Original Production – Berkoff
Production 1 (Philip Engleheart.com)
2 –Icelandic Production – Lyric Hammersmith 20
3- Dance Production – Royal Opera House – UK
Berkoff’s acting style and his design of sets has often been described as “Expressionistic”.
German Expressionism in cinema (take some notes in your Journal) – what can be translated into a theater style?
Try and identify and record what the ‘reason / rationale’ is for working ‘expressionistically. What is it concerned with communicating and what is it not concerned with?
Look at the 3 pictures and identify the ‘expressionistic’ elements of the set.
Pick 2 moments EACH where these ‘expressionistic elements’ could be used in the play ‘METAMORPHOSIS’
How can symbols and emotions be represented on a set ?
Think Gregor’s Room – The Samsa’s living room – what do these places symbolise – how do you show that in materials, colours, set dressing and props?
Identify the 4 different design jobs that could come up in the exam.
Why is EACH aspect of design necessary? [What does it do for the audience or production?] SPEND A FEW MINS CONSIDERING EACH.
FUNCTIONAL design – ?
EXPRESSIVE design – ?
What is the difference?
List as much specialist vocab as you can to help when discussing EACH design area. (E.g: spotlights, cue, instrumental sound, backdrops, etc)
Where/How could it be used in the play? [Find 3 moments where a design element would really help the story telling – eg: when Gregor finally opens the door a shaft of light can pour into the living room.]
(Explain it) Draw the set and label it on plain A4 paper and stick in.
Justify it (using Berkoff’s own words and yours)
Set location (upstage etc)
Style: Expressionistic / Naturalistic / Non-naturalistic
Set construction:
Set dressing (things you add to the basic structure (shelves, pictures etc)
Cyclorama (white cloth across back of stage – for lights to be projected against.
Shadow screen
Gauze (material that is transparent if a light is shone from behind but which is opaque if light is shone from in front (can be painted or projected upon)
THIS IS YOUR INCLASS QUESTION;
BE CAREFUL: Just because it says props and accessories doesn’t mean you need to be tempted to make this into a naturalistic style production. Think about how Berkoff does it.
You can say that Berkoff (and therefore YOU) won’t use any. Then go onto say HOW he/you WOULD do it.
OR
You can modify what Berkoff does – whilst acknowledging he does it THIS WAY you can say how YOU WOULD DO IT. Could costume and props be used symbolically? Think colour of costume.
WARNING: Don’t just be different for differences sake! Your ideas MUST WORK for the whole play and be JUSTIFIED.
Why not just have actors in ‘rehearsal blacks’? (Berkoff did in 1969)
Copy and paste some for Gregor.
