First Squirrel Scene

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3) First Squirrel Scene

The power levels used in this scene are very obvious as it is acted out on the stairs. They show power levels because the higher up you are the more power it means you have. For the audience this is very useful as it is the shifts of power between the characters are obvious. As power changes they either move up the stairs, which represents an increase or get pushed down to show a power decrease.

Anne-Marie plays the character of Peter. During this scene she has to show that Peter firstly has a very high energy level. She does this by constantly moving about and responding quickly. Also, the gestures that she makes are very big and are often repeated. Another trait of Peter’s character that she has to adopt is his aggression. In this scene she shows this by pushing John down the stairs and issuing the challenge: ‘Who’s going to climb up there?’ It also shows John’s loss of power. She has to play a very intimidating character, and to further this effect she speaks loudly and positively.

Jamie plays the role of John. He has to show that he is a threat to Peter and he does this by overtaking Peter in the power levels. His attitude is not as forceful as Peter’s and as a result he gets respect. The fact that the other characters are not scared to argue back highlights this: Willie says, ‘Don’t keep on’. Although this is not an aggressive retort it shows a lack of fear that would not be the case with Peter.

I have to play the role of Willie. To show that Willie isn’t a very aggressive person I try to act scared of Peter. I do have quite a high energy level but I am not as powerful as Peter or John. I create this impression by hugging my arms as I run around giving a sense that I am quite soft. During this scene I keep low on the power levels and point at things enthusiastically. Camilla plays Raymond – a placid, sweet little boy with a stutter. In this scene she shows his lack of confidence and self-esteem by speaking in a very soft tone. The fact that she has so little to say also gives the audience further insight into Raymond’s personality. He is an easily lead boy and she portrays this by copying and agreeing with all the others.

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The pace of this scene starts off quite quickly as they begin to chase the squirrel: the cry of ‘A squirrel, a squirrel’ goes up. Then John and Raymond run in and as a result the pace slows down because they have to be greeted. It is important that this happens because it is their first entrance and they have to be introduced to the audience. As the characters start to get excited about the squirrel on ‘Have ya? Honest?’ the pace picks up again. As they progress through the scene it gradually gets higher and at the end – ...

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