How Does Look Back In Anger Engage The Audience

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Neil Studd        How Does Look Back In Anger Engage The Audience        22.10.02

John Osbourn is regarded by many as having revolutionised British theatre with his 1950’s composition of ‘Look Back In Anger’. Prior to this most plays took the subject of perfect problems in perfect lives and dwelled upon upper class relationships in a comical and fairy tale manner. Oscar Wild’s ‘The importance of being Earnest’ being a key example of this. In the end all issues would be resolved and the audience would feel satisfied that everyone was to live happily ever after. Osbourn shocked his 50’s audience with his masterpiece based upon lower class relationships being entwined with violence and challenging the then widely accepted issue of masculine supremacy.

Since ‘Look Back In Anger’  it is a new style of play, it needs to engage the audience from the very beginning. This is done in a number of ways, most challenging the audiences idea of what a good play should include and makes an equally brilliant play with totally original material.  

The first abnormal thing an audience would  become aware of is the set, a large one roomed flat. Although being big there is a long list of furniture in place leaving the living space rather small thus creating a feeling of claustrophobia. This is accentuated by having only two small low windows. This apprehension of the outside world would reflect upon the audiences expectations of the characters making them think they will be held back with their feelings and emotions. The second irregular observation the audience would make is the closeness of the double bed to the actual living area. This would shock an audience of the time as the bed, which starkly reflects sex, should be kept to ones self and not protrude into daily life. This also contrasts with the first point about the characters holding back their emotions. It makes the environment contradict the expectations of the characters and makes them seem forthcoming. The audience would want to watch on to find out which one is true. It also draws parallels with the confusion and irregularity in the lives of the characters.

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In the film the set is very contrasting to the one room in the play. It is still a flat but it has three or four rooms. This lowers the sense of claustrophobia. I think this has been done purely for the fact that the film was made years after the play and this would have been the equivalent to a one roomed flat in 1950. If a new version of the film was to be made today it may be set in a small council house.

Down right of the stage is a heavy chest of ...

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