First Draft

Sarcastic Comedy

Outline: 

• Thesis: A love story can be sarcastic; a prince can be a coward; a comedy can also be meaningful. 
• Introduction
• It is an unrealistic and sarcastic story; how to show this in our performance. 
• Romeo’s immaturity; how to show this in our play. 
• Explain how we made the scene funny. Give details. 
• Expand the importance of music
• Conclusion

When people mention Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet always comes into mind immediately. Romeo and Juliet was written in the early career of Shakespeare, but it is one of the most well-known tragedy in the world. When people think of Romeo and Juliet, they always feel mournful about the pitiful and romantic story. However, Romance is not the only identity of Romeo and Juliet; in modern people’s eyes, this story is more unrealistic. To show an unique side of this classic play, we directed a comedy version of Romeo and Juliet. We picked three significant scenes: Act 1 scene 5(the scene that they first meet); Act 2 scene 2(the balcony scene, which is the most romantic scene); Act 3 scene 1(the fighting scene, which is a big turning point). We used A love story can be sarcastic; a prince can be a coward; a comedy can be meaningful; simple music can also play an important role. 

To fully show how unrealistic the story is in modern people’s eyes, a modern setting and funny plots are necessary. The whole scene was set in modern time, instead of middle ages. In the first scene, Romeo and Juliet met in a loud club. Logically, no one looks for his true love in a club, but Romeo did. Also, it was almost impossible to fall in love with someone in such a short time. In the scene, Romeo and Juliet were no longer shy and naive; both of them enjoyed the party. Romeo was attracted by Juliet’s beauty, and he came to flirt with her. Juliet acted frivolous and flirted back. Due to we could not change the lines, the actors had to act the emotions. For example, Juliet acted frivolous when she said:“Saints do not move”, and after Romeo kissed Juliet, he just winked at his friends, like exactly what jerks did. Thus, since they first met, it was a mistake. Moreover, in the balcony scene, Romeo went to Capulets’ house to find Juliet. When Juliet told him the place was dangerous and people would kill him, he said that: “The kinsmen no stop to me!” However, when nurse called Juliet, Romeo was extremely terrified. He hid under the table and put his hands over his ears. His love was so changeable, he did not love Juliet that much. The different characteristics of Romeo and Juliet actually satirized the story; their love was not pure and real. In summary, from a modern perspective, this story was not logical, and it would never happen. 

Secondly, this play also showed Romeo’s immature personalities and behaviors. No matter in the original version or our adapted version, Romeo was always immature, but in this comedy version, we emphasized his immaturity. Also, there was a contrast of Romeo and Juliet. In the first scene, Romeo and Juliet both played with each other. In another word, they were the same kind of people. However, in the second scene, Juliet changed; she started to be mature after she fell in love with Romeo. Juliet acted more normal in the balcony scene, but Romeo just remained the same. For instance, when Juliet was complaining Romeo’s family name and how hard their love was, Romeo was so hotheaded that he said: “I take thy word! I never will be Romeo. ” Romeo denied his name without even one-second-thinking, and he climbed on the balcony immediately. Love was the only thing in Romeo’s eyes, and he could easily abandon his family. Also, the actor acted hyperbolically while he was speaking the lines and climbing, and this clearly showed Romeo’s immature personality. Moreover, in the last fighting scene, when Tybalt and Mercutio were about fight, Romeo came, which was extremely bad time. Then, Romeo tried to convince Mercutio and Tybalt to drop their weapons, however he did not help at all. The irony plot was when Romeo started his long “lecture style speech”, Tybalt and Mercutio almost fell asleep. Then, when Tybalt and Mercutio were fighting, he did not help, but yelled at them. This series of actions showed that Romeo was still a naive teenager, he did not know how to handle his life or deal with troubles. In addition, Mercutio also reflected Romeo’s characteristics. People always say that friends are like mirrors; you can see yourself through them. Before the fight, Mercutio acted brave; he even described Tybalt as a “ratcatcher”. However, when he was stabbed, he cried, and he blamed on Romeo. This was exactly what Romeo did in the balcony scene. What he said and what he finally did were totally different. From Romeo’s friend, Mercutio, the audience was able to see how immature Romeo was. Consequently, Romeo’s sarcastic side was what we wanted to show the audience, and we achieved this goal successfully. 

