Camille by Pam Gems

Brief plot synopsis
Marguerite is a high class courtesan and the monologue is about when she was thirteen and the events which lead to her career chose. It isn't a classic story of a vulnerable girl she gets abused but she becomes fierce and takes control of her life. Her story and determined attitude in the monologe is very impowering and in the end she achieves her goal. She states the abuse as fact an doesn't dwell on it or show any real emotion to it.

Where did you get them from? E.g. from the internet
I got this monologue from " The Methuen Drama book of Modern Monologues for women" which is a collection of stage monologues from 1950 to 1970.

Why did you consider the piece?
 The character is so strong which contrasts to women being shown a fragile a femine. She is not only a coutesan but also a loving mother of a son who she lives for. They wat that the monologue is written is sounds like natural speech to help with a realistic performance.

How does it show your strengths as a performer?
I think this piece will use my strength of making events in the charactes life real in this case by not over playing it. Instead I need to use subtle changes in the tone, volume and rythem of my voice to show the emotions aswell as facial expressions.

Were there any draw backs from choosing this piece?
The character is so unusual in her thinking about some fairly bad things that happened to her. The challenge is getting the emotion almost numb and covering any regret or vulnerability.

Could you find a solution to the issue
When talking about being raped and being taken to bed by her master she throws the words out with no emotional responce.

Why did you eventually choose or not choose this audition piece?
I decided not to do this piece because I know that the character is numb and is very factional. The persons veiwing it may just think I am not having an emotional responce and that I'm not acting.

What would be the contrast between this piece and others you have chosen?
This character is strong, independant and determined where as many of the other female monolgues are about vulnerability.