O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent To set against me for your merriment: If you we re civil and knew courtesy, You would not do me thus much injury. Can you not hate me, as I know you do, But you must join in souls to mock me too? If you were men, as men you are in show, You would not use a gentle lady so; To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, When I am sure you hate me with your hearts. You both are rivals, and love Hermia; And now both rivals, to mock Helena: A trim exploit, a manly enterprise, To conjure tears up in a poor maid's eyes With your derision! none of noble sort Would so offend a virgin, and extort A poor soul's patience, all to make you sport.
It's actually really common for directors to ask for this level of "over-acting" for Helena, and particularly at this stage in the play. Helena is a big character and tends to be very melodramatic - so it's actually the character being melodramatic, rather than the actor over-acting, if that makes sense. But the beauty of Helena is that you can make her very truthful and pared back too, if that's what you prefer. If you're auditioning for a production of Midsummers, check out the style of the director or company that's producing it. If they tend to like big and over-the-top, then go for that big style. If you're not sure, do what suits your abilities best. You can also choose a monologue that suits your style more - e.g. for Helena, if you want to go 'smaller'/'more truthful', you could do her "How happy some o'er other some can be" monologue for your audition, which suits being more pared back and reflective. This monologue, and "Lo, she is one of this confederacy" tend to suit a more flamboyant approach, because they are at the height of all the lovers' shenanigans. Hope that helps! 😊
If you meant for the Helena monologue to be completely contemporary, then excellent work. I thought it was a tad overacted, but it was funny, as that monologue is meant to be. I chose it for an assignment in honours drama, I think I've got it down ^^
The second piece is Sonnet 29: When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, And look upon myself and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possessed, Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope, With what I most enjoy contented least; Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, Haply I think on thee, and then my state, (Like to the lark at break of day arising From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven’s gate; For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
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This girl was so funny when I saw her live.
It was a very interesting modern take on the piece.
O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent
To set against me for your merriment:
If you we re civil and knew courtesy,
You would not do me thus much injury. Can you not hate me, as I know you do, But you must join in souls to mock me too? If you were men, as men you are in show, You would not use a gentle lady so;
To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, When I am sure you hate me with your hearts. You both are rivals, and love Hermia;
And now both rivals, to mock Helena:
A trim exploit, a manly enterprise,
To conjure tears up in a poor maid's eyes With your derision! none of noble sort Would so offend a virgin, and extort
A poor soul's patience, all to make you sport.
It's actually really common for directors to ask for this level of "over-acting" for Helena, and particularly at this stage in the play. Helena is a big character and tends to be very melodramatic - so it's actually the character being melodramatic, rather than the actor over-acting, if that makes sense. But the beauty of Helena is that you can make her very truthful and pared back too, if that's what you prefer. If you're auditioning for a production of Midsummers, check out the style of the director or company that's producing it. If they tend to like big and over-the-top, then go for that big style. If you're not sure, do what suits your abilities best. You can also choose a monologue that suits your style more - e.g. for Helena, if you want to go 'smaller'/'more truthful', you could do her "How happy some o'er other some can be" monologue for your audition, which suits being more pared back and reflective. This monologue, and "Lo, she is one of this confederacy" tend to suit a more flamboyant approach, because they are at the height of all the lovers' shenanigans.
Hope that helps! 😊
If you meant for the Helena monologue to be completely contemporary, then excellent work. I thought it was a tad overacted, but it was funny, as that monologue is meant to be. I chose it for an assignment in honours drama, I think I've got it down ^^
The second piece is Sonnet 29: When, in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man’s art and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
(Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven’s gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
she's really good.
Dopest Helena monologue I've ever heard
amazing!
i got this one for the competition. I doubt i will be able to deliver it as good as she did though.
Can someone write the name of the other monologue she performed for the second time
and now she’s on Broadway!!!!
What did you place?
ok but bit too 'performed', needs some truth