How to play a drunk...

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:29am

Okay so I know this is random. But anyone have any suggestions about this? I am going to a callback where a scene I have calls for me to play a guy who is drunk. I don't want to play him over the top, but how do you perform this? I know it's a delicate subject to tackle but any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[OnMyWay]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:32am

just get drunk before the callback.

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:40am

har har har...i'm being serious here.

[kyle.]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:45am

have you ever been drunk before?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:47am

Just relax.. A LOT.

Slow everything down and slur your words slightly.

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:52am

I mean yes I have been drunk before. Maybe I should have some shots of tequila and rehearse the scene. LOL.

[DG]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:53am

Here's the key - put yourself in the mindset of being really drunk, but then try to hide it. People who are really drunk are usually trying to pass themselves off as sober.

[kyle.]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:11am

it probably wouldnt hurt to drink a little and rehearse the scene. think like the character. maybe record yourself and what you sound like. why not?

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:18am

I remember at a Drama convention in Sacramento, CA, one of the auditors suggested not to play drunk; play attempting to be sober. I have no idea; that's just what he said.
Updated On: 2/21/07 at 03:18 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:27am

I'd go method on this one...seriously.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:32am

Don't tell us you've never been drunk on stage before?

[achancetofly]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:36am

I agree with those who have said not to act drunk, but act trying to show that you're sober.

Think about it. When you're drunk, most of your time is spent trying to convince both yourself and others that you aren't as drunk as you are, and that is usually what results in the things you find funny later (trying to stand up and wobbling). When you're drunk, you're trying to play off sobriety, so you really need to concentrate on that element of it while on stage.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:40am

Just remember that writers never write a drunk scene to show a drunk. They do it because it's a moment where the character is likely to be more honest than usual. So, I would focus on that aspect--the wanting to finally get something out that you were too afraid to otherwise.

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 4:21am

"Here's the key - put yourself in the mindset of being really drunk, but then try to hide it. People who are really drunk are usually trying to pass themselves off as sober."

Bingo. Drunk people are struggling to appear sober.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 7:58am

Also, raise and lower your voice at different times, don't keep it steady.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 8:09am

I find that drunk people speak very precisely because they don't want to slur - I guess it depends on the degree of drunkeness - if you are about to pass out or throw up, the words get slurry but if you are "tight" and are still trying to hide it, you tend to put a lot of effort into forming words - that makes the pattern slower. I like the idea of recording various speech patterns and seeing which one seems drunk - especially with no visual cues.

Posted: 2/21/07 at 10:37am

Kean's got it. Be very precise. Make every gesture pursposeful. Over pronounce your words. Thinkabout every action before you take it.

[KQuill]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 10:42am

Go watch Denis O'Hare in A SPANISH PLAY. He plays a drunk, and does so exceptionally.

Uta Hagen also talks about how to do it in RESPECT FOR ACTING.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 10:50am

Yeah, the usual advice with this is to pretend you are actually drunk and do all you can to hide it.

[sidjones09]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 10:50am

If you're in NYC, go see Liev Schreiber in 'Talk Radio'. He plays a great drunk.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 10:56am

A professor of mine told me a way to create the "sensation" of being drunk - if you don't really want to drink - was to close your eyes and spin for ten seconds. Open your eyes - breath in and try to walk as calmly and normally as you can. It's a pretty good fascimile of the feeling.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 11:27am

"Here's the key - put yourself in the mindset of being really drunk, but then try to hide it. People who are really drunk are usually trying to pass themselves off as sober."

Exactly right! The point is, you're TRYING to be "un-drunk"

Wait...did that make any sense?

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 11:27 AM

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 11:34am

Agreed with what most people said. When actors try to "act drunk," it gets too comical and over done. Subtle goes a long way

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:40pm

jrb is absolutely right. We are currently working on a play where a character got drunk because he is upset with himself - and through drunkenness he is exposing his weakness and vulnerability.

Unless you are auditioning for a comedy in which being drunk is the joke. Then you are better off just getting smashed.

[singtopher]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 6:20pm

Not that I am the next Stanislavski, but did play Hines in PJ Game last year.

For me I always had to remember to be sloppy, and slur. I also used to spin in circles just before going on. Granted, this sort of drunk was played for comedy than anything else.

I hope this helps, and best of luck.