Melanie Potts

My sister Melanie Potts performed her showcase last week at the ‘Libary Theatre’. As sisters, we are always very honest about each other’s work and critical in our critique, striving to help each other improve. At the end of each performance we say ‘tell me what you really thought’, we respect each other enough to not fly kites and give honest opinions and constructive feed back if needed. 

The showcase piece was ‘Spaced’ by Simon Pegg and Jessica Stephenson. Melanie played ‘Daisy’ and Andrew Knowles played ‘Tim’. Melanie or rather Mel, was brilliant. Her scene was very well performed, quick paced and got hearty laughter filled responses. The change in physical presence is what caught me, she became someone else, I looked for traits of my Mel on stage- I like to do that with actors I already know- and found non! Not even her yawn on entering the stage- all be it a huge cavernous yawn!!!- was Mels. The vocal print that Mel uses every day disappeared and this stroppy cheeky character was formed; enlightening and informing the scene.

The development through the scene and changes in mood were apparent but not screamed at the audience, allowing us to move along at an easy comfortably controlled laughter, without even realising it. I find, when some actors perform comic sketches, some fall into the trap of allowing the audience to control the laughter or they get caught up in the ecstatic feeling that happens when an audience laughs; without control some actors allow the audience to run away with them, each actor craving more of that ecstatic feeling, till finally the control of the scene is now out of the actors hand and in the audience.

I can safely say Mel and her partner Andrew Knowles produced a controlled comic piece that engaged and took me (plus the hearty laughing audience) into another world. Ah the beauty of fab acting and good theatre, a place for Escapism and Dreams.

I was pleased to see Mel had chosen very different character to Angels in America (which may I say was fantastic), this highlights her diversity and wide range of ability. I wish her all the best and can’t wait to watch and critique her next professional job.
All the best to UCLAN BA Acting students graduating this year and same to those heading to showcase in London!
Some incredible talent hitting us all very soon, keep your eyes wide!
Much Love,

Pottsy

www.nicolaelizabethpotts.com