Week 1 - Russian Movement Theatre

In the first week of the module, we learned about the Russian Movement Theatre. We were taught about the Russian physical theatre practitioner Vsevolod Emilovich Meyerhold  and his teachings of Biomechanics.

Meyerhold created his own theatrical ideas after coming to the realisation that Naturalism and Realism did not interest him anymore, capturing the attention of another well known dramatist Stanislavski. He was then invited to join Stanislavski in an experimental studio in Art Theatre. His experience in the studio made him realise that actors could not meet his standards, so he gained inspiration from American pioneers in modern dance to create a system that enabled his actors to thoroughly follow his direction and style. He called this system Biomechanics.

After learning a condensed history about Meyerhold, we then got on our feet and started to learn some basic Biomechanics. We were briefly told about the acting cycle and its three main parts of Intention, Realisation and Reaction. Continuing from this, we were told in more detail about four separate movements, the words were in Russian making it slightly difficult to remember but fun to learn. Otkas (Refusal), Posyl (Sending), Stoika (Stance), Tormos (Brake). 

The Otkas is the preparation for the main movement of a sequence, started by movement in the opposite direction, like a spring.

The Posyl is the main execution of the intended action, set up by the Otkas.

The Stoika is like a stop-motion pose. It is the completion of the movement and the starting block for the next movement.

The Tormos is the “brake” or “resistance”. It helps the body to move in a fluid and controlled motion through all stages of a movement.

To start our session we did basic warm ups. The stretches did not go on for too long, we wanted to carry on with the lesson and cover as much as we can. We were taught how to execute the four distinct parts just by walking or positioning ourselves as if we were about to run. It took us a while but once we got used to it we were all able to do these movements.

We watched a video explaining one of Meyerhold's etude, 'Throwing the Stone'. It is a sequence of movements that compromises the elements of the four movements (Otkas, Posyl, Stoika, Tormos). When doing the exercise it took serious concentration and discipline to execute it well. We found that once we broke our focus the whole sequence was lost. We were told that if we start losing our focus we had to gather ourselves again and restart the sequence in order to perform it well. The Dactyl starts the sequence as it brings our focus into the performance. It is two claps towards the ground which physically and mentally prepares us for the next movement. Listed below is the steps:

Dactyl

1. Leap into stance (side to audience, facing stage left, left leg forward)

1. Preparation to run (legs bent, arms bent, right arm forward)

1. Seeing the stone (look down and back over right arm)

1. Falling on the stone (right arm up and over – stage right)

1. Lifting stone to the feet

1. Transition of stone from foot to knee

1. Preparation to run

1. Spinning the stone

1. Taking aim

1. Preparing to throw

1. Throwing the stone

1. Identifying the strike of the stone

Turn

Dactyl

After experimenting with 'Throwing The Stone', we each experienced our various strengths and weaknesses. For example, some of us were quick to learn a certain movement or stance whereas others struggled to grasp it. It was interesting to see the different abilities each of us had and it made us aware of one another which is a great way to start a module. 'Throwing The Stone' taught us to have focus and be aware of our actions and physical presence on stage. We were told to practice the exercise at home and show it to the class next week.