Lasting Effects
Lara Foot Newton credits her mentor Sir Peter Hall with opening up major career opportunities for her, such as the one at the Gate Theatre in London. In a “theatre obsessed with advanced planning”, Sir Peter arranged for Tshepang to be staged there in the space of two weeks. The play, says Sir Peter, “caused something of a sensation”.
Hear and Now showcases Foot Newton as both a writer and a director. After Tshepang, Sir Peter stressed his protégée’s writing talents and advised her to write more. Her latest play is a fruit of that labour.
In the year spent with mentor Sir Peter Hall, Foot Newton discovered an alternative to her improvisatory style of rehearsal. By focusing on the structure, form and rhythm of language and scenes she says, “I surprised myself.”
This approach becomes clear in these rehearsals for Hear and Now, where we can watch how small adjustments can lead to bold changes in the tone and emotion of each scene.
Lara Foot Newton in the rehearsal hall
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