Finding a Way to Slow Down

In these days when emails and texts rule the communications networks I enjoy getting letters through the post.  Last week, however, I received one that was less than welcome.  When I opened it I saw the headline immediately: “Intention to Prosecute.”  I had been caught doing 36mph in a 30mph zone and was being offered a speed awareness workshop instead of 3 points on my license.  An offer I am taking up with alacrity.  I imagine that they will explain the benefits of slowing down when driving – of which there are many.  There are benefits to slowing down when doing drama too.

Consider this scene.  A man sits in his house reading.  The calm is broken when a brick comes through the window.  It has a letter attached to it.  He reads it and then things happen fast.  He looks anxious – frightened almost – and then suddenly and quickly packs his possessions into a hold-all and leaves his house.  The content of the letter seems to have sparked a change of mood and sudden, decisive action.  

In order to examine the action, the content of the letter and the emotional state of the man we need to slow things down so that the students can consider things in a more measured way.   One way to do this is to run the scene again and freeze the action at the point of the man finishing reading the letter.  We can then wonder what might have precipitated his sudden action and consider his mood and emotional state in a measured way before continuing the action.  What might have been in the letter? Was he wise to pack and leave so quickly?  Did he have other options?  What did the look on his face signify? And so on.  The students’ experience of the drama and their ability to consider the issues raised, is enhanced in a way it would not be if we don’t take the opportunity to slow things down.   

As I expect to be told on the speed awareness workshop we can see much more clearly when we slow things down.