Cain's Book Play Analysis
Cain's Book
Assignment
The Venue
-We went to see the performance of Cain's Book in The Arches Theatre Glasgow. The Arches is a venue I had never heard of before and when we arrived there I wasn't surprised why I hadn't as it isn't your typical area for a theatre venue. The Arches is situated in an under passage in the centre of Glasgow, surrounded by some odd shops and fast food places and one of the entrances to Cenral Station. The area is pretty run down looking, quite dark and dingy and an area I wouldn't feel very comfortable being in on my own. This is pretty fitting for the themes in Cain's book of drug use. The idea that sterotypical views of the locations assossiated with drugs and drug use are pretty dark and dingy and uncomfortable. …show more content…
The Arches stands out significantly from other theatres as it is so diversaly different, not just from the outside appearances and location, but when you get inside the change is surprising.
-When entering The Arches it is hard to believe that the outside and location is the same place. The venue is bright and spacious on the inside, very relaxed and inviting. Brightly lit with dimmed lighting, even the tables are lit from bulbs on the inside. The area is full of chairs and sofas, a gentle hum of peoples conversations fill the room. It is hard to determine exactly what this area is however. As you walk to the back of this room you look down into a cafe area and it becomes clear that The Arches is a very multi purpose venue. This seating area is where we all wait until the performance is announced.
-After visiting The Arches for this performance of Cain's Book, I decided to do some research into the venue itself as it stood out to me and I was interested to find out more about it.
In 1991, former Arches Artistic Director Andy Arnold realised the potential of the great cavernous space underneath Glasgow's Central Station. Twenty one years on The Arches has become one of Europe's leading cultural venues playing host to some of Britains biggest club nights, gigs and exciting new theatre. Along with visual arts exhabitions. People also are able to drop in for lunch at the cafe or drinks at the cafe bar.
It is clear The Arches isnt just your average theatre venue.
-The architecture within The Arches is very Victorian, which comes from what the venue used to be. The venue is 65,000 square feet of floor space which is spread over two floors and seven arches. The site of the venue was a previously derelict area below the Glasgow Central railway station. When the space was obtained by Andy Arnold, he intended it to be for the purposes of creating a theatre. Realising however the substantial funding that theatre productions require, Arnold decided to stage nightclub events to support his projects, and this practice continues to this day, the clubbing revenues helping to fund the array of events it hosts on a regular basis.
-When inside The Arches we picked up our tickets from the reception desk and were told to wait in the open area of sofas and chairs. It was difficult to imagine sitting here how this relaxed, almost retro style venue, could be harbouring a theatre space somewhere. After the performance was announced, the audience members were all guided to the theatre space. The walk to the theatre was short, however very ironically fitting again for the plays themes. We were guided a path which seemed to lead us further down the building, deeper underground. It was similar to outside, the same dark and dingy atmosphere and lighting. As we walked to the theatre we began to hear very obvious sounds of the trains from central station passing over our heads. This created a rumbling sensation and somehow added an interesting element to the performance we were about to see.
The Performance Space
-The way the audience entered the performance space was reasonably informal. The audience chatted amongst themselves as they entered the theatre. There was no allocated seats for this performance so there was a murmer of low chatting as people decided where they wished to sit.
-As the audience entered the theatre however, there was a small performance detail that was overlooked as the audience settled themselves. However as the chatter amongst the audience died down a little there was a clear voiceover playing. The voiceover only really becomes clear when the play begins and we recognize the voice as one of the characters in the 3 character play. The voiceover speaks of his drug use and the effects of these drugs, in a not so obvious way.
-The one thing that stood out to me instantly as I took my place in the audience was the Brechtian style set.
-Very minimal set and use of space.
-The relationship between the actors space and the audience is very close and personal. The acting area is not a stage, the acting takes place on the floor and the audience sit in raked seating. This lack of stage removes any sort of barrier between the actor and audience, making everything very open and on show. Almost a personal feeling between the actors and their audience. I realised after this performance that perhaps this more relaxed idea of theatre, without a stage and performed on the floor, gives a play a more one on one feeling.
-There is no curtain used in this performance of Cain's Book. The acting area is openly on show from the moment the audience walk in, right through till the end. This adds another element of interest to the performance.
-The visibility of the actors is very clear throughout the play. The fact the seating is raked helps ensure each audience member has a clear view of the acting area. Also, the use of light in the performance skill fully highlighted each character, making them even more clearly visible at times of importance. There was three characters within Cain's Book, they rarely interacted at all with one another on stage, so as they each spoke, they were illuminated by a single light source, ensuring all of the audiences focus was on
them.
