Early in the play, Jo and Helen move into a dismal, cold flat. In this moment, Jo confronts the bleakness of her surroundings and her mother's lifestyle.
Even if talking to herself, Jo is often "performing" for an unseen observer or arguing with a ghost (like her mother). Summary of Key Scenes for New Monologues
She declares:
His quiet moments of domesticity where he explains his care for Jo, or his confrontations with Helen. His monologues reveal a young man creating a safe haven in a world that refuses to grant him one. Performance Guide: Making the Monologue Feel "New"
"I’m not frightened of the darkness outside. It’s the darkness inside houses I don't like. You’re always looking for something, aren't you, Helen? A new man, a new flat, a new start. And what do you get? Me. You look at me and you see your own mistakes staring back at you. I’m not going to be like you. I’m not going to spend my life running away from things in a pair of cheap shoes. You think because I’m young, I don’t see how the world works? I see it. I see the way people look at us. We’re dirt to them. But I’m going to make something of myself. Even if I have to do it completely on my own. I don't need your advice, and I certainly don't need your pity." Performance Guide: Mastering the Monologue a taste of honey monologue new
Now. Where the hell did I put that ramen?
Jo is a watcher. Before you begin speaking, take a moment to really "see" the environment or the person you are addressing. Let the audience see your brain working. Early in the play, Jo and Helen move
The rhythm of the Lancastrian dialect dictates the comedy. If the accent is too difficult, use a clean, working-class Northern aesthetic. Do not let a bad accent ruin your pacing. 3. Emphasize the Rhythm
Helen is often seen as an antagonist, but Delaney gives her monologues that are painfully honest and sharp, offering a masterclass in playing a complex "anti-heroine." Summary of Key Scenes for New Monologues She