At our most recent Making Of… event, we hosted a full house for a lively discussion about the language of The Liar. Originally written in French by Corneille, translated & adapted almost completely in rhymed couplets by David Ives, and spoken fluidly by the cast – these words have undergone quite the process from the page to the audience’s ear. Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden welcomed actor Jonathan Weir (who plays Geronte in The Liar) to a conversation about how the actors collaborated with each other and the director to bring this hilarious script to life.
To begin, Stuart shared a note from David Ives that appears in the beginning of the script and makes clear his intentions about the rhyming language: “… a few of the lines in this adaptation are not-quite-perfect iambic pentameter. So be it. The point is not verse. The point is not to speak the line in jogtrot rhythm. The point is expression. The point is character. The point is naturalness. Not to mention the biggest point: fun.” Anyone who has seen the show certainly knows that this cast got that point! Ives has described rhyming as contagious and said that an audience’s ears usually adapt to the rhythm of the language shortly into the play.
Jonathan mentioned that the cast was encouraged by Director William Brown to experiment with the language, but when describing his approach to the text he said, “You honor the punctuation – let it be your guide. If there’s no punctuation mark at the end of the line, you don’t pause.”
He demonstrated a few lines from the script as attendees followed along on handouts. Jonathan mentioned that this cast has a lot of verse experience (mostly with Shakespeare) and this made the shared rhymes (where one character’s line has the first rhyming word and another character has the second) easier to navigate. Stuart and Jonathan discussed the importance of not sticking strictly to the rhythm of iambic pentameter to avoid sounding monotonous or like Dr. Seuss.
Stuart asked how on earth the actors pay attention to all of the technical demands of the language, while also portraying their characters, executing movement around the stage, manipulating props and managing their costume pieces. Jonathan replied, “You learn it, and then throw your hands up like a roller coaster ride! This piece requires a great deal of physical and intellectual precision – having great focus helps. […] All the layers become more second nature over time.”
Stuart mentioned that the play includes some darker emotional content and asked how the cast incorporates these heavier emotional aspects when using what seems like a language format (rhymes) that is lighter or more appropriate for comedy. Jonathan responded that he thinks the play resonates “because it’s very human. There’s a lot of truth in lying – we all do it… All characters must take great emotional risks and experience the ramifications of the lies.” He said the actors focus on the main tenets of characterization including relationships between the characters, what’s at stake in their lives, and expressing their full range of complex emotional responses to the action of the play through their performances.
This show has elicited quite the vocal responses from audiences (including a lot of laughter!). When asked how the audiences affects the actors, Jonathan said, “In many ways the audience becomes a third character. As actors, their reactions fuel us.”
Finally, the audience posed a few questions to Jonathan:
Audience Question: Was memorizing lines for this play more or less difficult than for other non-verse plays (for example, the other 7 shows Jonathan Weir has done at Writers’ Theatre)?
Jonathan Weir: “In my experience, well-written material is easiest to learn – and The Liar is definitely well-written.”
Audience Question: Having seen the show during the first week of previews in May, how has it evolved or changed over time?
Jonathan: “We own our characters so much more. We’ve lived in the skin of these roles so much longer and worked with each other more – [we have] a greater depth of understanding, more confidence.”
Audience Question: When you get a laugh on a line, do you play it up the next time?
Jonathan: “An actor’s greatest danger is trying to repeat since you can never recreate a moment exactly.” He said the actors do check in with each other after each performance to discuss any new surprising reactions, what they might mean and how they might inform future performances. Jonathan said, “Comedy is a tough business… it takes courage.”
We congratulate the entire cast of The Liar on their courage and success in articulating this incredible script in such a way that keeps audiences smiling!
We look forward to bringing you up-close access to our artists in the upcoming 2013/14 Season. Be sure to stay tuned to our website, email list, Facebook and Twitter for details on our next event!
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