Metamorphosis Coursework
Molly-Anne Noakes 1299
‘Metamorphosis’ –
Steven Berkoff
Coursework
Social, Political, Cultural & Historical
Non-Verbal communication
Practitioner
Language
Character Analysis
Vocal awareness
Visual, Spatial, Oral
Interpretation
‘My Mother Said I Never Should’ –
Charlotte Keatley
Social, Political, Cultural & Historical
Non-Verbal Communication
Language
Vocal Awareness
Character Analysis
Theatre Review
Word Count : 2672
Non-Verbal Communication & Practitioner
Disconnecting the mind from the body non-verbal communication in metamorphosis is vital for creating the surreal absurdity Berkoff is known for.
Berkoff uses some of practitioner Bertolt Brecht’s most important principles. The ‘verfrendungseffekt’ (defamiliarisation effect) allows Berkoff to prevent the audience form passively watching the play by detaching it from reality. Also Brecht’s theory of ‘Gestus’ uses non-verbal communication to express the inexpressible with physical gestures and attitudes.
Both Brecht and Berkoff thought ‘Bourgeois’ theatre meaningless and docile made only for the well off, to please aesthetically. They wanted to challenge this stereotypical convention of theatre by changing the attitudes and emotions of the audience; engaging them on and epithetical and intellectual level
To put gestus into practice we performed the lodger scene. Three people were to play three lodgers but acting as one. We exaggerated all movements and moved in sync as if we were one person. This exaggeration displays the greed and vulgarity of the lodgers. The lodgers can also be interpreted as Berkoffs ideas of society on divergence as Gregor does not physically conform to what is socially acceptable. As what the lodgers say isn’t particularly rude, caricature like facial expressions can convey their gluttony and discourtesy.
Vocal Awareness
Taking into account that Berkoff is notorious for Brecht inspired ‘Epic Theatre’ and heavily stylized plays; we focused on relaxing our vocal chords so
‘Metamorphosis’ –
Steven Berkoff
Coursework
Social, Political, Cultural & Historical
Non-Verbal communication
Practitioner
Language
Character Analysis
Vocal awareness
Visual, Spatial, Oral
Interpretation
‘My Mother Said I Never Should’ –
Charlotte Keatley
Social, Political, Cultural & Historical
Non-Verbal Communication
Language
Vocal Awareness
Character Analysis
Theatre Review
Word Count : 2672
Non-Verbal Communication & Practitioner
Disconnecting the mind from the body non-verbal communication in metamorphosis is vital for creating the surreal absurdity Berkoff is known for.
Berkoff uses some of practitioner Bertolt Brecht’s most important principles. The ‘verfrendungseffekt’ (defamiliarisation effect) allows Berkoff to prevent the audience form passively watching the play by detaching it from reality. Also Brecht’s theory of ‘Gestus’ uses non-verbal communication to express the inexpressible with physical gestures and attitudes.
Both Brecht and Berkoff thought ‘Bourgeois’ theatre meaningless and docile made only for the well off, to please aesthetically. They wanted to challenge this stereotypical convention of theatre by changing the attitudes and emotions of the audience; engaging them on and epithetical and intellectual level
To put gestus into practice we performed the lodger scene. Three people were to play three lodgers but acting as one. We exaggerated all movements and moved in sync as if we were one person. This exaggeration displays the greed and vulgarity of the lodgers. The lodgers can also be interpreted as Berkoffs ideas of society on divergence as Gregor does not physically conform to what is socially acceptable. As what the lodgers say isn’t particularly rude, caricature like facial expressions can convey their gluttony and discourtesy.
Vocal Awareness
Taking into account that Berkoff is notorious for Brecht inspired ‘Epic Theatre’ and heavily stylized plays; we focused on relaxing our vocal chords so