Whale Rider - The Musical

First of all if I were to adapt the book The Whale Rider to the stage I would make it a musical. In my opinion, and after having done Once on this Island there is no better way to express magical realism than with music. The book makes great usage of playing with the readers emotions, something that can be done best with music on stage.

If I were to set up The Whale Rider as a musical I would want a detailed stage. Props and setting would be detailed and look realistic, while the magical and more abstract scenes would be expressed through lights and sound. As I think it would be difficult to make the whales appear and make them look impressive, I would use the digital projection of waves as a backdrop for the scenes with the whales. In addition I would use blue lighting. The whales I would merely show as big shadows on the digital projection backdrop. There would be one actor who narrates all the scenes that involve just the whales and the Gods. This narration would be half sung half spoken, similarly to the song The Sad Tale of the Beauxhomme just without the comedic aspect and with a more serious tone.

The characters I would focus on would be Kahu, Nanny Flowers, Koro Apirana, Rawiri as the four main characters. Other characters would involve Rawiri’s elder brother and Kahu’s father Porourangi and Kahu’s mother Rehua (although she has only  brief role in the beginning I find it important to include her). I would focus the story less on Rawiri's experiences in Australia with Jeff and his family as I found this to be less relevant to the book's main plot. Another reason why I would not include this is because it is necessary to shorten the book in order to make it a play or musical. I would do one song in which Kahu grows up, during which Rawiri is in Australia. This would be the song right before intermission and at the end of it Rawiri decides to go back to his family. For the song I would split the stage in half, one half showing Nanny Flowers and Kahu who is growing up continuously struggling to gain Koro’s attention and affection The other half would show Rawiri in Australia. The verses would be letters that are send between Nanny Flowers and Rawiri. The last verse is a letter Kahu writes in which she tells Rawiri that she misses him.

One theme I would focus on particularly is the blindness that traditions can cause. The main example therefore is Koro’s blindness towards Kahu who he wont accept as successor because she is a girl. To show this I would focus on Kahu’s innocence which is clear for the audience to see but invisible to Koro’s eyes.

    As every musical needs the audience favorite sidekick I would include Rawiri’s boys. They will be a funny bunch not absolutely necessary to the plot but amusing for the audience. They along with others will make up the ensemble. Ensemble roles would include people who live in the city, people from Kahu’s school and the whale helpers on the beach.

I think this book could have great potential as a musical. Singing and dancing could perfectly express the emotions and the magical realism that plays such an important role in the book.

What do we do on this island?

Once on this Island is the musical adaptation of Rosa Guy’s My Love, My Love. I did not see the show as an audience member as instead I actively participated in it: singing dancing and acting. This is the fifth Musical I have ever done in my life and it was also the most challenging one. Having the role of the History teacher I had my own song along with several smaller solos and lines. Singing my own song was extremely fun and challenging. I was quite nervous and this often causes me to tense up on stage. This made acting the comedic song very difficult for me. I believe that the first night was my worst as I was the most nervous and acted less while singing. The two night after I felt better and loosened up quite a lot on stage.

In addition to my first big part, this musical brought other challenges with it. One of which was the singing. The show Once on this Island is very music heavy. There were realy lines that were not sung and close to none that were not underlined by music and spoken in rhythm. Thought I have taken Music classes since over two years, this was challenging. I had to sing more in this show than ever in another show before. In addition the Alto part included some beautiful yet extremely difficult harmonies that I had to learn. Another major difficulty for me was the dancing. Thought I enjoy it very much, I have little previous experience with it. The choreographies were fun but during the first night I had a few struggles as I was nervous, causing me to forget some of the steps. I was brought the the edge of my dancing abilities when another actor felt to sick to be one stage in one of her scenes. Though she had no lines, she had to be on stage waltzing. When she said she could not do it during intermission her dance partner came up to me spontaneously and taught me the Waltz steps. This was an interesting and challenging experience and I hope that few of the audience members noticed my at times clumsy dance steps and my spontaneously put together white costume.

