Frantic Assembly
Love Song - a play by frantic assembly that is about a couples journey as they get older, they use physical theatre to specifically show the relationship between the husband and wife. There are two representations of the couples, one during the present day and one that represents the pass. The two time periods are mixed together without the characters from separate time periods ever mixing. Some unique techniques that are used during transitions include walking through a wardrobe, a split in the mattress that sits on the bed, tableaux and physical theatre with character opposites.
Tension is used through out the play to help create the atmosphere and communicate the unique message of the play, everyone is scared of getting older or dying alone as well as the struggles of being married and working together. The tension between characters and a characters mental state is very easily created though physical movement, the stance and posture of the character, especially when looking at the older characters creates this atmosphere that you could cut through like glass. The simplicity of the staging allows for the audience to not become distracted and to focus on the relationship between the characters. Changing of the scenery on the large placards assisted in the created tension especially during the scenes where the older husband finds the pills in the dining room draw and when the younger husband asks his wife if he had cheated on her. It seemed like the tension created between the characters was obvious to the audience however it is harder to infer when tension is created for the audience. I felt it when there was lack of movement or speech, I suppose that this was the directors intention as it allows for you to reflect on what you have watched creating a personal connection with the characters or what you have just watched them go through. The changing in lighting during a tense scene allowed for the tension between the characters to move towards the audience. This is a very clever technique as it only takes one performance element to change the whole atmosphere of the theatre.
Emotion played such a big part during this whole performance and an emotional connection was always present between the characters and the audience. The use of projections and change in lighting helped express the characters emotions as well as allowing the audience to create a personal connection with the emotion that had been expressed. In the last few scenes of the play lanterns were brought out attached to the white screens that were the placards, as this was one of the last scenes it showed that the show was coming to a close as well as the older couples lives. Using dialogue and physical theatre they retold the story of how they met, the whole stage was quite and had an empty feeling atmosphere that meant you could focus solely on the characters emotions allowing for a personal connection to be created. The use of physical theatre was a very unique way to portray emotion especially between the two age gaps. Though none of the opposite partners ever connected through dialogue you could feel it though the physical connection. An example of this is near the middle of the play when there is a duet performed between the younger couple and the older man, it is a scene that happens in the dining room and represents the couple coming back together. The younger female performer/dancer dances with both the older and younger man showing the connection of how it could be inferred as a flashback. This creates an emotional connection between the audience and the characters and allows for the audience to invasion themselves in that position whether its reflecting back on a personal experience they've had or thinking of one that they are hoping to have. The use of music and sound was very influential when creating the emotions portrayed by the characters, the sounds could change the feeling of the scene allowing for different emotions to be communicated.
Though I have referenced the atmosphere though out this refection it changes continuously in sync with the emotion, tension and meaning that is portrayed when watching the performance. From the very first scene a connection with the character is formed creating an atmosphere that allows for the audience to create an emotional and physical connection from the second the man stands up from his chair. Through the use of lighting, music, staging, props, costume and physical theatre the atmosphere changes and in doing so creates an even stronger connection with the audience. I personally felt this when the couple was sitting underneath their fruit tree, there was a simple projection of leaves blowing across the back screen and there was a faint song playing on the record player, this airy atmosphere allowed for me to connect with the characters and create imagery of my own. I find this a very special technique that allows for the audience to grasp the full meaning of the performance and a connection that the audience will remember long after they have finished watching the performance.
I think that depending on a persons personal experiences and their mood they will all infer different meanings when watching the Love Song. The characters and characters relationships delve into this place that the mind never chooses to go as we can't fathom the fact of leaving memories behind when we pass on. Watching others experiences even if it is in the form of a play allows for unique meanings and feelings to be created. Yes, the companies aim will be fulfilled but for each audience member what they will take away from the performance will be different. The characters and relationships created between them helps create this personal relationship between the audience and the actors, the production elements like lighting, staging, props and performance techniques like physical theatre help fill in the missing pieces. Though each performance element and technique communicates something different when they all work together they create a feeling and emotion that is taken a way by every audience member allowing them to remember the performance and the message long after they leave the theatre.
