How would you adjust the pace of your movement to show your age?
It's important to move more rhythmically as you get older
Generally the older a person is, the more slowly they move
Adults move quicker than children because they are more confident
How might a woman playing a breeches part - dressed as a man - adjust her style of walking?
Take bigger steps
Walk flat-footedly
Walk faster
What impact would you expect working in a mask to have on your movement?
Seeing would be difficult so your movement would have to be cautious
Your movement would be faster and more erratic
As the mask covers up facial expressions, your movement would have to have greater precision so that your actions are clear to the audience
Does size make a difference to movement?
Size makes no difference at all to movement
Generally it's easier to move in a fluid way if you're not too tall or too fat
If you're small you move jerkily
Why is it important to rehearse with props like swords?
It's a prop that can get in the way of your movement if you don't learn how to handle it
The excitement of using a sword can improve performance
Rehearsing with props means the stage management team can get them ready quickly
Why do female actors wear practice skirts when rehearsing period drama?
Because rehearsal rooms get cold
To practise moving appropriately in long skirts
To save money on other rehearsal clothes
Is it true that a moment of stillness wrecks a play?
If actors aren't moving the audience think something has gone wrong
It's boring and static if no-one moves
Used well, a moment of stillness can be just as effective as a moment of movement
Is tension always a bad thing?
Tension is bad if it arises from stress and anxiety but tension that's used to add emotional strength to action is useful
Tension is bad because it means there hasn't been enough rehearsal or things are going badly
Tension is good because it means the performers are on edge
Can using a gesture or routine repeatedly be very funny?
Repetition is boring and will make an audience annoyed
There are many examples of comedy built on repeated gestures and routines, from earlier centuries to the present day
Repetition is unimaginative and should be avoided
Do you have to be a trained dancer to perform a dance in a show?
Nobody should try to dance in a performance unless they are a trained dancer
The actors' union insists all routines are performed by trained dancers
There are levels of skill and sophistication in dance but a committed performer who has never danced can learn a straightforward routine