NWtheatricalism

Question 1. Imagine you were sitting in a small hall watching a production of the play you heard read in class. Then consider the filmed production found below. In what ways has the film maker revised Beckett's instructions given in the text to suit the medium of film and how does that change your reception of the play?

First off, the delivery of the lines during the video of the production of Play by Samuel Becket was much faster than could be possible in a regular staged performance of the production. If actors attempted to deliver at the speed in which they did during the movie onstage, they would most likely make multiple errors that would hinder the flow of the performance. Additionally, instead of the light being used as a means of signifying a shift in the character that is speaking, a quick camera zoom is utilized to replicate the same effect. Also, the filmmaker took the liberty of adding a background of similar urns behind the ones that have spoken parts in the play. The changes that are made to the play to adapt it to film are most noticeable in the area of the speed of the production. In this respect, it can be difficult to understand the dialogue, but the speed definitely has a powerful effect. Otherwise, the camera zoom and background did not fundamentally change anything other than the aesthetic of the production.

On Wednesday, Oct. 26 I suggested that you should compile a list of characteristics of Theatricalism drawn from the video material on the subject and from your readings. Please do that. You may tack the list to the end of the question on Beckett's Play that you have chosen to answer, if you wish.

Creativity: every aspect of the play is freshly envisioned to place particular emphasis on themes of the play. Non-traditional narrative: the story may be told in a way that is unusual or nonlinear, such as shifting points of view Absurdity: there is an element of the fantastical or simply something that would not usually occur in reality in the works. Freedom: the play is not as rigid in its interpretations as realist works. Symbolism: the lack of defined parameters means the audience must look for dual meanings and representations in the play. Imagery: The use of strong images to grab the audience’s attention