Character 'Piffs' on Left
Annotated Script
The scene depicts some form of ritualised and experimental job interview. On first reading of the script, I had some indication of the character. There are characters in the scene, one is Lamb, who I the passive applicant. Piffs, the character I am playing is a dominating character. She uses her position to torture potential 'applicants'. Piffs is very comfortable with this role. The script suggests Piffs is leading the applicant into a false sense of security. She is much more pleasant at the beginning of the script and then becomes more dominant. Although the scene is like some form of office/medical room, there are few details of location. There is no suggestion of what the jobs are, what the applicant is applying for. Their are some small details of the character. The nature of the script it self, the scene provides inclination into the story. It seems like a professional organisation, perhaps within government. Lamb is a scientist. The lack of detail suggests this may be a secret department or a top secret experiment. The script shows some form of ritual is occurring, where it starts professional and eventually turns towards Piffs making it personal and fulfilling her own needs. The character Lamb is tortured and as this probably happens many times, this suggest Piffs is comfortable with the job. I have an idea for the character, that though she is female, she has a masculine, militaristic physique. Piffs is not a stereotypical one, but a strong, powerful female character, working in a male dominant career. In many ways she reminds me of somewhere between Margaret Thatcher or Hyacinth.
Given Circumstances
The given circumstances are facts for the play. Throughout the script, there are facts about the world and character. Like most Pinter plays, the script provides very few given circumstances to work from. The location is vague, the job position not included. There is no character background.
List of given circumstances for the scene:
It's set in a office environment. In the office is at least one table and chair. The office contains equipment for the experiment such as the electrodes and ear phones. These are probably attached to a device of some form, like a computer or terminal. Te office could be anywhere, in anytime.
Character names. The characters in the scene are named. This suggests that the names are important, either because the names mean something, or that they are people in positions of power. Lamb is obviously a baby sheep. It suggest the character is naïve and passive, a follower. A lamb to the slaughter, a sacrifice for the greater good. As he is named, it suggest his position gives him power, but his nature means that he does not use his position for change. He could fight against the experiment, against Piffs, but goes along with it.
Piffs could be associated with the 'pith' of a citrus fruit. The pith is pleasant smelling, but bitter to taste. It is a necessary evil. Piffs is also in a powerful position, where she has authority to enact experiments and use her own techniques. She represents hypocrisy, as she is representing the British government. That it is acceptable for the west to use such as experiments, as its for the greater good, a necessary evil. Therefore Piffs becomes a literal representation of the 'necessary evil' committed by western governments. The name also means 'small puff of wind'. This suggest she can be felt like a swift force of wind. She turns up, does her work and then leaves.
Piffs is described as the essence of efficiency. ON the surface this suggests she merely efficient with the process and is punctual. Sticks to the task at hand, speaks quickly. However, this has deeper meaning. Efficiency can refer to the saying 'to kill two birds (or many) with one stone'. This means to get as many tasks done in one go. If going out, it may mean going to multiple shops, visiting the park and meeting a friend in one outing. As the term essence of efficiency is used to imply the characters nature, it suggests its important. It means that the character encapsulates efficiency. It is the core of their being. I also saw that efficiency could mean to mix business with pleasure. A busy person may not have time for exclusive work/leisure time. They may be focused on career. They may look to find pleasure (kicks) through their work. They may work over lunch. They may work in the bath, drinking wine.
The character is analytical. They will prod, probe and question the applicant to gain the answers. They will study the effects of the torture techniques. Lambs reaction to the electrocution.
Backstory
Margaret Piffs was born at the beginning of the century. Her parents died when she was young and she initially lived in a orphanage. This was a difficult time for her and caused her sever emotional issues. The lack of intimacy and loving care means Piffs is emotionally distant and um empathetic. The also received some abuse during the time in the orphanage that has pushed her to becoming sociopathic. Eventually she was fostered by a loving middle class family. Although Piffs appreciates their support, she did not ever feel a close attachment to them. The family were able to provide a platform for her career and she was able to attend university. She has studied both sociology and psychology. Piffs most respects the works of Freud and Nietzsche. During her time at university, she had her only experience of sexual intercourse with a male. She considered both the man and the experience, pathetic. This also lead to the development of her personality and focus on career.
