We did a full-run of the play today: part 1 in the morning, and part 2 in the afternoon.  It was especially good to see the ensemble nature of performance between Flattery, Falsehood and Deceit developing.  There was much laughter in the rehearsal room at the trio.  What Tom noted the other day about Gerda’s performance in Part 2 is also true of part 1, Good Counsel really emerges as a voice of reason against the sheer exuberance and chaos in this hald.  This is especially evident when she is rejected from the court, but reacts by saying, “Sen at this time I can get na presence,/ Is na remeed but take in patience” and goes quietly into a corner to read her Bible.  Against all the madness, she is an oasis of calm.

In the afternoon we looked at Part 2.  At one point I found myself sitting in the ‘field’ taking photos of the parliament and it was an interesting experience.  Even though you are spatially excluded to some extent, the fact that action is happening all around you and that you are seated so close to the parliament means that you become a really active listener.  I was reminded of James V’s publication of The New Actis and Constitutionis in 1542 – readers of which might not have been able to alter the legislation but were nevertheless privy to previously closed institutional processes.  Maybe this is a dramatic equivalent of such publication of parliamentary proceedings.

We also staged the arse-kissing divorce.  Pictures speak louder than words!