A few years ago, after a theater show, someone came up to me and said something kind. She told me she was impressed by how well Marina and I had learned our script. She meant it as a compliment. It is the worst review we have ever had.
She saw the script. That was the problem. If she could see it, so could everyone else in that room. We had spent months making our lines smooth, and smooth is exactly what gave us away.
Here is how the show used to open. I want you to read it the way that audience heard it, generously, because on paper it looks fine. It might even look good.
Marina And seven million species of living creatures.
James What do we all have in common? What connects us all?
Marina Communication.
And a little later, over footage of wildlife:
Marina To the extraordinary hearing of dogs, and the unearthly camouflage of a chameleon.
You’ll probably find those lines perfectly serviceable. Polished, even. Many performers would be happy with them. We were.
Now look again, this time at who is speaking, and why.