Tension is used through out the play to help create the atmosphere and communicate the unique message of the play, everyone is scared of getting older or dying alone as well as the struggles of being married and working together. The tension between characters and a characters mental state is very easily created though physical movement, the stance and posture of the character, especially when looking at the older characters creates this atmosphere that you could cut through like glass. The simplicity of the staging allows for the audience to not become distracted and to focus on the relationship between the characters. Changing of the scenery on the large placards assisted in the created tension especially during the scenes where the older husband finds the pills in the dining room draw and when the younger husband asks his wife if he had cheated on her. It seemed like the tension created between the characters was obvious to the audience however it is harder to infer when tension is created for the audience. I felt it when there was lack of movement or speech, I suppose that this was the directors intention as it allows for you to reflect on what you have watched creating a personal connection with the characters or what you have just watched them go through. The changing in lighting during a tense scene allowed for the tension between the characters to move towards the audience. This is a very clever technique as it only takes one performance element to change the whole atmosphere of the theatre.
Emotion played such a big part during this whole performance and an emotional connection was always present between the characters and the audience. The use of projections and change in lighting helped express the characters emotions as well as allowing the audience to create a personal connection with the emotion that had been expressed. In the last few scenes of the play lanterns were brought out attached to the white screens that were the placards, as this was one of the last scenes it showed that the show was coming to a close as well as the older couples lives. Using dialogue and physical theatre they retold the story of how they met, the whole stage was quite and had an empty feeling atmosphere that meant you could focus solely on the characters emotions allowing for a personal connection to be created. The use of physical theatre was a very unique way to portray emotion especially between the two age gaps. Though none of the opposite partners ever connected through dialogue you could feel it though the physical connection. An example of this is near the middle of the play when there is a duet performed between the younger couple and the older man, it is a scene that happens in the dining room and represents the couple coming back together. The younger female performer/dancer dances with both the older and younger man showing the connection of how it could be inferred as a flashback. This creates an emotional connection between the audience and the characters and allows for the audience to invasion themselves in that position whether its reflecting back on a personal experience they've had or thinking of one that they are hoping to have. The use of music and sound was very influential when creating the emotions portrayed by the characters, the sounds could change the feeling of the scene allowing for different emotions to be communicated.
Though I have referenced the atmosphere though out this refection it changes continuously in sync with the emotion, tension and meaning that is portrayed when watching the performance. From the very first scene a connection with the character is formed creating an atmosphere that allows for the audience to create an emotional and physical connection from the second the man stands up from his chair. Through the use of lighting, music, staging, props, costume and physical theatre the atmosphere changes and in doing so creates an even stronger connection with the audience. I personally felt this when the couple was sitting underneath their fruit tree, there was a simple projection of leaves blowing across the back screen and there was a faint song playing on the record player, this airy atmosphere allowed for me to connect with the characters and create imagery of my own. I find this a very special technique that allows for the audience to grasp the full meaning of the performance and a connection that the audience will remember long after they have finished watching the performance.
I think that depending on a persons personal experiences and their mood they will all infer different meanings when watching the Love Song. The characters and characters relationships delve into this place that the mind never chooses to go as we can't fathom the fact of leaving memories behind when we pass on. Watching others experiences even if it is in the form of a play allows for unique meanings and feelings to be created. Yes, the companies aim will be fulfilled but for each audience member what they will take away from the performance will be different. The characters and relationships created between them helps create this personal relationship between the audience and the actors, the production elements like lighting, staging, props and performance techniques like physical theatre help fill in the missing pieces. Though each performance element and technique communicates something different when they all work together they create a feeling and emotion that is taken a way by every audience member allowing them to remember the performance and the message long after they leave the theatre.
Frantic Assembly research questions
- Which other theatre practitioners/companies does Frantic Assembly draw inspiration from? R
- What kind of exercises/workshops do they use in the devising process? A
- How do they decide on a starting point? S
- What research is carried out? K
- What are their signature/key theatrical effects? What is the significance of production elements in their performances? K
- What do they aim to achieve/communicate? R
- Who is responsible for all the different elements of performance/production? C
- What kind of time constraints do they work within, and how does this affect their work? S
- Do they seek to conform to conventions of traditional theatre or provide a different perspective on today's theatre? In what ways? L
- Is there a diversity of cultural/personal perspectives within the company? Is there an "ideal" performer that they would recruit? A
- What is their performance philosophy, and how does it impact their work? C
- What sets them apart from other theatre companies? L
What kind of exercises/workshops do they use in the devising process?