After university, she was unable to get a serious career and mostly ended up working a secretary or personal assistant to high up power figures. However, she was able to gain incite and knowledge during this time. She gained he ability to blackmail and manipulate men that enhanced her position. She got her big break during the war. Piffs was able to work for British intelligence services at Bletchley park. Eventually, she became the primary interrogator for the British army. She was assigned to interrogate Nazi officials and soldiers and extract information through whatever method. Piffs was able to use her feminine charms along with her sadomasochistic personality to become an effective interrogator. After the war, we continued to work in a similar capacity, first interrogating Nazi scientists captured for their knowledge. Later, she also became an interrogator of Soviet spies n the present day, she was the head recruiter for an unspecified department of British Government. Her duty it to analyse potential applicants for unspecified roles. The roles involve the need to understand nuclear physics. The applicant must be obliging and stay calm under pressure to by eligible for the role. Piffs has developed many techniques such as the tools used within the office.
Scene
Lamb is waiting in the office. Piffs enters the scene and announces herself. She exchanges dialogue with the character and then states that there are a few tests to go through for discussing his qualifications. Piffs states for Lamb to sit down, as she politely explains that she needs to attach the electrodes and earphones. AT this time everything seems innocent and Piffs asks Lamb to relax. Piffs then presses a button that causes the machine to fire up causing electrocution to the character. He jumps and squirms around on the floor. Piffs stands over the character and analyses his response. Once Lamb readjusts himself, Piffs continues to ask a number of personal and intimate questions to the character. She questions he character Lamb that is he often puzzled by women. Piffs is implying this not as just a question from the sheet, but that she is the women he is puzzled by. She decides that she has her answer and moves onto to a multi question outburst in regards to the applicant after work feelings. The nature of the questioning suggest she is no longer asking questions from the clip board. Their is some degree of ritual involved and the scene should include this as a ritualised sequence. IT reveals some of the inner feelings of the character, that she is not only dominating, sadomasochistic and sociopathic, she also has turned the application into a sexualised experience. She has mixed business with pleasure. After the rant, Piffs asks a number of other personal questions and these appear as if they were questions on a dating profile. That she is analysing the man to see if he is suitable. Are you a good mixer? Means are you sociable? Can you hold a conversation? Listlessness means are you present? Attentive? Aware? a good listener? When Piffs says 'falling' coat, this could mean receding hairline. However, falling coat is referring to an animal, so suggest this is how she sees Lamb. She literally she's him, or all men, as animals. She cuts deep when she asks 'are you Virgo Intacta?'. This is very personal an as Lamb is an adult may, its embarrassing for him to admit. Piffs already had her answer, she didn't need to ask it but she makes a point of the question in order to cause distress to the character. When Piffs asks “do women frighten you?” she means “do I frighten you?”. She then begins a long winding number of questions relating to women's features. This again seems like part of a ritual and needs to be emphasised during the performance. It also appears that she is working toward orgasm. The gaps in the 'Their' imply something sexual. The sound could also be seen as part of the sexualisation of the scene. Piffs then electrocutes Lamb again, and stands and observes over him as he suffers. This is her job and she takes pleasure from doing this.
In this scene Lamb represents the people, the masses. Lamb also represents people with power and awareness, but who choose not do make positive change. They choose no to speak out against terrible actions of their own government, or stand up against the actions of those people. The character represents how people can be trusting of authority. They will even be willing to go along with experiences that can harm them, because they have convinced themselves it is acceptable (cognitive dissonance).
Piffs represents authority, power. She uses her power and the trust gained by her position to perform painful experiments on others. She represents the hypocrisy of speaking out against foreign powers who may use similar to methods, that are considered acceptable when used by our own peoples. Piffs is also representing an independent career woman of the 1950's era. A women in this time, would not have been treated equally and would have faced a lot of discrimination. Piffs would have been prepared to go to war with men. The character also highlights that women can be like men in terms of sexual thoughts and behaviour. Thy highlight that men may not always be the ones who are desiring sex (Lamb is a virgin). Looking beyond the scene, it initially seemed that Lamb may have been applying for a role where he needs to be clear headed and prepared to deal with the most shocking of experiences. However, deeper down, if read metaphorically, it may suggest that the virgin lamb is actually intended to be used as a literal sacrifice, perhaps for a satanic cult or a Patsy (Lee Harvey Oswald).
Profile brief
Name: Margaret Piffs
Age: 55
Born: Reading
Lives: Cambridge
Occupation: Psycho Analysts/Recruiter
Relationships: Nver married. Colleagues. Network. No close associates outside of work. All relationships are career orientated.
Associated Colour: Black. Empty person. Needs extremes to feel emotions.
Associated Song: Ride of the Valkyrie
Associated Animal: Spider, lures victims into a trap before consuming them
Favourite Food: Lamb, obviously
Hobbies: Networking, reading Nietzsche and Freud.