Not Just A Comedy

This comedy version of Romeo and Juliet is the most successful project I have done for this class. When we watched the videos, even ourselves felt so impressive and funny. The main purpose of this project was to make the scene funny and show the sarcasm of this classic love story. Compare to our first rehearsal, it was much better after we made some change. From this project, I learned many performance skills, and I also realized my problems. 

The performance was successful, because we achieved our goals——making it funny and sarcastic. As a comedy, the performance must be hilarious, and we also added sarcasm elements to the comedy. We showed how ridiculous this love story was in modern people’s eyes, and we also showed Romeo’s immaturity. For example, their first meeting was a mistake. They met in a club, and Romeo was just attracted by Juliet’s face. Their love was not true, and it would not last long. Moreover, we also satirized Romeo. Romeo was such an immature person. The things what he said and what he did were totally different, and his love to Juliet was not that sincere. For instance, in the balcony scene, Romeo acted so brave that he was not scared of death at all. However, when the nurse called Juliet, he just went hide under the desk immediately. He actually was not as brave as he said. In addition, when Romeo tried to stop the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt, he just used a “lecture style”, which did not help anything, but made Merutio and Tybalt bored. Consequently, even though this performance was a comedy, I think we were more successful on creating a such immature Romeo. 

Music also played an important role in this scene. When we were performing different scenes, the music was always changing. Firstly, music helped the audience understand the settings. We set our first scene in a club, and Juliet could not even hear Romeo. If we only perform without the music, the audience would not be able to understand what we were doing. Secondly, the music also underlined the intense or the relaxing atmosphere. In the fighting scene, we have two songs. One is intense; one is relaxing. When Tybalt and Mercutio were quarreling, the intense music just made the scene more real. Since Romeo started his “lecture”, we changed the song to a soft song. Once Romeo finished talking, the intense music was playing again. When Mercutio was dying, the soft music was playing again. The change of songs made the scene so funny, and I think this was the smartest idea in our performance. In summary, without music, it would be harder for audience to understand the scene, and the whole performance would be less hilarious. 

Compare to our first rehearsal, our scene was much better this time, and I also improved my own performing abilities. Firstly, when we first rehearsed our scene, the music was too loud. We watched our first video together, but we could hardly hear ourselves, because the music was too loud. This time, we fixed this problem, and we put the speaker close to us, not to the audience. Secondly, memorizing the lines was helpful for us to make more body movements. After the first draft, we realized that memorizing the lines could make our scene better. Even though we still held the paper while we were performing, we could say most of the lines without looking at the scripts. This literally made our scene smoother. In addition, I learned a lot when I was doing this project. To make a funny comedy, I watched many videos. I found acting was really important, and body movements were important for acting. Then I tried to memorize the lines and made more movements when I was talking to myself in the balcony scene. However, it was not successful; I kept forgetting my lines, because I was nervous. Also, I found that I was not good at acting; I could hardly get the right emotions of the characters. Or even if I knew what emotion I should express, I just could not act that way, so I have to work on my acting. In short, after fixing our problems, I was so satisfied with our final performance, even though my acting was still not good, at least I learned things from the project. 

In conclusion, as far as I am concerned, our scene was successful. We made it funny, and we also showed our analysis about the story and Romeo in our scene. I really learned much from this project. From researching to performing, everything had to be done by ourselves. I was not good at acting, but I was trying hard. I will keep working hard on improving my acting skills. 

First Draft Reflection

First of all, I think our first draft was successful, and everybody in our group did excellent job. We actually did stage the scenes through modern people's eyes, and we showed how funny and unrealistic the story was. Juliet and Romeo met in a club; both of them just wanted to play with each other. We made the balcony scene funny to make the audience believe that the scene is neither romantic nor realistic at all. Also, we showed how immature and funny Romeo was. In the balcony scene, Romeo said he loved Juliet and he was not afraid of death at all. However, when the nurse called Juliet, he was just so scared that he even hided under the desk. Moreover, in the fighting scene, we also showed how immature Romeo was, and we made the fight like a fight between little children. When Mercutio and Tybalt were fighting, Romeo just tried to convince them by saying beautiful words. His words did not help anything, but made Tybalt and Mercutio bored. After Romeo's long "lecture", Tybalt and Mercutio fought. The fight was also very funny. Mercutio said he was brave, but when he was stabbed, he was scared. He even cried. Our use of relaxing music actually made this plot more sarcastic and funnier. In addition, when Romeo killed Tybalt, he was horrified. He thought he was brave, but when he actually killed a person, he just ran away, like exactly what little kids do.