What I liked most about this Musical was that so many people were on stage and actively participating at the same time. If one were to combine Cast, Crew and Pit we would be no less than 42 people involved in Once Upon this Island, which is a big group. Working in a group with this size is often difficult as there is always people that have nothing to do. I can happen that they quickly lose focus, however this was not a major problem in this Show. I am so happy that I was a part of this wonderful performance. I had a chance to overcome new challenges and work with a lot of amazingly talented people.

And always remember: On this Island, we tell the Story

Why I we tell the Story...

Oral Presentation

1. Novel

The story My love, my love, or, The peasant girl by Rosa Guy is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, set on a fictional island in the Caribbean. In the book a young black peasant girl named Ti Moune, devotes her life and love to an upper class boy named Daniel Beauxhomme, whose life she has safed, willing to give up everything for her love to him. A major theme in the book, and in our group adaptation is the theme of false hope. Ti Moune is convinced that Daniel reciprocates her love, and though many try to persuade her of the opposite, she is confident that she and Daniel are meant to be and will be married. However that doesn’t pass, instead he leaves her for a upper class girl named Andrea. Ti Moune is devastated, she waits at the gates of the where Daniel lives, until she is almost starved to death, and is then killed by a mass panic at the wedding of Daniel and Andrea.

2.)  Adaptation:

In our addition we expanded on the idea of the false hope. What Ti Moune feels for Daniel is not just love, it is obsession. Our group wanted to expand on this. Therefore we changed the setting of the book. In our adaptation Ti Moune has gotten in a car crash and has lost her memory.

• 4 characters:
• Gods
• Ti Moune
• Daniel Dr. Goodman
• Andrea
• false hope
• obsession

In our scene my group emphasizes on Ti Moune’s obsession with Daniel. Instead of him being in the car accident, she was, losing her memory. Ti Moune is send into a clinic called: The Antilles Sanitorium. Here she meets Dr. Goodman, who she thinks of as Daniel and believes to be meant to be together with. The characters name Dr. Goodman comes from it french equivalent, Beauxhomme which is Daniel's last name in the book. We made this choice to create a similarity between Daniel and Dr. Goodman. Dr. Goodman tries his best to act towards Ti Moune like to a regular patient, yet at the same time tries to ignore her attempts to convince him that they are meant to be together. Ti Moune receives help and support by her imaginary roommate, a patient with multiple personality disorder, who takes on the role of all the Gods. The idea that all the Gods speak through one person appears twice in the book. This is a difficult choice to do on stage as the lines are complex, and difficult to learn. This means that the actress of the Gods has to switch among several characters in short time which is not an easy ask to accomplish. A the same time the Bryn has to learn not only her lines but also which character says them.

    3.) Staging:

• the stage is simple
• 
  light and gods magical realism
• a couch and a chair center stage
• describe certain action and movement on the stage
• the choices my group made (overall group performance)

        4.) Role:

• the part I played
• the part in the book and the movie

        5.) You Performance:

• the specific choices that I made

        6.) Conclusion:

• what I/ we as a group did well
• difficulties→ learning outcome→ improvement
  
  
  I ran out of words but this is the beginning of what I have.

Language Without Words

What makes the scene of my group unique and creative is the abstract interpretation that we used. We placed the scene in a completely different setting though having some familiar elements in it. What makes our scene particularly creative is the way we make the book “My Love, My Love” look like it was all just an imagination that happened in Ti Moune's head. We twisted the plot of the book around. Instead of Daniel being in the car crash, Ti Moune was. Instead of Daniel losing his memory, Ti Moune did. The interesting part is that Ti Moune believes that everything that happens in the book up until the point where she meets Daniel again in the city, actually happened. Ti Moune still tries to take care of Daniel of whom she believes to be hurt which is ironic as he is actually her doctor. That way Daniel, or in our scene Dr. Goodman has to try to avoid her attempts to win the love she believes he has for her. The love she thinks he has forgotten. This obsession coming from Ti Moune, and the way that creeps out the reserved Dr. Goodman makes the scene amusing and original.