Physiological traits: Sadomasochistic, dominating, Sociopathic/psychopathic, robotic, antisocial, OCD, analytical, disciplined/militaristic, nymph like, efficient, split personality, bold, intellectual, career focused
Scene Objective: To subject the applicant to various tests, to determine if he is a suitable applicant. This applies t both the job vacancy and her self. Two birds, one stone.
Super Objective: Piffs is a career woman. She is mostly focused on career. Although she is currently head recruiter, Piffs wants to be head of the department. Piffs feels that she needs to marry to help fulfil her career ambitions. She is not looking for a man to love, but a man to use. A man that will do as she says, do as she pleases. That will be quiet unless spoken too. Marriage can also help expand her network. The tests that she performs for her job role, are also perfect to her relationship needs. Marriage will also help prevent allegations that she is homosexual and discouraged men from making attempts to seduce her.
Physical Action
The character is a female, but has many masculine qualities. I felt my natural frame was suited for this character and also helped me avoid stereotyping the physicality of the character. I used an upright posture and stood in a militaristic way. When I moved, I used a combination of a march but with refined dance like twists. I wanted to emphasise that this was a strong woman, but still considers herself a woman. It also helped me to get into character, when I adjusted myself to this way, I felt closer to the character. The clipboard was an integral part of the characterisation. When I was given the clip board and held it as the character would, I felt instantly a connection to that character. Even if I held out my arm as if I was holding the board, I felt this is action had became associated with the character. I believe this is because from day 1, I have mostly acted as if I were holding a clip board. It is an action I very rarely use in life. I feel that if performing this action, I could become Piffs anywhere. This was extremely important due to playing 3 characters and the quick turn around in scenes. The time between scenes allow only a brief window to enter costume and character mind state. This made me question whether I would be able to enter character upon entering the scene. However, I discovered that the clip board allowed me to enter character on demand. The character has some other mannerism such as they can be robotic. When the character is analysing an applicant, they will use robotic like movements, particular of the head. Only one body part will move, to further show a degree of methodology. Overall, I felt the method of physical action was most important technique when entering character for this particular scene. This is due to the quick turnaround and because the character is female.
Focus:
Due to the analytical nature of the character, their focus is mostly directed towards the applicant, or towards the equipment props. However, as they are analysing, they will take breaks to reflect internally or towards the world. At times she will talk languidly, where she is most likely facing away from the applicant, talking towards the world. Although she is directing her focus towards the applicant, she can gesture her internal feelings during this level of focus. The feelings may be sexual or of impatience. When Lamb is being tortured or receiving some level of distress, Piffs will then look inwards. Her focus may be towards the applicant but her attention is towards the inner world. She is analysing the internal feelings that are being created and expressing them. She may smile because of the applicants pain or obedience. When clicking the button to start the electrocution, Piffs looks to the sky. She feels in a powerful position, like a god calling upon a supernatural forces from the outside. Although she feels power, she also feels dependent on the external forces, to support her with her deeds.
Units and Actions
Lamb is pacing around the office. Piffs steps into the scene and announce herself.
The dialogue starts friendly and polite
Piffs: Ah good morning? (marching, announcing)
Lamb: Oh, good morning...
Piffs: Are you Mr Lamb (shakes hand, firm grip)
Lamb: That's right
Piffs: You're applying for this vacant post aren't you? (politely speaking)
Lamb: I am actually, yes
Piffs: Good, Now our procedure is, (Talking politely) that before we.....(faces away) You've no objection (stating)
Lamb: Oh hood heavens no
Scene changes to Lamb seating in prep for torture
Piffs: Jolly Good, please sit down. (directing to seat) Can I fit these to your palms? (shows electrodes)
Lamb: What re they?
Piffs: Electrodes? (explaining)
Lamb: Ah yes, funny little.. (smiling)
Piffs: Now the earphones/brain wave analyser (attaching equipment)
Lamb: I say how amusing (smiling)
Piffs: Now I plug in (gesturing sexual stimulation)
Lamb: Plug in do you? ….. (agreeing)
Piffs: Unquestionably, relax, just relax, don't think about a thing.
Lamb: No
Piffs: Relax completely. RELAX (shouting). Quite relaxed? (spoken softly)
Presses button to start electrocution process.
Lamb is vaulted to the ground in pain. Piffs now stands over Lamb
Piffs: Would you say you were an excitable person? (standing over Lamb)
Lamb: Not unduly...
Piffs takes seat as Lamb limbs into chair.
Piffs: Would you say you are a moody person?
Lamb: Well I wouldn't...
Piffs: DO you ever get fits of depression? (analysing)
Lamb: Well, I wouldn't call them...
Piffs: Do you often do things you regret in the morning?
