Place and Space
Place and Space |
The place of a drama can be manipulated in two ways; firstly, the fictional setting and location of where the drama is occurring and secondly, the actual physical space it is being performed in (Strube, Behal & Davis, 2010). Dramatic meaning can be enhanced by choosing a specific place, general location or mood and atmosphere. This can be manipulated by factors such characters, props, technology and symbols. Throughout our devised performance we use a combination of these in each of our scenes. For each part of the performance a place for framing the action is formed and in some instances the place has been carefully selected to influence the dramatic meaning and the expectations of role and action. The opening scene is set in the actual space, in order to place emphasis on the fact the issues being explored in the drama are based on true events and are real issues. It also provokes the audience to empathise with the issues in the drama and consider what it would be like for people forced against their will, rather than sympathising with the characters in the performance. There is no specific setting or location; however, a mood and atmosphere is created, it is apparent that we are actors in the space, about to portray the lives of others and use didactism to strengthen the dramatic meaning. The space is then transformed for the second scene by creating characters within the space. The front of the space becomes a bedroom, this is created by the use of the magazine as a prop and also the narration of the story leads the audience to believe this. Through the actions of the characters, the back of the space then becomes the backstreets, a specific place is not signified but it is obvious through the events occurring that this is the general location. Place directly impacts and influences on the mood of the drama (Strube, et al. 2010). A good example of this is seen in the production Stockholm when the mood changes from light
The place of a drama can be manipulated in two ways; firstly, the fictional setting and location of where the drama is occurring and secondly, the actual physical space it is being performed in (Strube, Behal & Davis, 2010). Dramatic meaning can be enhanced by choosing a specific place, general location or mood and atmosphere. This can be manipulated by factors such characters, props, technology and symbols. Throughout our devised performance we use a combination of these in each of our scenes. For each part of the performance a place for framing the action is formed and in some instances the place has been carefully selected to influence the dramatic meaning and the expectations of role and action. The opening scene is set in the actual space, in order to place emphasis on the fact the issues being explored in the drama are based on true events and are real issues. It also provokes the audience to empathise with the issues in the drama and consider what it would be like for people forced against their will, rather than sympathising with the characters in the performance. There is no specific setting or location; however, a mood and atmosphere is created, it is apparent that we are actors in the space, about to portray the lives of others and use didactism to strengthen the dramatic meaning. The space is then transformed for the second scene by creating characters within the space. The front of the space becomes a bedroom, this is created by the use of the magazine as a prop and also the narration of the story leads the audience to believe this. Through the actions of the characters, the back of the space then becomes the backstreets, a specific place is not signified but it is obvious through the events occurring that this is the general location. Place directly impacts and influences on the mood of the drama (Strube, et al. 2010). A good example of this is seen in the production Stockholm when the mood changes from light
References: Balme, C. B. (2008). Spaces and Places. The Cambridge introduction to theatre studies 3, 47-62. Strube, H., Behal, M. & Davis, S. (2010). Dramatic languages: elements in drama. Dramatexts: Creative Practice for Senior Drama Students 1, 11-19. Burton, B. (2001). Key elements of drama. Living Drama 3rd ed 2, 103-117. Frantic Assembly Physical Theatre Company (2010) Stockholm, Bryrony Lavery, La Boite Theatre, Brisbane.