Like many fiction novels, plays have also been a big part of literature and have been around for not only decades but also centuries. Plays tell a story, a story that a reader could then see with their own eyes. Plays not only entertain a viewer’s eyes, but plays can also entertain a viewer’s mind and make them think critically. Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s play Into the Woods is an example of this. If a reader or viewer were to reader or view Into the Woods in a critical way, they might be able to view it in a performance studies way. A viewer could consider the text in relation to their aspects of performance, or any kind of analysis that focuses mainly on the study of performance (Alton, Performance, 1). This theory is perfect for Into the Woods and many other plays because they are text that then are created into a physical performance. …show more content…
Looking at the first question, a viewer might suggest that the performance was easier to watch than reading the text was, because the in a performance a viewer could see what was happening than just trying to imagine what was happening as they read the text. For example, at the beginning of the text the “I wish” scene for a reader it might have been easier to watch that seen play out in front of them than to just read it as the text keeps jumping from one character to the next. Looking at the next question of whether the characters are aware of the audience or not, the view would have to look closely at the play itself. They would have to decide the actions of the characters shows that they know they are being
In this essay I shall concentrate on the plays 'Road' by Jim Cartwright and 'Blasted' by Sarah Kane with specific reference to use of language and structure of dialogue as examples of dramatic techniques.
Theatrical performance is vital not only to the presentation of Hamlet and Othello, but it is vital to each of the play's respective stories. Several key characters control, manipulate, or script a theatrical performance of their own. Through subtle suggestion and explicit or implicit storytelling, Shakespeare's use of theatrical performance within his own plays underscores the subversive power of the theater.
Plays at this time were a representation of life. People, at this time, did not have modern visual luxuries upon which to garner entertainment. Plays, as well as playwrights, were supposed to bring life to the people and life to the story,
The play that I went to see for this reaction paper was The Addams Family musical. I saw this show on May 27, at 8:00 PM. This production was put on by The Little Theatre of Norfolk. This paper will include an over view of the play through the four critical lenses, performance and technical aspects.
Over the course of his career, Brecht developed the criteria for and conditions needed to create Epic Theatre. The role of the audience can be likened to that of a group of college aged students or intellectuals. Brecht believed in the intelligence of his audience, and their capacity for critical analysis. He detested the trance-like state that an Aristotelian performance can lure the audience into. Plays that idealize life and humanity are appealing to an audience, and this makes it easy for them to identify with the hero, they reach a state of self oblivion. The spectator becomes one with the actor, and experiences the same fantastical climax that is unattainable in real life.
The book by James Lapine and the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim’s musical, Into the Woods greatly compare and contrast with one another. I love how both elements drive along the story and keep it moving forward. Lets look at the first scene for example. We have a narrator overlapping with the music and speaking parts of the characters. It catches the audiences attention and leads to smooth transitions.The music intertwines the fairtale plots that are originally written by the Brothers Grimm, but James Lapine incorporates their plots for Into the Woods into a musical adaptation that makes sense and explores themes surrounding each characters choices, desires, and the resulting consequences. Without the storyline being rewritten the music and lyrics wouldn't make sense.
Not all plays are character-driven, in fact a great many are not. So if the characters are not what keep the audience intrigued, well then what does? There are many possible answers to this question. Paper Wheat uses the history of a group of people, a specific message commenting on a time period, spectacle elements such as song and dance, and the genre of comedy to keep its audience both engaged and entertained.
In the course of human history, man has managed to do some really dumb things. Whether it’s because we lack sufficient knowledge, make a mistake, or are just too stubborn to use sound judgement, dumb decisions are made every day by everyone. However, none have a greater level of stupidity than the choices made by the man in Jack London’s To Build a Fire. This is a story of pride, ignorance, and stupidity, which ultimately leads to the downfall of its main character. This short story is a caution against over confidence and unpreparedness, showing the harsh effects of both. Ultimately, it is an issue of man’s pride versus the harsh conditions of nature. It shows that one cannot simply overlook nature, because doing so can lead to the destruction
Theatre Journal 37.4 (1985): 426-439. Print. Wheeler, Kip. " Literary Terms and Definitions M." Literary Terms and Definitions "M" Carson-Newman University, n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.
The play that we read for this unit is Too Much Punch For Judy, by Mark Wheeller. It is a form of Verbatim Theatre, meaning that it is based on the spoken words of real people. This play is about the story of a young woman who kills her sister in an alcohol related accident. When I first read the play I couldn’t empathize with the story as I haven’t experienced such a shocking event before. In this essay I will describe, analyse and evaluate both my work and the work of other actors in my group, focusing on the mediums, elements and explorative strategies of Drama.
In this paper I will be providing examples to support and to argue with the concept of originality. I will be doing this by using Marvin Carlson’s interpretation of originality in the Haunted Stage, and supporting it with the concept of intertextuality. To expand my argument I will then introduce how those who believe in the concept of originality attempt to be original by moving away from contemporary aristotelian drama towards post-modernism. This is supported by performances like Pina Bausch’s Lilies of the Valley. Through further development I will then attempt to convey how Carlson’s belief that originality does not exist is solely based on the belief that you cannot have performance
reach into the ideas and themes of the play so we will have a good
The production attempt of displaying things in familiar way that is accurate to life. Costumes give a visual appealing sense of how people were likely to wear. Each character’s costume needs to match their class standing in the society that the people could have worn. Actions that done by the characters as a response because of something that has happened or due to the fact that they have a motive, is important to the play but have to be done in an understandable or reasonable way. Dialogue has to close to what someone say as if they are having a real life conversation. In the production that was so important to showcasing any play is portraying it something with as much accuracy to where it becomes hard to distinguish what could happen versus what is not really likely to happen. The more a production pays attention to details such as costumes, actions, and dialogue and the more the actors can succeed in performing a truthful
When discussing a drama, an individual’s first thought is of if the drama is a comedy or a drama. These are the two basic forms of categorizing drama, and it divides it in immense forms. Although you
Having each student act as a character in a production is a way for them to interact with each other, even if they are not portraying their own self. Not only does theater allow students to interact with one another, it is also a time where friendships are created. Being able to communicate with one another is important for students because students can effectively construct their knowledge by collaborating and considering others’ opinions. Although using theater in the classroom is not commonly used as an element to help students understand literature, it should be something to consider. Putting theater into class activities and assignments is unique and unexpected, which is something that students will pay more attention to. Reading a story and analyzing the text as a class is not as enjoyable, especially when it is a norm that is followed through majority of all school subjects. In Pamela Smith’s, “Interpreters Theatre: A Tool for Teaching Literature,” she attempts to demonstrate how decoding a story into a script can benefit a student’s understanding of literature. By