Our scene emphasizes the almost sickly obsession that Ti Moune has with Daniel. No matter how unlikely it seems that the two of them might be together and how many people tell her should go while she still can, she never listens. Ti Moune convinced that she is meant to be with Daniel, and that they must be together. She also has that blind trust in the Gods who we display as an imaginary patient who suffers from multiple personality disorder. This performance is supposed to make the reader see Ti Moune’s love to Daniel less like love and more like an obsession.

The greatest difficulty about my part as Ti Moune is to make the audience accept and buy the creepy crazy character that we have made her. This means I need to be comfortable playing a complete nutjob stage. I show that not only through my lines but most importantly through my body language. One some days this is easier for me than on others. It is both my greatest success and my biggest frustration. As for now it is difficult for me to estimate how convincing our scene is. Therefore we should definitely video it to see how it looks. Another frustration is that I wish there was a bit more action involved on my part. Most of the time I just sit on the couch in Stage Center and only move from the left to the right side of the couch. Thought does not prevent that my part is portrayed more convincingly, it makes that a lot more difficult as most of my reactions need to be showed through my face and upper body.

Overall I believe that I learn a lot from being in this scene. The part that I am playing is unlike everything I have ever played. It attacks what I believe to be my biggest weakness as an actor which to openly and strongly portray emotions and reaction particularly on parts where I don’t have lines. Thus it challenges me to act merely through facial expressions and body language.

A Long Way to Goooooooooooooo...................................................................................................................................

In our scene my group emphasizes on Ti Moune’s obsession with Daniel. Instead of him being in the car accident, she was, losing her memory. Ti Moune is send into a clinic called: The Antilles Sanitorium. Here she meets Dr. Goodman, who she thinks of as Daniel and believes to be meant to be together with. The characters name Dr. Goodman comes from it french equivalent, Beauxhomme which is Daniel's last name in the book. We made this choice to create a similarity between Daniel and Dr. Goodman. Dr. Goodman tries his best to act towards Ti Moune like to a regular patient, yet at the same time tries to ignore her attempts to convince him that they are meant to be together. Ti Moune receives help and support by her imaginary roommate, a patient with multiple personality disorder, who takes on the role of all the Gods. The idea that all the Gods speak through one person appears twice in the book. This is a difficult choice to do on stage as the lines are complex, and difficult to learn. This means that the actress of the Gods has to switch among several characters in short time which is not an easy ask to accomplish. A the same time the Bryn has to learn not only her lines but also which character says them.

Stronger Light for reality

Weaker light for God scenes

I still need to get more comfortable with portraying Ti Moune’s obsession with Daniel or Dr. Goodman. I have to portray her chemistry towards him in an almost creepy way that freaks him out and makes him uncomfortable. To empathise this we need to add some lines, also because our script is still a few minutes short. We came up with some lines during class today, therefore we should write these down and run the scene again timing it to determine how much we are still missing. I also have to have bigger reactions on what he says or does. As Ti Moune I always switch up whatever he says to me to make it sound to me however I want it to. For example when he tells me he is my Doctor and will take care of me Ti Moune understands it that he likes her the way she likes him and is concerned about her well being. This misunderstanding each other is a very important theme of the book. In the book Ti Moune is convinced that Daniel loves her and is deeply disappointed when he leaves her for Andrea.

Conveniently we do not have any scene changes, however we have a few lighting and sound cues that we need to work on. Looking at the scenes of others I noticed that we have to make ours more funny and intriguing for the audience.

Overall my group is making good progress, though we need to add some lines to the script it is already pretty solid. We got started on the blocking as well. This and the memorization are the next steps that we have to work on.

My Love, Doctor Props+Costumes+Script+Stage

Costumes

Wiebke-Ti Moune

• patient of an insane asylum outfit thing

Bryn-The Gods

• patient of an insane asylum outfit thing but made all crazy adding on small things

Bryn-Andrea

• a pants shirt etc. that should fit underneath the patient outfit (We’ll provide this)

John-Dr. Goodman

• doctor outfit stethoscope 

Props

• comb
• food+tray
• clipboard+pen
• ring

Stage

• bed+pillow+blanket
• chair
• stool
• door?!
• Table

Script

[sound of car crash, sirens, lights out/dimmed, Dr G ENTERS, phone rings]

Dr. G:     The Antilles Sanitorium, this is Dr. Goodman speaking, how can I help you?… A car crash?... A new patient?... A young girl?... What’s her name?... What do you mean she doesn't know?... She lost her memory?!... Yes, you can bring her here.  We have a room for her… We will be ready for her in half an hour.  