-The acting space was reasonably informal, I think this again was due to the lack of stage and distance between actors and audience. It was a pleasant atmosphere.
The Set
-The set was very minimal and also very natural. There was a simple metal structure which represented a hut or shed of some kind, with no walls and a single light hanging from the frames roof down stage right. Centre stage there stood a long table and down stage left, an old fashioned style lamp on a table. This was all there was to the set. This set stayed the same throughout the play, never gaining or loosing items. The only time the set was used as representational was the use of the lamp on the table. At one point in the play it was turned at an angle to represent a dog. The lamp shade being the dogs head and table forming the dogs body. This was interesting to see how the simple set can be used for other purposes also. It clearly showed the Brecht influence.
-Cables are on show at the rear of the acting space. They have not attempted to be hidden or disguised.
-The set is not at all colourful for Cain's Book. There is actually no colour whatsoever in the set. Every item of the extremely minimal set is either grey or black. The lighting makes the set appear even darker. This lack of colour adds to the dreary, dull and dark atmosphere surrounding drug taking and the plays unfolding story.
Lighting
-The lighting for Cain's Book was not anything too complicated or specific. When the play opened, the lighting came from one single light source – the bulb hanging from the metal frame down stage right. This bright light ensured all focus was on the action In that corner, although there was nothing else happening on the stage, even if their was the lighting would ensure your focus would not stray from this one area of the stage. As the scene developed and another character entered from the back, this light inside the frame faded out completely and was replaced by another light to focus on the new character. The same process applied for the majority of the opening of the play whenever one of the three characters was speaking.
-I can imagine this only working for certain plays, such as Cain's Book, as there is next to no interaction between the characters, therefore this lighting can work in this case.
-On the rare occassions the characters interacted, the lighting was a more general wash of yellow light. This is the only time where the play doesn't feel quite as dull and serious, from something as simple as a change of light source.
-By using single light sources, such as the single light bulbs, the mood and atmosphere created is quite intense.
Sound
-There was little sound effects really used within Cain's Book, however there were a few. The first sound effect we experienced was the pre recorded voice over played as the audience settled themselves in their seats. I think the purpose of this was to begin to set the scene for us from the very beginning and reel us into the performance before it even begins. This sound effect is very natural as it is simply a voice, however serious the voice may sound.
-The only use of sound in Cain's Book was when the actors joined together to sing songs. These songs were infrequent but highly enjoyable throughout the play, added moments of light hearted humour and relief to the depressing topics dealt with and the seriousness. These songs were very repetative on purpose and made the audience laugh a bit, I think the purpose of them being to add a bit of relief to the serious play. Songs such as 'Carbon The Coppy Cat' and 'River Of Shit.'
Costume
-The costume for Cain's Book was very simple yet effective. All three of the characters wore exactly the same costumes, each adapted only slightly to show a bit of personality. Each character wore checked shirts and trousers, matching, all exactly the same.
-Again, the same as the set, these costumes are colourless and bland. The shirts are checked black and white with dark trousers and dark shoes. This creates a relationship between the costume and overall design concept. Being both very minimal and simple. No frills or colours, or anything particuarlly appealing for that matter.
-The fact that all three costumes are identical perhaps indicate the bond between the three of them – family bond.
-I feel that the costumes only add to the already gloomy atmosphere as the costumes are also so dull and bland. There is nothing to them that would add a better atmosphere.
Actor And Performance
-We are first introduced to the three characters one by one in their own monologue. One thing that instantly draws the audiences attention is the fact that the actors read from books. Cain's Book is based on a novel, and this appears to be what the characters are reading from. At first we are unaware whether this is for one scene only or not but as the play goes on it is clear that this is not the case and the books are a big talking point of the performance.
-The characters are completely separate from one another, they maintain a clear distance from one another for the majority of the play and make next to no eye contact. The Brecht influence is very obvious as the actors seem very detached from the play itself, still giving convincing performances, however addressing the audience rather than each other.
-The use of books in the performance interested me greatly as they used them, 'reading' from them, even although they are clearly very very familiar with the book.
-There is a use of slides on and off throughout the play. These slides were played to music and very informative, detailing information for the audience to read. This is very Brecht! It makes the audience think that this doesn't feel like your average play, which it isn't.
