The Tales Of Mikey Wiseman

So, yeah, something weighing on my mind that needs to be spoken. Listen up, all you readers who live for theatre!

So having watched quite a few shows, been a part of many of them as well, I have come to a conclusion. It seems there are sooo many who think they are great actors due to how many laughs they get. What? Did I just come out and say it? Yeah. I did.

It seems that more and more as I work, I see way to many actors and actresses who are hell-bent on getting a laugh, and they feel accomplished the more laughs they get. The result? Scene stealing, over-acting, non-realism, beyond caricature, basically, utter ridiculousness. I mean really peeps, is that what we want to see and pay for in these economic times?

Now, I must say before I go too far, yes this activity has its place. DUMB AND DUMBER, GREATER TUNA, CLUE to name a few. But you know what? Even in these movies and plays, there is still an element of honesty to all the characters involved. So with that in mind...

I speak of people who play for the comedy, not the character. I give you this thought: Which is more funny? Someone is walking along a road, accidentally trips, falls into an orange cart and all the oranges fall upon them? Or someone who PURPOSELY trips, makes it an event on the fall, tips over the orange cart, and then practically jumps up afterwards and says 'TA-DAAA!' Food for thought.

Yes that is a bit extreme as an example, but it proves my point. When we go see a show, unless it is labeled as a farce or simply a good time, we expect a little bit of reality. Wait, I think HUMANITY is a better word. To me, 'incidents' are sooo much funnier when I can identify with the character being portrayed, rather than a character who just comes in, does a stunt, or something outrageous a few times. I mean, for crying out loud, even the circuses of the world are giving their clowns a character story line for their acts of bravado and comedy these days!

Dang, I use a lot of commas. Anyways...

The point being: Fellow actors and actresses of the world, sure, you can get laughs by doing outrageous things, you can steal a scene by doing little things, yeah, you can even get some minor applause for some of the crap (let's face it, it truly is crap) you decide to pull, but when it comes down to it, what does an audience really remember? 'Oh my it was so funny when this small moment happened', point being, do they remember your name? Do they remember specifically what happened? NO. They remember honesty, they remember characters who grow throughout a show. They remember performances that move them, not just make them laugh.

Wanna make a bet? Check out the reviews of local theatre shows. And then go see them. More often than not, the peeps that get a nod or mention are the characters who have DEVELOPMENT and audiences can actually feel for. Wait...what? Oh that might be that honesty thing I was talking about!

Sure you can create all kinds of laughs by doing crazy things, but is it truly what your character would do? Is it REALLY in the vein of forwarding the show? So you get bored having done the show a few times and want to create more excitement....well...in doing so, you violate the author's intent, you violate the scene itself, and you violate your fellow onstage actors' right to perform the scene. EVIL! When do you begin to realize a show is not just about you, but everyone as a whole? I don't care what your experience or name is! A show is a show. 'Props' should go to everyone in the cast and crew and production, NOT just YOU.

Let us all remember that theatre is for everyone, not just for one!

In other words, evil-doers, they remember not a circus act, or a side show comedy routine. No, they remember, through time, how they felt and identified with certain characters, which lasts much longer than a laugh.

So, to conclude this rant, I say this to all fellow actors and actresses: Play the honesty and the intention - the laughs you get will be far more memorable and worthwhile. To be remembered right after the show is fun, but to be remembered years later is even better.

I say this being a character actor who does not oft get the lead for a show, and yes, should I play it that way, could steal a scene, or a show (depending on direction of course). I am never bitter, just simply saddened by the antics of others in what I call 'the ruination' of a show. I say this as someone who observes this ridiculo-sity (add it to your dictionaries folks), that goes on and sees people getting robbed of the respect they truly deserve.