'Woman in Black'- drama coursework
Response phase The 'Woman in Black' was written by Susan Hill in 1983, but was first published by Hamish Hamilton in 1983 as a hardback book. Most of the ideas for the 'Woman in Black' came from M.R James. In 1989, The 'Woman in Black' went onto television as a film thanks to a television writer called Nigel Kneal. In 1987, it became a stage play, and was first performed in Scarborough at the Theatre-by-the-sea. Then in 1989, the stage play moved to the Fortune theatre in London's west end. A young solicitor goes to stay at a house on the Nine lives causeway, and experiences lots of strange and scary noises and haunting as he goes through some of Mrs Drablows papers. The main haunting noise he hears is of a horse and cart that crashed, followed on by the severe screaming of a young child and a woman. One day Mr Kipps goes to a funeral, and sees a woman dressed in black with a pale and wasted face, standing amongst a group of young children. Mr Kipps realises there is more to Alice Drablow then he thought. In Crythin Gifford, nobody is happy to talk about the history of Mrs Drablow or the woman in black, for when they tried to find out, it caused them great pain and fear. When the solicitor talks to Mr Kipps, he finds out that Jennet Humfrye, sister to Mrs Drablow had a child, but could not look after it. So the baby boy was adopted by Mrs Drablow and her husband, who both
Discussing a play based on Mary Shelleys book Frankenstein.
Frankenstein Our drama group watched a play based on Mary Shelley's book "Frankenstein" on 29th November 2006, which took place in the Regent's School, Pattaya. It was directed by Paul Stebbings, an artist director of TNT theatre Britain and The American Drama Group Europe. The production "Frankenstein" was about a young and mad scientist who tries to create a life form from dead human body parts. He tries to do what no other human being has never achieved before. Once, he had completed his objective, Frankenstein was terrified by the resulting look of his creation. The innocent, child-like monster was abandoned by his master and subsequently misjudged by the community. This tragedy that the scientist's creation suffered under, turned him into a 'killer-monster'. In the end of the play, the scientist was punished: his beloved wife dies through a bullet that was meant for the monster. Frankenstein was devastated due to the loss of his partner, therefore he tried to bring her back to life as he did for the monster. He succeeded. However Elizabeth had the same features as the monster: she had no idea how the world is functioning - she was as a newborn. Elizabeth had a choice to make between Frankenstein and the monster. As the punishment for his actions, Elizabeth chooses the monster. The director makes the old-fashioned myth futuristic through using machinery as props. This
How has your reading of J.B Priestley’s “ An Inspector Calls” been enhanced by Stephen Daldry’s production at the Garrick Theatre?
How has your reading of J.B Priestley's " An Inspector Calls" been enhanced by Stephen Daldry's production at the Garrick Theatre? Written by Sarah Keeling 10p Year 10 has been to see " An Inspector Calls" at the Garrick Theatre in London on the 28th September. In year 9, the year all read the play script at school and now we have been asked to compare the production and play script. John Boynton Priestley wrote the play script in 1945 but set the script in 1912, the pre World War 1 period. Daldry's production although very different still produced the same message that Priestley wrote about; in society, everyone should be treated as one another. Daldry also thought that Priestley's message was still relevant, for today, because the play is being seen still, and for the past 9 years. Margaret Thatcher spoke on 31st October 1987 "There is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women and there are families." This is the reason why Daldry thought it would be relevant to today as she talks of no society. In the script the only visual guide to the set is at the beginning of Act 1, where the play script describes the Birling family and the house. The house and dining room are realistic Edwardian. The play script only describes the inside of the house and not the outside or what surrounds it, because in the play script they never go outside so there is no need for