-
Assignment
The Venue
-We went to see the performance of Cain's Book in The Arches Theatre Glasgow. The Arches is a venue I had never heard of before and when we arrived there I wasn't surprised why I hadn't as it isn't your typical area for a theatre venue. The Arches is situated in an under passage in the centre of Glasgow, surrounded by some odd shops and fast food places and one of the entrances to Cenral Station. The area is pretty run down looking, quite dark and dingy and an area I wouldn't feel very comfortable being in on my own. This is pretty fitting for the themes in Cain's book of drug use. The idea that sterotypical views of the locations assossiated with drugs and drug use are pretty dark and dingy and uncomfortable. …show more content…
The Arches stands out significantly from other theatres as it is so diversaly different, not just from the outside appearances and location, but when you get inside the change is surprising.
-When entering The Arches it is hard to believe that the outside and location is the same place. The venue is bright and spacious on the inside, very relaxed and inviting. Brightly lit with dimmed lighting, even the tables are lit from bulbs on the inside. The area is full of chairs and sofas, a gentle hum of peoples conversations fill the room. It is hard to determine exactly what this area is however. As you walk to the back of this room you look down into a cafe area and it becomes clear that The Arches is a very multi purpose venue. This seating area is where we all wait until the performance is announced.
-After visiting The Arches for this performance of Cain's Book, I decided to do some research into the venue itself as it stood out to me and I was interested to find out more about it.
In 1991, former Arches Artistic Director Andy Arnold realised the potential of the great cavernous space underneath Glasgow's Central Station. Twenty one years on The Arches has become one of Europe's leading cultural venues playing host to some of Britains biggest club nights, gigs and exciting new theatre. Along with visual arts exhabitions. People also are able to drop in for lunch at the cafe or drinks at the cafe bar.
It is clear The Arches isnt just your average theatre venue.
-The architecture within The Arches is very Victorian, which comes from what the venue used to be. The venue is 65,000 square feet of floor space which is spread over two floors and seven arches. The site of the venue was a previously derelict area below the Glasgow Central railway station. When the space was obtained by Andy Arnold, he intended it to be for the purposes of creating a theatre. Realising however the substantial funding that theatre productions require, Arnold decided to stage nightclub events to support his projects, and this practice continues to this day, the clubbing revenues helping to fund the array of events it hosts on a regular basis.
-When inside The Arches we picked up our tickets from the reception desk and were told to wait in the open area of sofas and chairs. It was difficult to imagine sitting here how this relaxed, almost retro style venue, could be harbouring a theatre space somewhere. After the performance was announced, the audience members were all guided to the theatre space. The walk to the theatre was short, however very ironically fitting again for the plays themes. We were guided a path which seemed to lead us further down the building, deeper underground. It was similar to outside, the same dark and dingy atmosphere and lighting. As we walked to the theatre we began to hear very obvious sounds of the trains from central station passing over our heads. This created a rumbling sensation and somehow added an interesting element to the performance we were about to see.
The Performance Space
-The way the audience entered the performance space was reasonably informal. The audience chatted amongst themselves as they entered the theatre. There was no allocated seats for this performance so there was a murmer of low chatting as people decided where they wished to sit.
-As the audience entered the theatre however, there was a small performance detail that was overlooked as the audience settled themselves. However as the chatter amongst the audience died down a little there was a clear voiceover playing. The voiceover only really becomes clear when the play begins and we recognize the voice as one of the characters in the 3 character play. The voiceover speaks of his drug use and the effects of these drugs, in a not so obvious way.
-The one thing that stood out to me instantly as I took my place in the audience was the Brechtian style set.
-Very minimal set and use of space.
-The relationship between the actors space and the audience is very close and personal. The acting area is not a stage, the acting takes place on the floor and the audience sit in raked seating. This lack of stage removes any sort of barrier between the actor and audience, making everything very open and on show. Almost a personal feeling between the actors and their audience. I realised after this performance that perhaps this more relaxed idea of theatre, without a stage and performed on the floor, gives a play a more one on one feeling.
-There is no curtain used in this performance of Cain's Book. The acting area is openly on show from the moment the audience walk in, right through till the end. This adds another element of interest to the performance.
-The visibility of the actors is very clear throughout the play. The fact the seating is raked helps ensure each audience member has a clear view of the acting area. Also, the use of light in the performance skill fully highlighted each character, making them even more clearly visible at times of importance. There was three characters within Cain's Book, they rarely interacted at all with one another on stage, so as they each spoke, they were illuminated by a single light source, ensuring all of the audiences focus was on
them.
