Immediately after a performance, there is always a sense of relief. However, once the proverbial dust has settled, as an artist you must begin to once again look through the lens of critical analysis.  My show had been a long time in the making, starting from nothing but an idea and a keen intention to ensure the show was a lyrical one. In order to analyse the show correctly, I have decided to categorise the positive aspects of the show, and the areas of the show of which could have been improved.

POSITIVES:

1.) The major positive in my show, was, without doubt the text itself. I felt that the intensity in the room was right given eh content of the material, and the wordplay had achieved it’s desired effect of creating a mysterious aura to an already enigmatic narrative, much like the works of my inspiration, Edgar Allan Poe. I felt as though the genre of my show was inexplicably clear to the audience, and the intensity of the text, was clearly making any audience member who caught direct eye contact with me, at least slightly on-edge. Success.

2.) Another aspect of the show that I believed to be well received, was the soundscape. I thought it played it’s part well in assisting the backstory narrative of my alter-ego. and also helped to build the anticipation for the next section of poetry, during the section changeovers. It was my intention from the start, for the soundscape to offer two things at once: a series of flash backs to the different points of the killers murders, and a definitive backstory of his childhood and the horrors he himself endured. I believe, although it could have been more complex, and added more detail in that sense, the soundscape still achieved its goal of creating a mysterious atmosphere, and helped to solidify the genre as well as the character himself before he had even spoken a word to the audience. So, overall I believe this to be a strong positive.

NEGATIVES:

1.) The first and most pressing need for improvement was the length of my performance, initially, I had thought that the script and need for dramatic pauses during it, would have given me plenty of time. However, this did not prove the case, and perhaps because of nerves I was rushing through the lines, leading me to be a little short.

2.) Another key matter was my physicality, I say this because my piece was almost completely static. This would be something that, given the chance, I would almost definitely change, as it would have enabled me to bring more levels to the performance and in turn, allowed the show to provide more intensity.

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?

Throughout this process, the main thing that I have learned is to trust myself, and not to be bound by negativity, as it is the main inhibitor of creative aptitude. To continue, I simply wouldn’t be being honest with myself  if I didn’t say that the biggest lesson I have learnt is to prepare. While I know I tried my best whenever producing my work, a more rigorous schedule in my preparation would have allowed my life to be a lot easier, which would have reflected in my overall performance. Nonetheless, I am immensely proud of myself for creating a show that I have always wanted to create, and hope that I can continue to create work in the future.