Madame G (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
filthgoblin) wrote2009-05-26 02:45 pm
filthgoblin) wrote2009-05-26 02:45 pm
Entry tags:
Julia Ash
I always do a character study for any characters that I'm playing. It helps me to get into part if I'm clear on the background for the character, and the times that I've taken time to do this I've generally felt better about my performances than when I've spent scant time concentrating on developing a history for my character, or done the work then just put it aside. I've started from the information about the character in the script, then filled in the blanks.
A synopsis of the play is here
My name's Julia, Julia Ash, and I've been married to David for just over a year. We celebrated our anniversary last month at the restaurant in Cardiff Bay where David took me after he got down on one knee and proposed to me on the waterfront nearly two years ago. It wasn't quite the same this time as when we went there last time. Last time there was champagne; this time it was soda water for me. No alcohol at the moment. It was just four months after we got married that I found out we were having a baby.
It was a real surprise to both of us. I mean, neither of us are getting any younger, and I was half-convinced when my periods stopped that I was on the change. Particularly since I didn't think I was able to have children anyway, it wouldn't have surprised me if my menopause had come early. Seven years I was married to Matthew, my first husband, and in the end I'm sure it was the fact we didn't seem able to have kids that killed our relationship. I was convinced there was something wrong with me. Well, he told me enough times that there was... But now I have David.
David is so right for me. I've always had a thing for older men if I'm honest! We met through workmates, and he was really coy at first. He's the sweetest man and when he proposed I didn't hesitate before I said yes. We went away to get married, to St Lucia, and had a quiet service on the beach with just the two of us and two witnesses. David was married to Barbara for over thirty years and I did the big white wedding thing in my twenties. It was about us making the declaration to each other rather than standing up in front of everyone, but I still understand why people want to make the big statement in front of all their friends and family and spend thousands of pounds on their big day. I suppose that when it's second time around it makes you a bit more pragmatic. There's no point settling for something just for sentiment's sake. Take that bracelet David bought me for Valentine's Day. Bless his heart, it was lovely of him to go to the effort, but it really wasn't me. When I'm wearing these earrings I still think of him, but instead of the bracelet I have something that suits me to remind me of the man I love. I know he understands that.
It's a bit daunting, the idea of being a mum for the first time. Well, I'm already a step-mum, but Victoria's getting married today and Jenny's not all that much younger than me. Even going to the wedding seems like a challenge. Victoria and Jenny have been great, but I'm really not looking forward to facing Barbara across the family photo. I don't think that she blames me for her and David's divorce. It would be hard for her to do that since we didn't start seeing each other until after they had separated, but I get the feeling she's not the most rational person. But I know she still blames David and he can't let that go. He still feels responsible for her, no matter how much I try to tell him that it's not his place to do that any more. But it's awkward. I don't want him to think that I'm jealous of the energy he expends worrying about Barbara, because I'm not. I just wish he could really make the break he knew he had to make three years ago when he decided to leave. She was making him unhappy then, and she's still making him unhappy now. If only I could make him see that.
I know this might sound weird, but if you're interested enough to ask me any questions, it would really help me to think about the character and get inside her head a bit more...
A synopsis of the play is here
My name's Julia, Julia Ash, and I've been married to David for just over a year. We celebrated our anniversary last month at the restaurant in Cardiff Bay where David took me after he got down on one knee and proposed to me on the waterfront nearly two years ago. It wasn't quite the same this time as when we went there last time. Last time there was champagne; this time it was soda water for me. No alcohol at the moment. It was just four months after we got married that I found out we were having a baby.
It was a real surprise to both of us. I mean, neither of us are getting any younger, and I was half-convinced when my periods stopped that I was on the change. Particularly since I didn't think I was able to have children anyway, it wouldn't have surprised me if my menopause had come early. Seven years I was married to Matthew, my first husband, and in the end I'm sure it was the fact we didn't seem able to have kids that killed our relationship. I was convinced there was something wrong with me. Well, he told me enough times that there was... But now I have David.
David is so right for me. I've always had a thing for older men if I'm honest! We met through workmates, and he was really coy at first. He's the sweetest man and when he proposed I didn't hesitate before I said yes. We went away to get married, to St Lucia, and had a quiet service on the beach with just the two of us and two witnesses. David was married to Barbara for over thirty years and I did the big white wedding thing in my twenties. It was about us making the declaration to each other rather than standing up in front of everyone, but I still understand why people want to make the big statement in front of all their friends and family and spend thousands of pounds on their big day. I suppose that when it's second time around it makes you a bit more pragmatic. There's no point settling for something just for sentiment's sake. Take that bracelet David bought me for Valentine's Day. Bless his heart, it was lovely of him to go to the effort, but it really wasn't me. When I'm wearing these earrings I still think of him, but instead of the bracelet I have something that suits me to remind me of the man I love. I know he understands that.
It's a bit daunting, the idea of being a mum for the first time. Well, I'm already a step-mum, but Victoria's getting married today and Jenny's not all that much younger than me. Even going to the wedding seems like a challenge. Victoria and Jenny have been great, but I'm really not looking forward to facing Barbara across the family photo. I don't think that she blames me for her and David's divorce. It would be hard for her to do that since we didn't start seeing each other until after they had separated, but I get the feeling she's not the most rational person. But I know she still blames David and he can't let that go. He still feels responsible for her, no matter how much I try to tell him that it's not his place to do that any more. But it's awkward. I don't want him to think that I'm jealous of the energy he expends worrying about Barbara, because I'm not. I just wish he could really make the break he knew he had to make three years ago when he decided to leave. She was making him unhappy then, and she's still making him unhappy now. If only I could make him see that.
I know this might sound weird, but if you're interested enough to ask me any questions, it would really help me to think about the character and get inside her head a bit more...
no subject
Have you met Barbara before? Do you just know about her percieved hostility through David?
Also how do the daughters feel about you having a child? Byt he sounds of things you are the same age as them and I know that David is a fair bit older than you...are there any issues with money? Perhaps an inheritance that might come up later?
Enough questions?? lol
no subject
There is quite an age gap between David and me - he's just turned 61 and I'm only just 40. He's not wealthy, and I know that his will has everything in trust for Victoria and Jenny anyway. Though I'm sure he'll update it when this little one comes along. Jenny took a little longer to come around to the idea of me and her dad being together, but she's very much her mother's daughter. Victoria is just lovely, and so much like her dad. The first time we met, I was so nervous, but she just got up from the table in the restaurant we were meeting to have lunch and hugged me like she'd known me forever. She couldn't have been more welcoming.
I'm not sure how Jenny feels about the baby, but Victoria has been lovely about it all. It must be odd for them having a half-brother or sister on the way who will be over 20 years younger than they are. But if they feel in any way awkward about it, they've never shown it.
Supplementarry questions welcome...