Lamb: Regret? Things is regret?....
Piffs: Are you often puzzled by women? (stating)
Lamb: Women?
Piffs: Men?
Lamb: Men? Well, I was just going...
Piffs:Do you often feel puzzled?
Lamb: Puzzled? (agreeing)
Piffs: BY women
Lamb: Women?
Piffs: Men
Lamb: Oh, wait a minute, I...
Scene changes. Piffs become impatient with the current questioning. She raises from the chair.
Lamb is pushed across the stage by Piffs, whilst asking the questions.
Piffs: After you days work, do you ever feel tired Edgy?...... (controlling)
Now at the other side of stage. The questioning is more personal. It relates to Piffs personal objective. The questioning is more associated with a potential mate.
Lamb: Well its difficult to say really?
Piffs: Are you a good mixer? (speaks loudly and directly)
Lamb: Well, you've touched on an interesting point.
Piffs: Do you suffer from eczema (checks skin), listlessness (shouting) or falling coat (checks hair)
Lamb: Er... (Piffs agrees)
Piffs: Are you Virgo intacta? (speaking normally)
Lamb: I beg your pardon?
Piffs: Are you Virgo intacta? (grabbing shoulder)
Lamb: Oh, say that's embarrassing....
Energy changes, Piff's is infuriated due to her impatience.
Piffs: Are you V.I.R.G.O VIRGO I.N.T.A.C.T.A? (shouting, directed towards lamb)
Lamb: OH yes always (she agrees, she already knew)
The energy changes now she has what she wants from that line of questioning.
Piffs: From the word go
Lamb: Go? OH yes, from the word go
Piffs: Do women frighten you? (she pushes button)
Light is activated. Piffs energy becomes sexualised. Piffs begins to encircle the applicant. As the questions get deeper, she revels more of herself. During the 'Their?' she is working towards orgasm and touches her most intimate parts.
Piffs: Their clothes, their clothes, their voices, their laughter their stares. They way of walking their way of sitting. Their way of smiling? Their way of talking? Their mouths? Their hands? Their feet? Their shins? Their thighs? Their knees? Their eyes? Their? (pushes chair) Their? (pushes chair) Their? (breasts?) Their? (Buttocks?) Their? (********?)
Lamb is pushed towards centre stage. The scene is coming towards it climax.
Lamb: Well. That depends what you mean really? (waiting)
Piffs presses button to start second electrocution. Lamb jumps to the floor in pain. Piffs walks over to Lamb whilst he struggles. This moment has become metapohrical due to the light. Piffs is now standing between he light and dark and this is representative of her role.
Piffs: Thank you very much Mr Lamb, we'll let you know (standing over, speaks in a huskier tone)
Walks of stage, leaving Lamb.
Overall objective: To subject the applicant to various tests, to determine if he is a suitable applicant. This applies to both the job vacancy and her partner vacancy. Two birds, one stone.
Emotional Memory
Most of this character will built around the understanding of the script and directors vision. I do not feel as if I am a dominating person and I am probably more like Lamb than Piffs. However, I felt within me the power to dominate within the play environment. That as this is just playing, that I am a character in a fictional situation, I felt open to the energy. I was able to apply this energy. I also have the power to twist my vocal range, such as instantly increasing amplification. As this could be used to shock and was within the script, I felt important to have this skill when playing the character. I saw this character as a masculine female, I felt that my own physique was close to the characters. I was able to empathise some on my own physique as standing to attention and using dance like movement. For experience, I had characters such as Margaret Thatcher and Hyacinth that provided an impression of how the character may come across. I also know dominating women in real life, such as women who have been in the army, or business managers, and they can sometimes be quite intimidating. This provided me some reference of the character Piffs, that there are powerful masculine women. What I gave most of my self in this role, is the efficiency. I am a person who likes to mix business with pleasure, that's show businesses. A job that is fun. Hobbies that are associated with my career. Friends who are within groups and classes I am part of and may also work in the industry (networking). This help provide clues for Piffs life. That she probably does not have hobbies that are outside of her career. That she takes pleasure from her work. That she may work in the bath or in bed. That she only reads books that enhance her understanding. I saw the pleasure as the torture and sexual ritual. My life experience and some of my natural traits were therefore incredibly useful for developing the character and avoiding stereotype. I also found I was able to relate to a lot of the questions that she asks of the applicant. I felt every time I read the script, their were two characters in my head. Piffs, who I am playing, and myself. It made me see the script different, that this may not be a literal scene, that it is perhaps metaphoric. It may be a knight mare or a man going through a crisis, questioning his own masculinity. I found the process almost out of body due to this experience.
Final Performance
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