Mr. Bingley characterization

[zaria]

Hi there! I think I need a bit of help. You see, my drama class decided to do Pride and Prejudice as one of our plays this semester and I landed the role of Mr Bingley. I was just kinda wondering if someone on here could help me out a bit with characterization and stuff along those lines... As well as informing me as to how the hell guys walk! I just can't get it. And I trip whenever I try to bow properly, but that's just a lack of balence and I must practice that, lol. So yeah... Anything that you think will help me would be awesome and greatly appreciated!

Thank you!!

[mrslizzydarcy]

What do you mean by "how do guys walk?" Do you mean back then?

I HIGHLY sugest you watch the movies. There is a 5 hour mini-series with Colin Firth (you could skip to the scenes with Bingley, he's not in most of them)

There's also the newer version with Keira Knightly. Both Bingleys are very good, although both are a little over the top, IMHO.

The biggest suggestion I could give you is to be very relaxed, this would play well in contrast to the stiff reserved character of Darcy. Remember, you are the guy that everyone likes and nobody hates, but your not a simpering sniveling idiot. Darcy wouldn't like you if you were. You are intelligent. But, unlike Darcy who studies the flaws in others, you study how to make others happy by being geniunely interested in them as a person, not just as a character study.

Hope that helps! Break a leg!

[zaria]

Thank you so much for the advice! And yeah, since I first posted this, I HAVE gone out and bought a copy of Pride and Prejudice for myself, lol. Thanks again!

[Danika_Valin]

My advice for portraying Bingley on the stage (and you don't have to follow it, but I'm just putting it out there):

- Whatever you are doing, walking/sitting/standing still, have good posture and put on an air of pride & dignity

- While Bingley is a gentleman, he is also extremely kind-hearted and thoughtful. Pay attention to what the other characters are saying on stage and make slight (very slight) gestures to show that you are being attentive. Don't turn your head abruptly when somebody speaks, but maybe nod your head slightly or at least look in their direction.

- If you have a line where you are reproaching another character, maybe when you criticizing Darcy, say it frankly but with a bit of hesitation. Bingley wants to be everyone's friend and would feel uneasy saying anything that would put them down.

-When in doubt of what to do, mirror Jane. Bingley is very much the male counterpart of Jane.