[Dr. G EXITS.  Lights come up and Ti Moune is onstage in her bed. Dr. G reenters carrying a clipboard and pencil.]

Dr.G:     Hello, I'm Dr. Goodman.  I will be your doctor.  How are you feeling?

TiM:     I am fine, but how are you feeling?

Dr.G:     I'm doing well. Are you sure you are fine?

TiM:    I'm fine now that you are here and I can see you are alive.

Dr.G:     I am glad you are well. Do you remember anything? What is your name?

TiM:     They call me Ti Moune. You are not well, the Gods sent me to help you.

Dr.G:     That’s great, thank you Gods. Do you remember anything else?

TiM:     Don’t you remember the car accident?

Dr.G:     I have heard of it, that is why you are here.

TiM:     I know to make you well

Dr.G:     No I am here to make you well?

TiM:     What do you mean?

Dr.G:     You were in a car accident.

TiM:     No, you were in a car accident

Dr.G:     No you were in a car accident, you lost your memory, I am your Doctor. And You came here so I can make you well.

TiM:     It’s so nice of you to be concerened about me but I am the one to make you well.

[grabs him (arm, hand or shoulder) he pulls away]

Dr.G:     Okay how about we take a break here. I will return later to see how you are doing.

[he EXITS, TiM starts daydraming, Gods ENTER, TiM stares after Dr.G]

G.Er:     (dreamily) He is very handsome isn’t he?!

TiM:     (starteled) Who are you?!

G.Er:     Erzulie Goddess of looooove!...As Asaka Mother of the Earth...Ag Agwe God of water...Pg Papa Ge...Er your worst nightmare...Pg I prefer sly demon of death!

TiM:     You are my Gods!

G.Pg:     Duh...

TiM:     You sent me here

G.Pg:     Yeahh...Ag Be quiet, let the girl speak. ... As continue sweety!

TiM:     You must help me…

G.Pg:     We MUST?!...As Shhhh, of course we will help you what do you need?

TiM:     Daniel doesn't remember me.  You must help me regain his love.

G.Er:    Ahh.. Young love.. So romantic!... Pg of course you would think that.

TiM:     Please I need your help.

G.As:     Of course we will help you, we want you to be happy… Er Take this magic comb it will help you.  It will make Daniel see who you really are. Ooh he's coming now.

[Dr.G ENTERS, Gods EXIT, while TiM is distracted]

TiM:     Where did you go?

Dr.G:     I'm right here. What are you talking about?

TiM:     Oh nothing

[combs hair]

Dr.G:     I think you misunderstood me earlier.  How about you tell me what happened.

TiM:     You were in a car accident and I saved your life. You must have forgotten me because of the crash. Now I am here to make you well.

Dr.G:     I'm sorry I don't remember that.

TiM:     That's alright.  I'll remind you.  

Dr.G:     Thank you so much!

TiM:     The Gods sent me to you when you were injured to save your life. The other peasants didn't understand. Papa Ge tried to take you away from me, but our love was too strong.  I thought I had saved you for good, but then your father came to take you.  I'm sorry, I tried to keep us together.

Dr.G:     That’s alright. What happened next?

TiM:     It doesn’t matter. All that matters is we are together now.

Dr.G:     I'm glad.

TiM:     I've been waiting for someone like you to fly away with me. I was so happy when the Gods sent me to you. Well obviously I was upset because you were hurt but you're alright now and we can be together forever. There are no more obstacles in the way.  I love you.

Dr.G:     Alright, that's a lot to think about in one day.  I need to take sometime for myself, sorry.  

[Dr.G EXITS, TiM looks after him upset, Gods ENTER]

G.As:     It's okay, Ti Moune. He will come around. ...Ag Stop babying her. ...Er Stop it Agwe. It's cute. Did the comb work?... Pg Does it look like the comb worked?!

