Today we had to work with Cath and John the technicians to decide about the lighting options and changes to happen throughout the performances.
For my choreography, we originally weren't going to adapt the lighting as we didn't want to take the attention away from what was happening. Then after feedback from Jenny Coogan, we decided to have the lighting dimmed to add to the 'mystery' of the performance. Yet now Gabby and Lewis were in costume: cagoules and combat-like trousers to add to the 'going on a journey' theme, we thought we'd adapt the lighting to this too. So for the beginning we had lighting to highlight the back wall that Lewis was travelling across, and the floor that Gabby was shadowing him on. This then changed to a warm bright lighting to match the impossible task of 'walking on the sun', and then changed again to a cooler lighting that signified the start of the new tasks to follow, such as 'speaking without speaking', and then the final lighting change of a fade out as Gabby and Lewis travel from Downstage Center, to upstage keeping contact with each other, and still travelling even once the lighting has gone completely.
I was really happy with the results of the lighting and the costumes as they added to the feel that I have been experiencing more and more since the choreographic idea blossomed: that the two performers are on a journey, moving through different atmospheres, worlds, places, realities (tasks), sometimes separate, and sometimes finding each other to complete the changing-journey together.
For my performance, my choreographers Abbie and Natasha decided on a blue wash to cover the performance space as we let the breath lead our movements such as gestures that show the origination of the breath, and repetition of a variety of breathing techniques e.g. panting, blowing, sighing etc. Then for the ending, 2 spotlights which highlight both mine and Kelly's bodies appear as we first breath whilst pushing the pelvis, then the head, then the chest, then finally 8 heaving breaths that force the head from side to side, until the 8th one is completed and a blackout happens. I felt the ending was quite dramatic, but matched the idea of this 'Eternal Breath' that has flowed continuously throughout the performance and lead the bodies into various activities. Our costumes were blue shirts and grey trousers to connotate associations made with the breath and its flow.
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