David Copperfield Rehearsal Day Two

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Day two of Youth Theatre done and it already feels like a week has gone by. People have already become more comfortable with each other as friendships grow, thinking more about their characters and constantly creating different directions and ideas for scenes. It is obvious, already, the dedication and commitment people are bringing, excitedly waiting for their scenes.
The great thing is everyone is just beginning to discover what they can do - how they can push themselves whilst being surrounded by people who will only positively support them. This is my fourth Youth Theatre now and yet it still feels as if I’m brand new to it all, as I meet and work with new and talented people all working towards making David Copperfield the best it can be.
Rehearsals

It is great fun working with all the new people, especially with the younger version of David: watching him and talking to him, and then incorporating his mannerisms and movements into my own work to really be able to capture that youthful spirit in David whilst being able to mature and age him. Playing the older version of David Copperfield has been strange, and challenging but incredible as it’s so interesting to go into his past and discover more about the character and seeing the parallels between his life with the author, Charles Dickens.

I’ve found that David Copperfield, as a person, is very relatable in countless different ways, and I have started being able to apply my own life to moments of his, despite the century gap. A great thing about the play is that the audience sees David grow: every moment of his life, the good, the bad and the relationships he has with people.

Everyone has been so focused already and always eager to take on the directors' notes and integrate them into their performance, then go off and play games during the breaks. They still somehow manage to keep that energy up all day and then go home and learn lines. I don’t know how they do it, I need a nap after lunchtime! It’s incredibly exciting to be working with such a talented cast and ensemble. 1066 Youth Theatre is starting to utilise everyone’s individual strengths and bring it all together to create something fascinating. Somehow this has all happened by day two, what’s it going to be like in a week?

Harper Jackson
(David Copperfield in David Copperfield)

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