This Berkoff text study will demonstrate the following aspects of his Acting style:

• Expressionistic Mime
• Action Mime
• Staccato (short, sharp) movements
• Vocal dexterity to cope with complex language.

Decadence – an original play by Steven Berkoff

Background: (In brief – you can do your own further research)

A play more about British society than about love and fidelity, Decadence satirically explores the divide between the upper and working classes and the humanity beneath.

Decadence premiered at the New End Theatre, London, in July 1981.

Restaurant scene from ‘Decadence’ – 2 ‘grotesque upper class characters

TASK: Answer the following 4 questions by finding examples in the clip. Do this in your Journal. [Use the sub-headings and question numbers]

Mime

1)Describe an example of action mime. (Use quotes to pin-point the moment – describe the action as if the reader wasn’t there – using appropriate language like quick – slow etc)

2) How would you describe what the woman is doing in this piece?

She plays a MINOR role but she is working just as hard – discuss her mime (action or expressionistic?) Compare and discuss her change in body language and facial expression from the start to the end. What meaning do we, the audience, get from this?)

Vocal delivery  

3) Describe moments when the man plays with:

• elongating the words,
• emphasising the onomatopoeic sounds of words,
• using sound effects.

4) What does the man do to suggest getting full?

For EACH point –

• Describe / Analyse (how is it done?)
• Evaluate (how effective is it?)