STOP explaining yourself. SHUT UP and act
Final Statement of Intention
Devised Drama Outline
"We have decided how sad it is for other people that they can not fully appreciate our genius. But we hope that the book will help them to do so a little, though no one could fully appreciate us" Said in audience, open body language and said in a superior tone with a slight English accent, hinting that this is an image of Juliet.
-BREATH- Stand up, now as character of Pauline. Respond to questions as if being asked by a Judge.
Q. Who assaulted your mother?
A. I did.
Q. Why?
A. If you don't mind I won't answer that question.
Q. When did you make up your mind to kill your mother?
A. A few days ago.
Q. What did your mother say when you struck her?
A. I would rather not answer that.
Q. How often did you hit her?
A. I don’t know but a great many times I imagine.
Q. What did you use?
A. A half brick inside the foot of a stocking. I took them with me for the purpose. I had the brick in my shoulder bag. I wish to state that Juliet did not know of my intentions and she did not see me strike my mother. I took the chance to strike my mother when Juliet was away. I still do not wish to say why I did it.
Pacing up and down, stop and stare above the audience to say "I still do not wish to say why I did it"
-BREATH-
Write HATRED on the chalk board. "I rose early and helped Mother in the garden this morning. I feel very keyed up as though I was planning a surprise party, everything is falling into place beautifully and the happy event is to take place tomorrow afternoon. Deborah rang and we discussed the murder fully. We have decided to use a brick in a stocking rather than a sand bag." Begin hitting diary against the ground slowly. "So the next time I write in this diary, mother will be dead. How odd, yet how rather pleasing." The hitting diary against ground gets more and more intense, as if Pauline is really hitting her mother. Step back with diary on the ground. "The next time I write in this diary, mother will be dead."
- BREATH-
Turn around fast and grab chalk off the floor, begin to write CONTEMPTUOUS AND CRUEL on the chalk board as if I am writing in the diary. Spot Juliet in the empty chair in the audience. "I thought it was a good idea...one that you would like..." etc portraying a sulky element of Pauline in this moment.
Thought change into affectionate, move away from board towards Juliet "don't you want us to be happy...don't you want to be with me"
Snap to angry, back to board. "This is what we need...I didn't think YOU'D be scared."
"Are you upset? Are you upset that it wasn't you to come up with the idea of murder?"
-BREATH-
Slowly reach the top of the chalk board and write BURNS BRIGHT. (music starting at 10 seconds?)"Today Juliet and I found the key to the fourth world. We realise now that we have had it in our possession for about 6 months. *music fades* Everything was full of peace and bliss."
*Music volume increases* happy, delusional fantasy world. Laughing and spinning through signs on the floor. "It was wonderful returning with Juliet...it was as if she'd never been away." See Juliet in the audience, breathe go over to her for a bit. "I believe..."
Backing away "...I could truly...fall in love with Juliet."
-BREATH-
Music starts; 'Court Case' track. Write GREY EYES on the chalk board. Picking up signs around stage random array. Pick up signs one by one
"We have decided how sad it is for other people that they can not fully appreciate our genius. But we hope that the book will help them to do so a little, though no one could fully appreciate us" Said in audience, open body language and said in a superior tone with a slight English accent, hinting that this is an image of Juliet.
-BREATH- Stand up, now as character of Pauline. Respond to questions as if being asked by a Judge.
Q. Who assaulted your mother?
A. I did.
Q. Why?
A. If you don't mind I won't answer that question.
Q. When did you make up your mind to kill your mother?
A. A few days ago.
Q. What did your mother say when you struck her?
A. I would rather not answer that.
Q. How often did you hit her?
A. I don’t know but a great many times I imagine.
Q. What did you use?
A. A half brick inside the foot of a stocking. I took them with me for the purpose. I had the brick in my shoulder bag. I wish to state that Juliet did not know of my intentions and she did not see me strike my mother. I took the chance to strike my mother when Juliet was away. I still do not wish to say why I did it.
