At seventeen Lisette is driven and ambitious. She is clearly not equipped to handle third place. She starts to see the worst possible scenario developing. No medals, sponsorship - anything. She feels desperate. Gina's suggestion that she consider taking drugs to enhance her performance is the last thing that Lisette expects in her hour of need. Little Mermaid presents actors with an opportunity to explore strong character, relationship and emotional obligations. Lisette in most circumstances in a strong character. She has the fortitude at seventeen to train and compete at the top level of sports and yet at the same time she is at her most vulnerable when the unthinkable happens. Losing first place is devastating. To explore the character of Lisette the actor playing her might explore sub-personalities or energies of Perfectionist, Special and Achievement. The perfectionist has very high expectations that inevitably lead to disappointment. Perfectionist ideals are very hard if not impossible to maintain and the narrow margin of error can only lead to a high level of tension. The fear of losing for Lisette must be very strong. What does this feel like? If Lisette does identify with Special and Achievement, and it would seem she does, these energies would be fed every time she wins a race, every time she is interviewed or is asked to endorse a sports brand. As her dependency on this level of popularity increases so does her vulnerability to it. The threat of losing this position must be very painful. Lisette's emotional state is one of strong disappointment and concern at the top of the scene which presents the actor with a challenge. How does the actor find these feelings to enter the scene? This question of course has many answers. But it would be expected that Gina's arrival might bring comfort, however this expectation is thwarted when Gina offers her suggestion of taking a yet to be banned substance to enhance Lisette's performance. Gina is older and more experienced. But it seems that as a coach she is no less ambitious than as a swimmer. Is this also her weakness? Gina is used to success and winning. Is this problem with Lisette's confidence a first for Gina or has she seen it coming? Her reasons for suggesting the drug to Lisette will have to be discovered in the rehearsal process. It is an interesting question. Has Gina lost confidence in Lisette's abilities or does she truly feel, that to be on a level playing field Lisette must keep up with her competitors by taking what they're taking. But what of Gina's own moral convictions? She was an advocate against drugs in sport. Has ambition and doubt taken another casualty? And has this ruined the relationship for all time between coach and swimmer. |