The Love of the Nightingale: Performers’ physical interpretation of character (build, age, height, facial features, movement, posture, gesture, facial expression)

Character’s Physical Interpretation in “The Love of the Nightingale”

Tereus and Procne

Performance of Tereus should reflect his strong physicality and military background; heightened physicality during violent action sequences will emphasise his threatening presence.
Procne’s physicality should depict her evolution from a youthful, naive princess to a dishevelled and vengeful woman; altering posture and physical expressivity can indicate this transformation.

Philomele

Philomele’s physical presence needs to embody her innocence and naivety; playful, open gestures and expressive facial features will emphasise her youthfulness.
After her traumatic experience, there should be a marked shift in Philomele’s physicality; performer needs to depict a broken, voiceless character through drawn-in posture and subdued gestures, highlighting her loss of innocence and power.

The Chorus and Niobe

Chorus move together, reflecting communal voice; unison movement and dynamics can demonstrate their collective narrative role.
Niobe serves as a symbol of mourning and grief; her physicality should indicate her suffering, through slumped posture and expressive tears.

Facials Expressions in Various Characters

Throughout the play, facial expressions of characters should provide insight into their emotional states and internal conflicts.
In moments of violence, characters’ faces must mirror the tension and brutality; harsh, frown lines for Tereus contrasted with the terrified, vulnerable look for Philomele.

Posture and Movement Techniques

Each character’s posture should reflect their status, relationship dynamics, and emotional state; dominant stances for Tereus indicate his authority, while submissive postures reflect Philomele’s victimisation.
The pace of movement is key in communicating tension; faster movements during dramatic episodes heighten the play’s intensity.
Gestures communicate nonverbal information; each character’s gestures should be unique, reflecting their emotional state and personal traits.

Concluding Notes

Physical interpretation is essential in bringing the characters of “The Love of the Nightingale” to life. Performers must utilise physical elements such as build, height, gesture, facial features, and movement style to effectively convey their character’s age, status, and emotional journey.