Exploring Authentic Expression Through Body/Breath Connection in Theatre@York's 'Oh What a Lovely War"

With this thesis, I have investigated authentic expression through body/breath connection. In playing multiple roles in Joan Littlewood’s Oh What A Lovely War, I set out to find the heart and honesty of the soldier characters that I embodied. In doing so I had to address my habitual muscle tension that has arisen from emotional and psychological barriers from my past in order to find an ease and flow of my breath throughout my body. This was pursued by using warm-up regimens from master teachers David Smukler and Kristin Linklater, and by integrating my sense of Somatic Experiencing as well as yoga techniques. The analysis was ongoing throughout the rehearsal and performance processes. Moreover, the results were gauged by referring to Carey and Carey’s four-tier approach relating to competence. During the latter phase of performances, I was able to find the greatest developments in seeking authentic expression through body/breath connection.