The plays that we did in class were all different from each other in style and genre. The isms were different in each play, which drives the play in different directions. Overall, it was interesting on how we went through the plays in different techniques, performance styles, backgrounds and mindsets.
Genre
Because the 'isms' were different, the plays have different motives and styles therefore different directions. For example, the 'Doll's House' is based on realism and feminism while 'Measures taken' is based on Marxism. One is focused on political issues while the other is based on everyday life. Each plays are directed to different audiences. 'Doll's House' is directed to females in family household while 'Measures taken' is directed to people who are interested in politics in those times of the day. 'Waiting for Godot' is an absurdist play, somewhat similar to Doll's House in presenting reality to the audience but in a very straightforward, 'wake-up', 'in-your-face' manner. 'Waiting for Godot' presents reality in a symbolic way rather than the aesthetic way. 'The Crucible' written by Miller, who wants to portray the idea of McCarthyism through unnatural and magical means. Every play is symbolic and has hidden meaning in varying degree, especially in 'Waiting in Godot'. The very fact that it is an absurdist play has the notion of making a fool out of you, or at least making u feel that this is absurd.
Styles
The atmosphere of the plays varies. Imagine that they are
atoms in a space or room:
Doll’s house – fluid, flowy with a moderate speed. Then it
gets a little faster, starting to collide into one another with impact until it gets to the highest tension. Almost increasing the heat of the surrounding, where the
kinesthetic speed of the atoms gets faster. It is as if the Water molecules transform into air molecules. Tension is build gradually, dynamically and dramatically. The space is small and confined because it is taken in a small house.
Measure Taken – The atom’s speed is almost like a marching style.
It goes in a constant maybe rigid robotic marching. It is very rhythmic in action and speed, even for the way of speaking. There are many commands and choppy words and movements to it. Space is also confined or rather there are many rooms that the atoms can go to fill in with. It is up to the audience to choose which space they want to fill.
Waiting for Godot - The atom's speed varies a lot in this play. It maybe spastic, jolting at some movements. Drugged movements. Atoms collides very little. Dull colour. Space is unlimited, free for atoms to roam around. In this play, it is subjected to audience' preference, whether they could take the 'face-smacking', absurdism of this play.
The Crucible - Darker atmosphere. Dull and cold. Atoms move slowly and occasional collides at each other. Tension is random and explodes anytime. It is also quite difficult to understand and grasp the meaning of the play because magic, witchcraft are involved here. It represents something. It is symbolic. Idea of McCarthyism is used to fight against USA's accusations against the communists.
What I like
I actually like the absurdist play, 'Waiting for Godot'. The acting styles and techniques are really different from the rest and it is really interesting. The way the actor stands, walks, sits, takes off his hat or boots. The way he speaks is also different. It is not so much of speech that we use as a means of communication. It is now the symbols, gestures, actions that have great importance in communicating the message as well. There are now more emphasis on the other factors rather than just using words to deliver the message.
But at the same time, I like simplicity of 'Doll's House'. It is straightforward in that the audience understands it very well. There is not much of a extraction of hidden meaning compared to the other plays. It leaves you thinking and also applies to me in my life, where I am now. It depends on my mood. It is just some times where you want to just watch simple plays on some days. =D
What I do not like
I absolutely do not like 'Measures Taken'. I find it too boring because of its rigidity and rhythmic movement that imitates after robots. It presents different views of political parties and feeds audience with political messages. The agenda is to get people arise against the Nazis. However, I do understand that the context now and in the past is different. They face the Nazis and we do not face the Nazis, so our feelings are not stirred up by these kind of plays. But I wouldn't want to pay to watch these kind of plays.
I find it difficult to understand 'The Crucible', because of the involvement of magic and the spiritual realm. The atmosphere here is quite dreadful because tension is almost everywhere. There are alot of accusations and dark meanings to it that I do not like. Too many accusations may not provide a direction for the audience because it is unresolved.
What I like
I actually like the absurdist play, 'Waiting for Godot'. The acting styles and techniques are really different from the rest and it is really interesting. The way the actor stands, walks, sits, takes off his hat or boots. The way he speaks is also different. It is not so much of speech that we use as a means of communication. It is now the symbols, gestures, actions that have great importance in communicating the message as well. There are now more emphasis on the other factors rather than just using words to deliver the message.
But at the same time, I like simplicity of 'Doll's House'. It is straightforward in that the audience understands it very well. There is not much of a extraction of hidden meaning compared to the other plays. It leaves you thinking and also applies to me in my life, where I am now. It depends on my mood. It is just some times where you want to just watch simple plays on some days. =D
What I do not like
I absolutely do not like 'Measures Taken'. I find it too boring because of its rigidity and rhythmic movement that imitates after robots. It presents different views of political parties and feeds audience with political messages. The agenda is to get people arise against the Nazis. However, I do understand that the context now and in the past is different. They face the Nazis and we do not face the Nazis, so our feelings are not stirred up by these kind of plays. But I wouldn't want to pay to watch these kind of plays.
I find it difficult to understand 'The Crucible', because of the involvement of magic and the spiritual realm. The atmosphere here is quite dreadful because tension is almost everywhere. There are alot of accusations and dark meanings to it that I do not like. Too many accusations may not provide a direction for the audience because it is unresolved.
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