation before carrying out the action. For example when you throw a ball, you draw your arm backwards before you throw it forwards. This is a simplistic example, but this technique can be applied to every single action, even drinking a cup of tea!
After learning this technique I’ve noticed how much more ‘full’ an action is and also the increased awareness of the performer. Plus it can be applied to everyday life, the counter-movement of buying a t-shirt is to work for the money first.
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That is very interesting – I had never considered that an action first requires a reverse action – is this specific to considered actions – like throwing a ball – or to sort of subconcious actions as well – like brushing the hair away from your face? All the same, it has me thinking about body mechanics and being more aware of actions which is a good thing!
That’s interesting, I never thought so much knowledge about biomechanics could be applied to acting, but now that I have read it, I realise it probably is one of the most important elements of understanding a great performance.
Taking it one step further….I wonder if ‘reverse actions’ can be applied to psychological functions? When I think about it, I think that going without hugs for a long time makes the next hug more meaningful, and when you go without food for a long time, the next meal is amazing…no matter how stale the bread is.
Most importantly, when you have been hurt before…you really do appreciate real love even more the next time. Perhaps experiencing the opposite of something can drive more motivation and awareness of certain emotions. Your blogs really are thought provoking!
xo
Lucy, that is an intriguing way to think about the ‘reverse action’, in relation to psychological functions. I agree that experiencing the opposite heightens the intensity of experiencing something again.
That is the exact principle our performance of Six Women was based upon; we would not talk or have contact with anyone for two hours prior to the performance, this then heightened the sensation of finally being touched by the audience during the performance. Deprivation followed by saturation.
I think the audience would definitely pick up on that on the heightened experience of the actors through that. It makes me wonder though, if deprivation and saturation can alter humans if this is done to extremes?
I have never gone through anything like it, but I could imagine if being in solitary confinement for a long period of time, then being brought back out to the community would have an effect on the human mind?
It makes me think of kidnap victims who are hidden away and are then found, and a media swarm saturating the victim with words and questions. I might try to find some articles on this, now you have me intrigued about reverse actions too!
Love to you xo