Japreet Samra. 12.2
How would you perform the role of Frank in part one of the play? And what audience response would you hope to achieve through your performance?
If I were playing the role of Frank, in part one of the play, I would concentrate on gradually getting the audience to feel sympathy for Frank.
When first introduced to Frank in scene one, he is with his owner Lord Are. To represent hierarchy and status of the classes I would sit upstage right whilst Are is standing downstage left. The language that Frank uses are less advanced as Are’s so this shows the lack of understanding and innocence of Frank.
The main performance skills that I am going to talk about are, Costume, Gestures, Levels, and Character relationship, Interaction with the set, facial expressions and Props.
Scene One:
- Costume: livery (slave’s uniform). Navy trousers, with what was a white shirt but has discoloured to a dull, dingy colour to show his lack of clothing. Rolled up sleeves this can represent that he is working hard. Black shoes with a hole at the toe. His hair ruffled and uncombed. A black blazer, not smart, a few rip, just to make it look like he was trying to look like a non working class.
- Gestures: When I first come on stage I would be walking with a broken posture. My back low but yet not to sloppy. In contrast to Are whose has an upright posture with a full frontal posture to the audience. I would probably be carrying something of Are’s as I walk n stage. My feet would be placed shoulder width apart.
- Levels: In this scene I am sitting down to show the hierarchy between Are and Frank. Here the audience would feel great sympathy for Frank, as they are able to recognise his great struggle in life.
- Character Relationship: Frank and Are have a servant and owner relationship. Are being the owner and Frank servant. Even though their relationship is one of class and status I don’t think that Are should refer to him as a slave.
- Interaction with the set: In this scene the set would be limited as it is the opening scene and would look effective with minimal set. There may be a few boxes, but I think it would look good if Frank stays sitting on the box the whole time whilst Are is standing walking slowly up and down the downstage area. The only time Frank goes to get up is when he offers Are the flower to smell and when he finally goes.