Secondly, there is a personal issue; I have to work on my acting. I tried many times, and I still cannot express the right emotion, especially while I am speaking the lines. Thus, I have to keep thinking how to make Juliet funny. Also, I always have a problem that when I am nervous, I cannot read the lines fluently. When I was acting today, I had this problem again. Even though I read it thousands times when I was practicing. Therefore, I think I should try to relax and practice more before videoing.

Thirdly, I think there are also several little problems that we should work on. Firstly, the music was too loud, and we were not speaking very loud. When we were watching our videos, we could hardly hear ourselves. Thus, when we perform it again, I will make sure the music sound does not drown out our voices. Moreover, when we are watching the videos, we found we lacked body movements when we were reading the lines, because we had to hold the scripts. Thus, it might be better to memorize our lines.

Class analysis

In this scene, our group use set the scene in modern time, and we will show people how unrealistic the story is. First of all, I want to talk about how Juliet changes. In our first or second scene, Juliet seems like a rebel or outgoing girl who often goes to clubs. Even in balcony scene, she is still cripy. Then in the last scene, she actually changes into a sad and mature girl. Her costumes can actually show this big contrast. However, the sad thing is Romeo barely changes. He says he loves Juliet, but what he does can only hurt Juliet, so we let the fight scene end the play. Second, I want to show how funny modern people think the story is. It is so hard to fall in love with someone that quick, especially in a party. We set the scene that they first meet in a crowded club with loud music, and Juliet can hardly hear what Romeo says. Thus, in this scene, the funniest thing is Romeo and Juliet just say "what?" and repeat their sentences again and again. Moreover, Juliet is immature and rebel that time, so she just behaves very funny. For instance, when Romeo tries to play her, she also flirts back.

Lines

Scene 1.5

In this scene, we are going to show the scene that Romeo and Juliet first meet each other.

Settings: Club, LOUD MUSIC, CROWD

Characters: Romeo(James), Juliet(Olivia)

Costumes: Casual

At least five people are acting funny.

Romeo is talking to his friends. He saw Juliet and came to her.

Because of the loud music, people can't really hear each other. Romeo and Juliet repeat the lines again and again. Juliet shakes Romeo. People are dancing. Romeo’s friends make fun of Romeo.

R: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand. To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

J: Good pilgrim. For saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers’ kiss.

R: Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?

J: Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

R: O then, let lips do what hands do

J: Saints do not move.

R: Then move not.

(He kisses her)

my sin is purged

J: Then have my lips the sin that they have took.

R: Sin from my lips? Give me my sin again.

(Kiss again)

(Juliet exits)

2.2

Juliet acts creepy(obsessed with Romeo)

J: O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. What’s in a name? Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title.

R: I take thee at thy word!

(Runs to Juliet’s house and climbs up to the balcony)

Music: Mission Impossible

I never will be Romeo! (his face and clothes are dirty)

J: (Juliet shocked as hell) What man art thou that? So stumblest on my counsel?

Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?

R: Neither. If either thee dislike.

J: (Worried, and shocked) the place death, considering who thou art, if any of my kinsmen find thee here.

R: Thy kinsmen no stop to me.

J: They will murder you thee!

(Nurse calls from within)

(Romeo is frightened and tries to hide somewhere)

J: Stay but a little, I will come again.

(Juliet exits)

R: O blessed, blessed night!

(3 seconds later she comes back)

Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.

R: If my heart’s dear love...

(from inside) Nurse: Madam!

(Romeo is frightened again and almost crying)

J: I come---- A thousand times good night.

(She exits)

Scene 3.1

Characters: Romeo(Joseph), Mercutio(James), Tybalt(Ryan).

(though it is modern time period, they use sword to fight)

Walk in peacefully. (With a good mood)

Tybalt: Gentlemen, Good e’en.

M: Make it a word and blow.

T: You shall find me apt enough to that sir, an you will give me occasion. Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo.

