The Empty Space
In January this year I had very little work on, it was an incredibly slow start to the year. Meaning that I was stuck at home in my bedroom. I kind of got into a bit of a bad space and really hated my room and the fact I was stuck in it.
Feeling claustrophobic which is unusual for me because I was a box jumper for nearly ten years of my life, I didn’t feel creative at all. Just depressed.
… unlike a book, a theatre has one special characteristic. It is always possible to start again.
The Empty Space by Peter Brook page 157
Along comes a pandemic just two months later meaning I would be stuck in my room permanently for the foreseeable. I realised quite quickly that I can either see this as a prison or an opportunity to liberate myself creatively and use the space and time I’ve been given for me.
Self indulgence is not a normal Arkane trait however I have chosen to take this spare time I have been given to be selfish. To do everything I can to improve as a person and performer. To read, to write, study and explore. One of the things that I did (without my parents permission) was completely rearrange my room. If you read last weeks blog post you will know that I successfully created a miniature theatre space to perform and practice in.
Why all the effort?
To play needs much work. But when we experience the work as play, then it is not work anymore.
The Empty Space by Peter Brook page 157
The original idea was to make any performances I do feel like a proper theatrical production however it ended up being much more than this. Every morning I wake up and see the space I created, I want to get up and practice. I bought myself a proper close up mat so that I enjoy flinging cards on it. Creating a special place for me to do what I love has honestly changed my lockdown life, and made me creative in ways I never knew were possible.
Try to make a unique space to practice, perform and imagine in. If you feel joy during the process, the work you create will reflect that.
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Thanks to some friends being intrigued about it, I put together my first iMovie describing how I created my home Arkane Magic Studio. If you have ten minutes to spare please watch it. I hope in creating something selfishly for me, I will pass on some knowledge to you.
***CAUTION: If you thought I was a bit crazy, after watching this I hope we are still friends.***
There is no doubt that a theatre can be a very special place. It is like a magnifying glass, and also like a reducing glass. It is a small world, so it can easily be a pretty one.
The Empty Space by Peter Brook page 110
It’s marvellous to see you focusing on the positives. So much harder to do in these strange times but your growth and development as a magician and performer Is clear and shows the amount of hard work you have put into what you’re doing. I’m proud to be your friend.
“Art, especially the stage, is an area where it is impossible to walk without stumbling. There are in store for you many unsuccessful days, there will be great misunderstandings and deep disappointments…you must be prepared for all this, accept it and nevertheless, stubbornly, fanatically follow your own way” Anton Chekhov
“Never forget why you are lucky…You have a dream. You have a passion. You are taking a risk. Most people don’t. Never forget that” Andy Nyman
Thank you Alan. These quotes are fabulous and a reminder that I am trying to do and achieve what I’ve always wanted in life. It’s interesting that finally after college I’m finally putting to use all the lessons I learnt and my magic and performance knowledge are joining forces to further me as a performer.
As Houdin said “The Magician is an Actor playing the part of a magician.”
Hope you and Carol-Ann are keeping well!!! Lots of Love to you both!