Doctor Dolittle Theatre Review
Along with my year eleven drama group I attended the opening night of the Manchester Palace Theatre professional production "Dr Dolittle". The trip took place on Monday 5th November and featured Tommy Steele; a relatively famous actor. The production was based on the books written by Hugh Lofting rather than the Hollywood film featuring Eddie Murphy; yet the novel was adapted for the stage and re-written by Lesley Bricas. Through having only watched the Hollywood film and not experiencing the original version I had some preconceptions which were extremely incorrect. I had expected a more classic and sophisticated musical rather than a larger than life, pantomimesque melodrama! This brings me to a comparison with another production I previously saw at the venue; it was named "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" a more convincing and emotional piece, I shall use the production as a brief contrast to Dr Dolittle highlighting its strengths in order to emphasize the aspects in Dr Dolittle that could be improved. The onstage production of Doctor Dolittle is an amalgam of overacting berserk ideas it casts larger than life characters, extravagant costumes and a very clever use of the stage; this combined creates a fun; ridiculous, yet entertaining musical! Despite being written in the 1930's and 1940's Hugh Lofting set his novel in the Victorian era. Placed against the backdrop of the
Criminal Law
CRIMINAL LAW Scene One (This scene takes place in court) 30th November 2006 Court Rep: The court shall rise to welcome the honorable judge miss Melody. Judge: You all may sit. (a moment of silence) Counsel you may state the case. Court Rep: A case of rape: under section 296 of the Cameroon penal code. Judge: What does the accused plead? Accused: Not guilty. Court Rep: The accused shall lay his pledge. Pastor: Are you a Christian, Muslim or pagan? Accused: Muslim. Pastor: Do swear before this Koran that whatsoever you say will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Accused: I, Mr. Amadou, do state before this Koran that whatsoever I will say will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Judge: Prosecution Counsel, you may raise your case. P.C.: Now Mr. Amadou, could you please tell this court where exactly you were on that fateful night of the 25th November 2006? Accused: With all due respect your honour, I am a Muslim. I believe in the doctrine of the Koran. So I don't see why you should intrude into my privacy by asking where I was. P.C.: Listen Mr. Amadou, you are in court remember? You've just said no-one should intrude into your privacy. I doubt if you have one. You also said you believe in the doctrine of the Koran. Does that doctrine state that rape is legal? Def. C.: Objection my Lady, counsel is making
Blood Brothers Performance
Blood Brothers Performance Evaluation of a Live Piece of Drama I went to see "Blood Brothers" at the Phoenix Theatre in London on Thursday 9th June, for the matinee, 2:30, performance. The piece of Drama, in my opinion, was very successful, having thoroughly believed the characters and their roles throughout the performance, and left with a satisfied feeling that I had seen a plausible and realistic piece of true, entertaining drama. This essay will detail the things in the play that have led me to this opinion, as well as things on which I thought could have been improved. Blood Brothers tells the story of two twin boys, separated at birth only to be bought together and dragged apart throughout the play, ending in tragedy when they truly discover who they are. When Mrs. Johnston discovers she's expecting twins, the only thing she can do to keep the family alive is to give one away - to her broody boss Mrs. Lyons. It's only when the boys are firmly pulled apart that Mrs. Johnston truly realises what she's done, and regrets the choices she's made. As the years go by and Mrs. Johnston sees the boys brought together by fate and dragged away by Mrs. Lyons, Micky and Edward, the twins, form a firm friendship, with each other, and Linda, who Micky ends up marrying. But after a spell in prison, Micky is continually depressed, and pushes Linda to find it hard to stay and not play
Betrayed or Betrayer? Discuss theses two aspects of Willy Loman's character and comment on how they affect both Willy himself and the other characters' relationships with him.
