Nightbody, Waverley was a short scene I wrote as part of my final project during my last year at Royal Holloway University of London, and I was lucky enough to stage it as part of Midnight at the Boilerhouse, a night of new writing hosted by The Student Workshop. I had the pleasure of developing this short piece alongside Lucy Doig playing Sophie, Lucy's stage presence is so compelling I knew I had to get her on board! Nightbody, Waverley also managed to be voted best overall MatB piece for 2020! To be awarded this was a unique priviledge as MatB showcases a diverse variety of styles of writing and performance within RHUL's Drama and Dance department, 

The Soundscape

To create atmosphere, the scene started in darkness accompanied by a short soundscape consisting of statements inferring the break down of a relationship. 

I'm particularly interested in Theatre of Darkness, and the effect a void of light can have on how an audience recieves sound. What changes when the ability to see is taken away from the audience? And how does meaning change the language when it's the only source for dramatic action or contextualisation. 

For a short 10 minute scene, a soundscape staged like this also helps transport the audience into the given context I offer surrounding the text. Especially as a part of a night consisting of many other short scenes, this introduction aimed to create an atmosphere for my scene, immersing its audience.