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Advice for teachers -
Theatre Studies

Unit 3 - Area of Study 2: Interpreting a script

Outcome 2

Outline concepts and ideas for a creative interpretation of excerpts from a script and explain how these could be realised in a theatre production.

Examples of lear​ning activities

  • Brainstorm possible ways of recontextualising a script excerpt/s; select one possibility and briefly describe how one or two production roles could be used in the production to communicate meaning.
  • Annotate a script excerpt/s to identify ways in which language is used to create meaning or effect in the excerpt/s. Use elements of theatre composition to articulate your thoughts.
  • Research imagery that could be used as stimulus for building a character/s from a script excerpt/s.
  • Describe how an interpretation of a script excerpt/s might vary depending on the performance space used.
  • Annotate a script excerpt/s to show how characteristics of a theatrical style could be realised in an interpretation of the excerpt/s.
  • Consider a script excerpt/s and associated stimulus material and outline three concepts that could underpin a creative vision for its production.
  • Annotate a script excerpt/s to show how selected production roles could be used to emphasise and contrast the moods or emotions, e.g. humour, pathos, tension.
  • Analyse how themes are developed in a script excerpt/s.

Example icon for advice for teachers 

​​Detailed example

Imagining theatrical possibilities

This example uses the script for the 1979 musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, which was based on the 1973 play by Christopher Bond.

Background 

Resources: previously unseen script excerpt/s, stimulus material (images, diagrams, contextual information, plot synopsis).

Themes: revenge, obsession, love, class struggle, insanity, relationship between evil and rage, the systems of justice.

Setting: most of the story is set in locations in and around 19th-century London, including the harbour, a judge’s home, Fleet Street, an insane asylum, a pie shop and the barber’s shop above it.

Key character types: street traders, shop traders, court officials and manservants, sailors, beggars, insane asylum inmates, customers.

Theatrical style/s: Music theatre

This musical was originally written and performed as a piece of music theatre. Sondheim is considered the most important composer and lyricist of the contemporary Broadway musical, having progressed the style from the traditional musical of the 1950s and ’60s into a complex and sophisticated genre.

Images: collect a range of images from previous productions and other material relating to the themes and context of the work. If possible, include images showing set, costume, make-up, properties, lighting, use of theatre technologies and so on.

Script excerpt/s: select a scene or scenes for analysis; for example, ‘Fogg’s Asylum’ and ‘City on Fire’.

Tasks

As a class, research the context, brainstorm theatrical possibilities for interpreting the scene excerpt/s and explore how the elements of theatrical composition could be developed in this scene excerpt/s.

Individually, select a production area and complete the following:

Acting

  • Choose one character from the play and describe two key characteristics evident in the excerpt.
  • Describe three strategies you could use to develop the character.
  • Explain two ways you might interpret this character in the excerpt/s.

Direction
  • Explain your directorial vision for interpreting this excerpt/s.
  • Based on your directorial vision, describe key dramatic moment/s in this excerpt/s.
  • With reference to your directorial vision for this interpretation, explain two ways in which your work as a director would enhance the work of another production area.

Costume OR Make-up OR Props

  • Explain your design concept/s for this interpretation of the script excerpt/s.
  • Create three designs that could be appropriate for your design concept/s.
  • Annotate two of the three designs.

Set

  • Explain your concept/s for the set design for this interpretation of the script excerpt/s, including how the set design will be appropriate for the stage and/or venue to be used.
  • Draw a set design for a key dramatic moment/s in your interpretation of this excerpt/s.
  • Annotate your design/s.

Lighting

  • Explain your design concept/s for interpreting the script excerpt/s.
  • Identify a key dramatic moment/s in this excerpt/s and describe the lighting you would apply.
  • Create annotated illustration/s to support your written response/s.

Sound

  • Explain your design concept/s for this interpretation of a script excerpt/s.
  • Identify a key dramatic moment/s in this interpretation and describe the sound or theatre technologies you would apply.
  • Create annotated illustration/s to support your written response.