TiM:     Oh what shall I do?!

G.As:     We will help... Er Of course we will...Pg I have an idea...Er Really? You do?!... Pg Daniel should die…[Gods gasp] what? I spared his life once…

TiM:    But I love him...

G.As:    (trying to calm Ti Moune) There's is no way I will let him do that!...Er Me either… Ag Well maybe it could be for her own good… Er How could you even say that?!... Pg Let him continue… Ag He is not good enough for her. If he doesn't see how special she is...

TiM:    He lost his memory, it is not his fault!

G.As:     Of course it is not Darling but… Er BUT what? There is no debate they must be together… Ag Ti Moune listen to me… Er No listen to me, you must follow your heart… Pg of course you would say that... As why are you always so negative… Er God of death remember! (to TiM) isn’t he your worst nightmare?... Ag Anyway, Ti Moune you must not forget about your head… As Don’t listen to him… Pg Daniel must die is the only way...

TiM:    But Papa Ge…

G. Er:    Don’t listen to that no nothing

TiM:    Erzulie, please…

(both at the same time)

G.Ag:    Papa Ge has a point… As Ti Moune you can’t… Er --you heart.. Pg --die… Ag  No… As idiot, Listen to-... Pg --me…Er --me... Ag --me… As--me

TiM:    (after Papa Ge has a point) but Agwe…(after Ti Moune you can’t) I love him… (after --you heart) Yes… (after. --die) No…(No...Idiot listen to… me) -Papa Ge… (me) -Erzulie… (me) -Agwe… (me) -Asaka

[Gods grab and shake Ti Moune]

TiM:    GODS!!!! (screams loud, rips herself away, throws the comb, Gods disappear EXIT, Daniel ENTERS carrying tray with food)

Dr.G:    TI MOUNE (pause in which she isn’t reacting) What is wrong? Are you alright?

[ Dr.G walks toward Ti Moune, sets down tray and sits next to her, Ti Moune is shaky]

Dr.G:     It’s okay. Calm down.  Everything will be alright.  You are safe here with me.  I'm here for you. (Touches Ti Moune’s shoulder)

[Ti Moune relaxing, takes big relaxing breath]

TiM:     Oh, Daniel… (Andrea ENTERS and covers Dr. G’s eyes)

Adr:     Oh, Daniel…

Dr.G:     Andrea, is that you?!(Daniel stands up and spins around) It is you! (Picks up Andrea and spins her) What are you doing here?! I missed you so much!

Adr:     I'm so happy to see you! I missed you too!

Dr.G:     How are you doing? How was France? I don’t even know what to say.

Adr:    France was great, but my trip is not that important.  All that matters is we are together now.

Dr.G:     It was awful being away from you…

TiM:    (pulls his coat from behind) Daniel who is that?

Dr.G: Oh right, Andrea this is Ti Moune, my new patient. Ti Moune this is Andrea, my fiance.

Adr:    Nice to meet you.

TiM:    Fiance?! But Daniel we are meant to be together, you can’t do this to me. I love you! Don’t you love me?

Dr.G:     Ti Moune please…

Adr:    What is she talking about?

Dr.G:     She thinks that she was sent by the Gods to save my life and that we are meant to be together.

TiM:    I don’t think that I know it! And you do too Daniel.

Dr.G:    I do?

TiM:     (getting up and grabbing his hand) Yes deep inside yourself you can see the truth.

Adr:    Do you believe any of this nonsense?

TiM:     This is no nonsense. I am to be with Daniel and you wont be able to change that. You wont! Do you hear me! (starts shaking Andrea)

Adr:    (trying to free herself) What the hell is wrong with you?

Dr.G:    (freeing Andrea) Ti Moune stop. (to Andrea) Don’t worry she’s just crazy!

TiM:     Please Daniel, I am not crazy.

Dr.G:     Let’s leave. I've had enough for one day and I want to talk to you… Alone.

[they start EXITING, holding hands]

Adr:    Did you think about the wedding while I was gone?

[EXIT Andrea and Dr. Goodman, Ti Moune is left alone in her room, staring in space a few seconds, lights dim out, Scene]