M: What? dost thou make us minstrels? An thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords. Here’s my fiddlestick ; here’s that shall make you dance. Zounds , consort!

M: Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man . Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford No better term than this: thou art a villain.

Romeo walks in

R: Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee Doth much excuse the appertaining rage To such a greeting. Villain am I none. Therefore farewell. I see thou knowest me not.

M: Tybalt, you rat catcher , will you walk?

T: What wouldst thou have with me?

Start fighting

R: Tybalt, Mercutio, The Prince expressly hath forbid this bandying in Verona streets.

Romeo holds Mercutio.

Tybalt stabs Mercutio.

M: I am hurt. A plague o’ both houses! I am sped .’tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as the church's door. M Why the devil came you between us? I was hurt under your arm.
I thought all for the best.

R: This day’s black fate on more days doth depend . This but begins the woe others must end. Now, Tybalt, take the “villain” back again That late thou gavest me, for Mercutio’s soul.

T: Thou wretched boy that didst consort him here Shalt with him hence.

They fight, Romeo stabs tybalt.
Remember: when Romeo stabs SLOW MOTION
Tybalt dies.
Romeo is horrified, and he runs away.

Modern Tragedy

Title: Modern Tragedy

Group members: Ryan, James, Joseph, Olivia

For this scene, our group will totally change how people think the “tragedy”, Romeo and Juliet. First of all, we will adapt the tragedy to a comedy; sarcasm, hyperbole, and contrast are the whole scene’s “souls”; hyperbole and contrast are actually the ways to express sarcasm. Normally, people feel sad for this unfortunate couple, but does fate really cause the tragedy? Our answer is no. Actually, we incline to blame Romeo and his irrational love; we believe that his personalities and behaviors cause the tragedy. As far as I am concerned, Romeo is an extremely immature, but interesting character, so most of the sarcastic and funny plots will be in his lines and acting. For example, Romeo is a changeable person, and this is one of his funniest characteristics. We are going to express this point by the hyperbolic acting when he sees Juliet. 

We will combine three scenes together, Scene1.5, Scene2.2, Scene 3.1. Our goal is to make the scene logical and funny for modern people, and we stage the scene in modern time. In this scene, Romeo is a irresolute and immature boy; Juliet is a rebel, and hip-hop girl. This makes a big contrast. After they meet, Juliet become a clean and kind girl, but Romeo remains the same. Also, actors will wear funny costumes and act hilariously. In addition, I think the more hyperbolic the acting is, the more funny the scene will be. Thus, this requires actors to read lines and behave extremely hyperbolic. For instance, I think the fighting scene can highly express Romeo's irrationality. To make the scene sarcastic and funny, Romeo will say some romantic words to Tybalt, such as "I love you" or "I don't wanna kill you", but as the mean time, Romeo just grabs the gun and shoots Tybalt. After this, Romeo is so terrified that he runs away, and he finds an excuse for himself. 

In this performance, our group has four members. Ryan plays Romeo; Olivia plays Juliet; Joseph plays Tybalt; James plays Mercutio. To be honest, the lines are not perfectly equal, so for some characters, such as Mercutio and Tybalt, they will have more acting part. 

Three Ideas

1. What did Shakespeare want to say by creating this tragedy?
     a. The scene Juliet and Romeo first met. (Scene 1.5)
     b. Romeo asked Friar Lawerence to approve their marriage. (Scene 2.3)
     c. The last scene. (Scene 5.3)
     d.  The prologue of Act 2.

2. What role did Romeo's friends (Benvolio and Mercutio) play? OR How did they reflect Romeo's personalities?
     a. Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio's conversation. (Scene 1.4)
     b. The fight. (Scene 3.1)
     c. Some other short conversations, such as "Rosaline conversation" between Romeo and Benvolio,  their short conversations after the ball, and the scene that Benvolio was testifying in front of The Prince. (I won't take the full scenes; I'll just take the important parts.)

3. What do modern people think of Romeo and Juliet.
     a. The scene that they first met.(Scrne 1.5)
     b. Comedy version of Balcony scene.
     c. Comedy version of the fight.
    For this one, I only have two scenes,and I'll change them to a comedy. I'll use a modern perspective to direct the scene. When I was reading the book, I felt this story was so ridiculous, so I'll use a rational(not romantic) and funny way to direct the scene.