Betrayed or Betrayer? Discuss theses two aspects of Willy Loman's character and comment on how they affect both Willy himself and the other characters' relationships with him. 'Death of a Salesman' is a play written by Arthur Miller and first produced on stage in 1949. This play is Miller's most famous work. The play shows a conflict within one family but on a deeper level does much more than that. This play deals with larger issues regarding American national values. Miller examines the American peoples ideas and beliefs. This play looks at the life of the Loman family in particular Willy Loman who is the central character in this play. Willy Loman is 'past sixty years of age', a husband, and father who is exhausted and coming towards the end of his life. This play follows his last 24 hours. In order to understand the conflicts leading up to boiling point in the Loman household and the reason why Willy eventually takes his own life, Miller uses 'flashbacks'. Each flashback somehow relates to the present. They also offer essential background knowledge. The main relationship throughout the play is Willy's and his eldest son, Biff. Both characters believe that the other has betrayed them; in fact, this is quite true. The theme of betrayal runs throughout this play. The aim of this assignment is to look at the different points of Willy Loman s character asking was he betrayed
The play we saw was Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre in London. It was the 3pm viewing on the 5th November 2009.
Blood Brothers Evaluation Introduction The play we saw was Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre in London. It was the 3pm viewing on the 5th November 2009. Act 1: The play begins with a deep red lighting on the stage. Two figures lie down on red stretchers, surrounded by police a grieving mother. Throughout the whole performance there is a narrator that plays a very strong part in the story. He explains the story making it clear to the audience what is happening. He is also a very eerie character that adds dramatic tension at many places in the show. He introduces us to Mrs Johnstone. Johnstone then sings "tell me it's not true". Following this a flash back is used to cast the setting back to the late 1950's and the story begins. Mrs Johnstone works as a cleaner for a rich woman called Mrs Lyons. Mrs Johnstone falls pregnant and explains to Mrs Lyons that she cannot afford to keep both of the baby boys she is carrying. Mrs Lyons suggests giving one of the babies to her. Mrs Johnstone then agrees and gives Mrs Lyons one of them. Mrs Johnstone's child is called Mickey and Mrs Lyons child is called Eddie. Mrs Johnstone continues to work for Mrs Lyons, but after a while Mrs Lyons considers Mrs Johnstone to be a threat and decides that she does no longer want her around. Mrs Lyons believes in superstition that twins separated at birth should never meet and if they do, they
How are the themes brought up in "A death of a salesman" releveant to the presant day.
My essay looks at a sales man called willy who trys to cope with the stresses of his work and family life, and how in the present day thing like this are easy to relate to. Q:How are the themes brought up in "A death of a salesman" releveant to presant day There are many things in this play that are relevant to the lives of people today. The modern world is full of stress, whether it is work related, financial worries or problems in the family. Most people suffer at some time from anxiety or even depression, and suicides driven by a sense of failure to achieve are not uncommon. Particularly in the USA the belief in the 'American Dream' is strong, this belief is that any one no matter who they are can achieve what ever they want and nothing can stop them. In Arthur Miller's play, even though it was written over 50 years ago the problems associated with modern city living and pressured life styles were already apparent, particularly in the USA where this play is set. In my following paragraphs I am going to cover the topics which I think are very important to the break down of Willy and the relevance it has today. I am going to include, family life, as it is almost exactly the same as today. Then I am going to study the American dream, and finally The pressures of his job and his financial worries. 'The American Dream consists of a belief that in America, all things are
Drama Review: "Lenny - The boy who wanted to be a train"
Review: "Lenny - The boy who wanted to be a train." The idea of a story about a boy trying to become a train deterred me from wanting to see the play, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the performance and the engaging way in which the story was told. Originally written as a radio show, I saw Lenny - The boy who wanted to be a train. at Backwell School in March 2007, directed by freelance director, Sally Cookson, it was quite adventurous; with only one actor, Craig Edwards, using multi- role playing effectively to create each character in the story. It aimed to entertain and challenge its target audience of 13-14 year-olds, which it certainly did with the choreographed dance routines and although maybe too challenging for that age group to understand and appreciate the more stylised aspects of the performance. The play is based around Lenny, a young child of around 12 years old who believes he can become a train if he eats metal screws. His fascination with trains is clearly linked with the bullying he suffers; he admires the strength, speed and power of a train. The train station is where he can voice his stress and insecurities through energetic screams near passing trains, escaping the concerns of a typical young boy who can't live up to his idolised older brother Ethan, can't defend himself against the other boys at school and can't grow tall or strong
