Sean OCaseys "Shadow of a Gunman". How would you perform the role of Mr. Gallogher in Act One of the play in order to create comedy for your audience?

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Khadija Saye

How would you perform the role of Mr. Gallogher in Act One of the play in order to create comedy for your audience?

Sean O’Casey’s "Shadow of a Gunman" is set May of 1920 in Dublin. This is a period which coincides with the ’War of Independence’ something which would have greatly affected the residents of Dublin at the time. As a result of this, I think it’s important that each character has an element of disturbed fear and constant insecurity regarding their outcome. However, through Mr. Gallogher’s fear and nervousness I would like to create comedy through his speech, appearance and physicality.

For Mr. Gallogher, this is particularly true as he’s a man who I would want to depict as frail and timid. His entrance is shy and I would choose to take one step inside the door before pausing as if he was insulting Seumas and Davoren by stepping and further. A natural hanging of my head would also be compulsory in reflecting my nervousness and anxiety. I would also be holding the letter of topic is my hand and sub-consciously pressing it and folding it with fidgeting and energetic fingers. As Mrs. Henderson introduces me. "This is Mr. Gallicker”. I would look up and take a little baby step forward whilst taking off my hat out of courtesy and politeness. As Mr. Gallogher I would wear large magnifying glasses so that I could use a constant characteristic to blink and push them further up the bridge of my nose at the times where Mrs. Henderson mentions the name "Mr. Gallicker".

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As I say his first spoken line I would rush forward to join her side quickly and with little steps before starting to say "You’re right Mrs. Henderson, perfectly right". To say this I would use a high-pitched voice and would stutter over the beginning of words. I would, of course, require a thick Irish accent and this would be accompanied by a rapid and fumbling pace and a quiet volume. As I start to read the letter I would attempt to frantically straighten it out after my previous fiddling by pulling each of the four corners firmly, and ...

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