Pacing up and down, stop and stare above the audience to say "I still do not wish to say why I did it"
-BREATH-
Write HATRED on the chalk board. "I rose early and helped Mother in the garden this morning. I feel very keyed up as though I was planning a surprise party, everything is falling into place beautifully and the happy event is to take place tomorrow afternoon. Deborah rang and we discussed the murder fully. We have decided to use a brick in a stocking rather than a sand bag." Begin hitting diary against the ground slowly. "So the next time I write in this diary, mother will be dead. How odd, yet how rather pleasing." The hitting diary against ground gets more and more intense, as if Pauline is really hitting her mother. Step back with diary on the ground. "The next time I write in this diary, mother will be dead."
- BREATH-
Turn around fast and grab chalk off the floor, begin to write CONTEMPTUOUS AND CRUEL on the chalk board as if I am writing in the diary. Spot Juliet in the empty chair in the audience. "I thought it was a good idea...one that you would like..." etc portraying a sulky element of Pauline in this moment.
Thought change into affectionate, move away from board towards Juliet "don't you want us to be happy...don't you want to be with me"
Snap to angry, back to board. "This is what we need...I didn't think YOU'D be scared."
"Are you upset? Are you upset that it wasn't you to come up with the idea of murder?"
-BREATH-
Slowly reach the top of the chalk board and write BURNS BRIGHT. (music starting at 10 seconds?)"Today Juliet and I found the key to the fourth world. We realise now that we have had it in our possession for about 6 months. *music fades* Everything was full of peace and bliss."
*Music volume increases* happy, delusional fantasy world. Laughing and spinning through signs on the floor. "It was wonderful returning with Juliet...it was as if she'd never been away." See Juliet in the audience, breathe go over to her for a bit. "I believe..."
Backing away "...I could truly...fall in love with Juliet."
-BREATH-
Music starts; 'Court Case' track. Write GREY EYES on the chalk board. Picking up signs around stage random array. Pick up signs one by one
- why could not mother die
- 45 discernible injuries
- who shall we spare? Insanity
- we do believe we are geniuses
- sentenced for murder- insanity plea rejected
Draft Statement of intention
Pauline Parker.
I plan to have my performance as an episodic structure, starting with the murder as the opening scene. I plan to use Theatre of Cruelty elements within my piece in order to enhance the idea of how strongly other people can influence one’s actions. Possible Theatre of Cruelty conventions I could include in my performance would be repetitive screaming, specific to the murder of Pauline’s mother, and repetitive movement in regards to the brick in the stocking action. The more times the audience watched these sequences; they question WHY I am doing so. The answer will be hinted (not given) as her love for Juliet Hulme.
A major part of my performance will be verbatim theatre. I have read through Pauline’s diary entries and plan to include some of this in my performance to develop mood and form contrast between each different scene.
I intend to portray four key aspects of Pauline Parker’s life and characteristics:
1. Fantasy – ‘Fourth World’
· Being detached from reality
· Love and dependence on Juliet
· Psychotic nature
· ‘Heavenly Creatures’
· Escapism
2. Murder
· The brick
· Diary (verbatim)
· Scream
· Movement sequence?
3. Choices
· Leading up to the murder
· Physical actions during murder
· Choices regarding Juliet
· Strength and overpowering love altering choices
4. Court Case
· Grief
· “Insanity plea rejected”
· Loss of innocence at 15 years old
· Internal struggle
· Separation
Potential use of Epic Theatre. What is wrong with society? At the time (1950s New Zealand) particularly a homophobic society or one that wasn’t familiar with the concept. If the girl’s relationship was properly understood then things may have been contained or avoided. However it explores Pauline’s mind too, not just society around her, showing her confusion and mixed emotions. My performance will be episodic and show the passing of time to the audience and Pauline will be strongly physicalized with symbolic movements.