Through a Glass Darkly - Almeida Theatre

Ruth Wilson in rehearsalPhoto: Bridget JonesJust enjoy doing the things thateveryone does and that’s how youget better. Act like everyone else.And before you know it, you’ll belike everyone else. It’s very simple.MartinScene Fourgreat detail, and this was very helpful in seeingthat the ambience leading into the derelict roomneeded to be a seductive one. There would be onlyone moment during the show where what Karinhears is literally given through sound, thus itrequired a great deal of delicacy and care.Friday afternoon’s session was particularlyexhilarating, focussing on the scene with Max andKarin in the derelict room. Through playing withdifferent physical possibilities, we came closer tofinding the journey of these two characters thatcould lead to the sexual encounter that envelopsthem. This scene epitomises the extent to whichKarin’s character shifts dramatically from momentto moment. She is like a pinball; changingdirection at startling speed. Mapping a veryphysical journey for this scene created theundercurrent that was needed in order to be privyto the powerful interplay of control and power thatunfolds.Week FourWe went right back to the top and worked throughthe piece by simply running a scene, giving notes,re-running the scene and then moving on. At thispoint in the rehearsal process it was exciting to seethat the actors had digested so much of theprevious development work on the play and nowthey were highly tuned to the characters they wereportraying, often finding instinctual adjustmentsthat needed to be made. Notes from Mike oftenconsisted of, 'you did that differently, it was great,keep it!'Weeks Five and SixFrom Wednesday, we did a run every morningfollowed by notes and rehearsing the specifics inthe afternoon. A small group of Almeida staffwould come to watch each run-through, givingfeedback if necessary to Jenny and the team.People from the production team, box office, andadministration at the Almeida were all coming intoget a flavour of the show. Each run-through gotstronger and by Saturday morning, it felt as thoughthe actors were really feeding off one another andenjoying finding the rhythm of the play. By Tuesdaythe following week all headed down to the theatreto embark on two days of technical rehearsals,plotting and piecing together all the light, soundand stage logistics, before a dress rehearsal andthe opening to the public.In the Rehearsal RoomResource Pack: Through A Glass Darkly by Ingmar Bergman 34