- May 7, 2022

Arbutus #MyFirstAutomatic with @so.gelly (Part 3)

Part 3: My First Competition - Performed 'The Merchant of Venice' @so.gelly

Meet Angelika, also known as @so.gelly on Instagram. Here she shares with us her first experiences with Arbutus and how Arbutus Ladies Skeleton AR910SWB is an ideal choice for her first mechanical watch.

What was the first competition you have participated in?

Man, it was pretty long ago! I took part in my first competition when I was in secondary school! It was held in a lecture hall at another secondary school & my friends & I decided to give it a try! The competition was having to act out a scene from the ‘Merchant of Venice’. It’s a 16th-century play written by William Shakespeare! I played Shylock who was the ‘bad guy’ in the book.

How did you come across this competition?

I took drama as both a CCA as well as a subject & my drama teacher suggested that we gave it a try. We decided to just go for it and have some fun & gain some new experiences.

Can you tell us more about ‘The Merchant of Venice’?

It’s about a merchant in Venice named Antonio who defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. It’s been a long time since I read that book but I remembered liking it because it displayed the ugly side of humanity like discrimination, greed & etc. Helps to teach us the importance of loving thy neighbour & to treat everyone equally.

Are there any unforgettable moments from the play?

I had a prop knife with me which I had to throw to the ground during the performance & I got so into my role I threw it too hard & it broke into 2. I didn’t even realize it till the performance was over and I felt bad since it belonged to my friend but she was super nice about it & wasn’t angry at all.

How did you feel performing for the first time?

Definitely nervous. I was afraid I would forget my lines. I mean, it’s not the English that we speak today so it was more challenging to memorize. I was worried I would miss my cue or trip, many many things. However, there was also this adrenaline rush & I was pretty excited since we practiced really hard for this!

What is the one piece of advice you would give to anyone who wants to try this?

Rehearse many times, be confident, get involved in your role, understand your character. Understand the reason for their actions/emotions & just have fun. It’s important to have fun or you’ll get too stiff and there’s a higher chance you might blank out.