"Frantic usually begin their rehearsal process by all rehearsing as individuals within a company and through 'trial and error'. They usually have something to devise from such as a piece of text or music before they go into a room and actually start devising. A full drafted script would be prepared before first day of rehearsals and then most ideas and inspiration would come off this. This draft script would come from a writer listening in to their ideas and conversations as well as using their own ideas and imagination. They would have spoken about techniques and spoke about their aims which they will be exploring physically. They may create a story or give an idea a go. They like to be surprised by the outcome of 'testing' an idea and just seeing what happens. They would think of lots of ideas and perhaps let some sit for a while and then come back to it at a later stage. Their devising is broken down into bite-size and self contained tasks. This is because tasks are clear to performers and allow them to add their own creative input quicker than if they had nothing to work from. For a successful Frantic devising rehearsal, performers need to be brave, creative and take risks. Also, not be afraid to try new things and be prepared if they don't work, they would need a positive working energy. They believe that one of the worst things that could happen is entering a rehearsal room empty-handed and they strongly agree that limitations can spark the imagination and create freedom." - taken from an essay discussing the differences in devising practices between Frantic Assembly and Grotowski's work.
- Steryotypes and spontaneous improvisation
- Music stimulus (use music to create an environment and then a piece)
- All devising is broken up into pieces, they remain bite size and self contained
- Limitation can create freedom and spark the imagination
- What kind of exercises/workshops do they use in the devising process? A
- How do they decide on a starting point? S
- What research is carried out? K
- What are their signature/key theatrical effects? What is the significance of production elements in their performances? K
- What do they aim to achieve/communicate? R
- Who is responsible for all the different elements of performance/production? C
- What kind of time constraints do they work within, and how does this affect their work? S
- Do they seek to conform to conventions of traditional theatre or provide a different perspective on today's theatre? In what ways? L
- Is there a diversity of cultural/personal perspectives within the company? Is there an "ideal" performer that they would recruit? A
- What is their performance philosophy, and how does it impact their work? C
- What sets them apart from other theatre companies? L
What kind of exercises/workshops do they use in the devising process?
"Frantic usually begin their rehearsal process by all rehearsing as individuals within a company and through 'trial and error'. They usually have something to devise from such as a piece of text or music before they go into a room and actually start devising. A full drafted script would be prepared before first day of rehearsals and then most ideas and inspiration would come off this. This draft script would come from a writer listening in to their ideas and conversations as well as using their own ideas and imagination. They would have spoken about techniques and spoke about their aims which they will be exploring physically. They may create a story or give an idea a go. They like to be surprised by the outcome of 'testing' an idea and just seeing what happens. They would think of lots of ideas and perhaps let some sit for a while and then come back to it at a later stage. Their devising is broken down into bite-size and self contained tasks. This is because tasks are clear to performers and allow them to add their own creative input quicker than if they had nothing to work from. For a successful Frantic devising rehearsal, performers need to be brave, creative and take risks. Also, not be afraid to try new things and be prepared if they don't work, they would need a positive working energy. They believe that one of the worst things that could happen is entering a rehearsal room empty-handed and they strongly agree that limitations can spark the imagination and create freedom." - taken from an essay discussing the differences in devising practices between Frantic Assembly and Grotowski's work.
- Steryotypes and spontaneous improvisation
- Music stimulus (use music to create an environment and then a piece)
- All devising is broken up into pieces, they remain bite size and self contained
- Limitation can create freedom and spark the imagination
Is there a diversity of cultural/personal perspectives within the company? Is there an "ideal" performer that they would recruit?
'Frantic Assembly believes theatre is for all and promotes diversity and access across its activities. We are committed to equality of opportunity and encourage application from individuals currently underrepresented in the arts.' - From their website
http://www.franticassembly.co.uk/media/media/downloads/Frantic_Assembly_Resource_Pack_2012.pdf
The answers to the rest of the questions are on the voice recording (they cannot be uploaded as a premium account is needed)
'Frantic Assembly believes theatre is for all and promotes diversity and access across its activities. We are committed to equality of opportunity and encourage application from individuals currently underrepresented in the arts.' - From their website
http://www.franticassembly.co.uk/media/media/downloads/Frantic_Assembly_Resource_Pack_2012.pdf
The answers to the rest of the questions are on the voice recording (they cannot be uploaded as a premium account is needed)