Cinderella | Lady Tremaine Monologue

Tuesday Critique:
-1st 2/3rds good setups
-Last thirds the stakes needed to kick in to payoff the setups
What I worked:
Phrases
Facts
The relationships
Story beats, their transitions, (Beginning-Middle-Climax-end), point/message
Intentions
Doings
Layer in Meisner: R3
Reason for choosing this monologue: I wanted to explore another lesser touched aspect of my core qualities to stretch and challenge myself and to change up the rhythm of my usual monologue choices. There was something in a recent element that leant itself to the colors I found in Lady Tremaine and it felt like the right time to try this.
Want: I want your oath of loyalty (submission/surrender - for you to become my means to another chance)
Why: Because then my entire life’s worth of suffering will not be spent for nothing (my life will have reason)
Point: Lady Tremaine is afraid to face her own darkness
Message: The choices we make have the power to save or destroy our lives from the inside out
Self Critique:
Some moments dragged (hence monologue was 20 seconds too long)
Urgency could have come through more in the last 3rd (could have had bigger contrast for the stakes that kick in)
Better on the innerworld, sharpness of thoughts and small blocking
What happens if I get what I want?
If Cinderella becomes my key to unlock a new life then I will live happily ever-after. What does that look like and really mean?
Image: Living in the highest seat of the Kingdom having all the power.
Image on a personal (human layer): it means that I will finally have meaning…I will matter. (For my entire life I have been the magnet of sorrow upon sorrow as if nothing I ever was or did that was good had any reason.
What happens if I don’t get what I want?
If Cinderella refuses to be my key to unlock a new life then I “my story” will be ended at living “unhappily ever after”. What does that look like an really mean?
Image: Banished from the kingdom and living in rags (a punishment to me worse than death itself)
Image on a personal (human layer): it means the worst of all humiliation: I had worse than no purpose for being alive. An object of excruciating torment and rejection.
Making the point:
Lady Tremaine is making this point to Cinderella
Cinderella: Essence of the relationship: Step-daughter
Point of view towards this Essence: the provocative image of my young self who was so foolish in believing good that she robbed me of a life of true fulfillment
Prep Line: a betrayed Lady Tremaine stirs the pot to entice Cinderella and seize her attentions
BEATS/DOINGS:
Beat 1: “The enchanting/luring”
“Are you looking for this - I shall tell you a story”
Pov: you’re baffled
Want: I want you to come forward
Intention: so that I have your undivided attention
Doing: Bait
Mini shifts:
“Once upon a time-light of her life”
-draw
“died-daughters to the prince”
-shock
“But his head was turned-tell me yours”
-blame
Beat 2: “Prey on Empathy"
“But one day, her husband -now tell me yours”
Pov: you’re listening
Want: I want your guilt
Intention: so that you let down your guard
Doing: test
Beat 3:
“Did you steal it-Love is not free”
Pov: you’re defensive
Want: I want you to cringe in self-deprication
Intention: so that you lose all hope
Doing: mock
Minishift:
“Nothing is ever given - love is not free”
-awaken
Beat 4: “Council”
“Now, here is how you will pay me - and I shall manage that boy”
Pov: you’re heartbroken
Want: I want your reverence
Intention: so that you stand open to council
Doing: order
Beat 5: “Cut to the Chase”
“And who are you?- we all get what we want”
Pov: you’re resistant
Want: I want you to surrender your situation/status
Intention: so that you realize you have no fight to win
Doing: press
Beat 6:
“No? Well that was a mistake-And I…”
Pov: you’re immoveable
Want: I want you to pay
Intention: so that you suffer for your insolence (crumble in crushed tears, never to again rise)
Doing: defile