Plush Giraffes and Other Late Night Meanderings...

Can't sleep, so I thought I'd post some stuff that's been rustling around since Monday's rehearsal.

I was thinking about the progression of Valentine as a character throughout the play, and I'm thinking that TGV is as much about the growing up of Valentine as anything else. He starts out as the kid leaving home, still afraid of love and the problems associated with it (watching Proteus' difficulties probably don't help). Then, he's the useless, naive lover in 2.1, the somewhat emboldened lover (with an extra helping of jealousy and potential violence) in 2.4, the resolute (though eventually idiotic) lover/hero figure in the first part of 3.1, the despondent and woebegone young man in the 2nd part of 3.1 and 4.1 and, finally, the man that reclaims his life and puts down the Duke in the final scene. The refusal to grow up by both Proteus and Valentine seem to cause the action of the play - Proteus by not analyzing his commitments or friendships, Valentine for not being bold enough to be honest with the Duke (likely wouldn't be greatly effective, but at least wouldn't incur a banishment). So, what I'm really saying is that AJ and I should sing the Toys'R'Us theme before the show. (Hence the plush giraffe title) (Haha.)

Matt was talking on Monday about AJ possibly working some underlying anger at Valentine into the delivery of lines in 1.1. I was thinking that it would be very effective to have touches of anger on both sides. While Proteus would feel upset and betrayed by Valentine leaving home, I think Valentine, too, would have reason to be mad at Proteus. Though Val has continually tried to talk Proteus out of love with Julia, he's turned him down, and now, it is resulting in their separation. I think we see that in Val finally exploding when he says, "Love is your master, for he masters you/and he that is so yoked by a fool/methinks should not be chronicled for wise". Though he calms quickly (especially with the cuts), Val obviously harbors some resentment for Proteus being stuck at home.

Morpheus calls me, so farewell for now, dear readers. The Laurence Fishburne one, that is. Matrix reference. Haha. #sarcasm