-The acting space was reasonably informal, I think this again was due to the lack of stage and distance between actors and audience. It was a pleasant atmosphere.
The Set
-The set was very minimal and also very natural. There was a simple metal structure which represented a hut or shed of some kind, with no walls and a single light hanging from the frames roof down stage right. Centre stage there stood a long table and down stage left, an old fashioned style lamp on a table. This was all there was to the set. This set stayed the same throughout the play, never gaining or loosing items. The only time the set was used as representational was the use of the lamp on the table. At one point in the play it was turned at an angle to represent a dog. The lamp shade being the dogs head and table forming the dogs body. This was interesting to see how the simple set can be used for other purposes also. It clearly showed the Brecht influence.
-Cables are on show at the rear of the acting space. They have not attempted to be hidden or disguised.
-The set is not at all colourful for Cain's Book. There is actually no colour whatsoever in the set. Every item of the extremely minimal set is either grey or black. The lighting makes the set appear even darker. This lack of colour adds to the dreary, dull and dark atmosphere surrounding drug taking and the plays unfolding story.
Lighting
-The lighting for Cain's Book was not anything too complicated or specific. When the play opened, the lighting came from one single light source – the bulb hanging from the metal frame down stage right. This bright light ensured all focus was on the action In that corner, although there was nothing else happening on the stage, even if their was the lighting would ensure your focus would not stray from this one area of the stage. As the scene developed and another character entered from the back, this light inside the frame faded out completely and was replaced by another light to focus on the new character. The same process applied for the majority of the opening of the play whenever one of the three characters was speaking.
-I can imagine this only working for certain plays, such as Cain's Book, as there is next to no interaction between the characters, therefore this lighting can work in this case.
-On the rare occassions the characters interacted, the lighting was a more general wash of yellow light. This is the only time where the play doesn't feel quite as dull and serious, from something as simple as a change of light source.
-By using single light sources, such as the single light bulbs, the mood and atmosphere created is quite intense.
Sound
-There was little sound effects really used within Cain's Book, however there were a few. The first sound effect we experienced was the pre recorded voice over played as the audience settled themselves in their seats. I think the purpose of this was to begin to set the scene for us from the very beginning and reel us into the performance before it even begins. This sound effect is very natural as it is simply a voice, however serious the voice may sound.
-The only use of sound in Cain's Book was when the actors joined together to sing songs. These songs were infrequent but highly enjoyable throughout the play, added moments of light hearted humour and relief to the depressing topics dealt with and the seriousness. These songs were very repetative on purpose and made the audience laugh a bit, I think the purpose of them being to add a bit of relief to the serious play. Songs such as 'Carbon The Coppy Cat' and 'River Of Shit.'
Costume
-The costume for Cain's Book was very simple yet effective. All three of the characters wore exactly the same costumes, each adapted only slightly to show a bit of personality. Each character wore checked shirts and trousers, matching, all exactly the same.
-Again, the same as the set, these costumes are colourless and bland. The shirts are checked black and white with dark trousers and dark shoes. This creates a relationship between the costume and overall design concept. Being both very minimal and simple. No frills or colours, or anything particuarlly appealing for that matter.
-The fact that all three costumes are identical perhaps indicate the bond between the three of them – family bond.
-I feel that the costumes only add to the already gloomy atmosphere as the costumes are also so dull and bland. There is nothing to them that would add a better atmosphere.
Actor And Performance
-We are first introduced to the three characters one by one in their own monologue. One thing that instantly draws the audiences attention is the fact that the actors read from books. Cain's Book is based on a novel, and this appears to be what the characters are reading from. At first we are unaware whether this is for one scene only or not but as the play goes on it is clear that this is not the case and the books are a big talking point of the performance.
-The characters are completely separate from one another, they maintain a clear distance from one another for the majority of the play and make next to no eye contact. The Brecht influence is very obvious as the actors seem very detached from the play itself, still giving convincing performances, however addressing the audience rather than each other.
-The use of books in the performance interested me greatly as they used them, 'reading' from them, even although they are clearly very very familiar with the book.
-There is a use of slides on and off throughout the play. These slides were played to music and very informative, detailing information for the audience to read. This is very Brecht! It makes the audience think that this doesn't feel like your average play, which it isn't.
-