"Theatre Uncut" Character Description

"Church forced to put up gates after font is used as wash basin by Migrants"

Character Profile
Eddie Reeves (Racist Newspaper Owner)

In the Brechtian inspired piece, "Church forced to put up gates after font is used as wash basin by Migrants" by Mark Thomas, I played the character of "Eddie Reeves", the racist misogynist owner of the "Daily Voice", a right-wing Newspaper chain.

"Eddie" is a vile, self centred character that thinks only of himself and the welfare of his rich lifestyle. He is responsible for the mistreatment of the minority groups in his company and thinks of them as lesser individuals.

Throughout the short performance, "Eddie" rants about finding the "right story" that will get readers buying his newspapers regardless of whether the information is true or false. 
As an actor in role, I was able to pick up on "Eddie's" "given circumstances" and "gestus" as a character. I was aware that in terms of the "Brechtian performance technique", I would have to exaggerate my body language, gesticulation and voice in order to present a suitable "caricature" of right-wing political media. 
Much unlike "Naturalism", I would have to rely more on "action" rather than "subtlety" and appear "comical" in terms of euphemism and gesture.

In terms of message and purpose, the character of "Eddie" is very complex, unfurling layers of "scandal" and "mistreatment" that are apparent in modern day society. The audience are able to come away from the performance with an understanding of how society works in terms of "hierarchy" and "status" and how some of those with power can use their wealth to undermine and objectify others, in this case with "Immigrants".

In bringing my character to life, I noticed how the "V-Effect" allowed the audience to communicate and connect with the piece. Breaking elements of the 4th Wall, allowed the audience to question the motives of the character at face value and interpret the "action" in their own way. I believe this helped in creating drama which immersed the audience in the world of the play whilst at the same time, removing them from their comfort zones.   

A "Caricature" of the "Rich, Fat Capitalist".
I utilised this "image" as a stimulus for
creating a character that conformed to
the interpretations of Brechtian performance,
adapting comic, over the top voice, movement
and gesture.

Myself in the role of "Eddie". As a whole we were able to
adapt and shape the style of Brecht. Our set and
costumes embodied "comical value" which was useful
in exploring a "serious topic" and questioning its validity.
I believe we were successful in stylising the ideas of
Brecht and placing them in a "modern setting".