The actor must prepare, fully, for the part. Research, physical and mental preparation in order to create something real and believable.
So it is one hell of a task when you have to play 5 characters. Writers. trust them to make your life harder! Yes I’ll be blogging here about the arduous journey of discovery that is creating a character, the highs and the lows, the back pain and sore throats, the learning of lines and the myriad influences. I, James Patrick Groom, will tell you all.So in the world that is Silence In C minor I play, firstly and most importantly, James Ipiris. Now I’ve known Mr. Ipiris for 4 years. He’s evolved over those years, from the original I created for the stage back in the summer of ‘04, through the radio webisodes (www.silenceincminor.co.uk) up to the present incarnation.
To begin with all I have to go on is J.P.Cooper’s words. James comes across as a creature blissfully indifferent to the world’s absurdities and cruelty. Although at other times his lucid in thought, compassionate and caring.
I always took James to be a man who enjoyed life, accepting it for what it was. This assumption lead me very quickly to james posture. It came organically. Relaxed, loose and somewhat humble. My shoulders rounded, legs bent to make the posture lazily comfortable, and the broad smile and happily searching, kind eyes. In addition I’ve found that this gives James an added vulnerability, a sense of Pathos that allows the audience member to look in and see something of their own humanity. Or at least I hope that’s the case.
There are influences – from Stoppards Rosencrantz to Stan Laurel and even Buster Keaton. Rosencrantz, not for the want of trying, seems to wash with life’s tide. James can be like this too, and like Ros’ he takes intellectual support from his companion. The same can be said of Stan Laurel. That comedic dumbness comes across as cute, but there are times when Stan is just as clued up (or ironically clued out) as Oliver, playing his part and taking responsibilty for the ensuing madness. So it is with James and his friend Alex. Plus I’ve studied Keaton and Laurel’s reflexive humility, those moments that despite apparent stupidity or dimness they innovate and yet in an almost childlike way overcome.
Of course a large part of James comes organically from the years of growing with the character. James has developed this calming humility, a joy with things, and thus an ability to deal with life’s little (and sometimes big) absurdaties. I think some ways James is more savvy than he let’s on, but then one can never be sure with a man who’s been stuck as a Staple Bender for 9 years. Of course, all of this only provides comic frustration for anyone with a moderately normal day-to-day temprament (namely Alex).
So my job is to make sure you, as an audience, feel, experience, share and sympathise with all of this, with James and Alex. It’s quite a task, but one James and I have relished for quite some time. Just got to perfect those scenes, polish those lines and . . . . well you’ll see!
