"Loretta" from The Melville Boys
By: Norm Foster
I am currently in a community theatre production of The Melville Boys. Playing the younger sister 'Loretta' who is described as self-centered and promiscous by other characters, I personally see her as someone who lives in her own world but greatly cares about her family. In my own self-inflicted homework to myself I have decided to come up with the three top characteristics which I think defines Loretta.
1 - Loretta lives in her own world.
I have a friend ... actually a couple friends ... who are like this. It's hard because for people who don't know them, it can come across as airheads or selfishness. While you need a level of selfishness to be so focused on your own little world it is not intentional. Loretta is always too busy thinking about her plans and her future to really focus on the little things around her.
2 - Loretta puts family first.
It's never said outright in the play, but she moved in with her sister after her brother-in-law left. She helps out with the store even though she hates it. When Lee tells Mary that he is dying, Loretta immediately gets defensive of her sister - thinking Lee is trying to trick her into sleeping with him. Loretta also worries that her older sister Mary is wasting away, and is trying to get her back on track after her husband leaves.
3 - Loretta likes to have fun.
When things get serious, Loretta feels the need to find the humour. She uses wit and comedy to distance herself to uncomfortable situations. It's also the way she prefers to live without regrets. She does what she wants because she, as long as it doesn't harm her family, lives in her own world. It's her abandoned sense of freedom that really attracks Owen, the younger brother, to her.
Well ... this was probably a crap post, but whatever. I'm just happy to write down some of my thoughts on the character. I should also put a diclaimer ... all thoughts/opinions are my own. The character Loretta comes from the famous Canadian playwright Norm Foster's The Melville Boys. It's a great play, and an easy read, since his writing is so natural. The words just roll so nicely because it's written like how we talk. Anyways, we are halfway through rehearsal and I am really pleased with how its going. If you would like to know more about the play ... Google magic!
Written while …
Listening to: We No Speak Americano by Yolanda Be Cool
Watching: Hockey
Eating/Drinking: Water … this blog is making me look like I drink water all the time ...
Located: In the study, curled up on my favourite chair. <3
February 8th 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment