CAT on a hot tin roof Flashcards
Introduction
Written by Tennesse Williams
Set in summer 1950s Missisipie Delta, Wealthy plantation owned by Big Daddy
Themes - Inheritance, medacity, Untruthfulness, Deciet, self identity , homosexuality, masculinity
Original production in 1955 set in Morosco theatre theatre directed by Ellia Kazan - she made use of a Gauze backdrop that enabled symbolic transitions into the night time for act 3
During the time
1955 south America, the pollitt family are wealthy estate owners during the time of the civil rights movement
Homosexuality was a taboo and criminnalised in most US states in 1950s - explains bricks stuggle to talk about the subject
During this time mental health issues were stigmatised and looked down upon - Bricks excessive drinking could have been part of
Maggie
She is Desperate for Bricks attention and will do everything in her power to win Brick back mentally and sexually.
Margret is described as ‘A pretty young woman with anxious lines in her face’
In williams ‘notes of expliration’ he said how he found himself sympathising with her more and more. Her ‘bitchy’ characteristics are defended by the constant rejection from Brick
Brick
Brick is a brick of man, he is Stubborn, resillient and shows very little emotion throughout the play. He drinks to avoid confronting his feelings.
He habours deep emotions for his dead friend Skipper who he was thought to have a sexual relationship with him, and feels a great deal of guilt for Skippers suicide
Mea
Mea is Bricks sister in law, the wife of Bricks brother Gooper. She and her husband Gooper clearly seem to only care about the inheritance from Big daddy.
She is perceived as very socially consious. She is the polar opposite to Maggie as Mea is described by Big daddy as a good breedeer whereas Maggie can not have kids.
Gooper
Gooper is Bricks Big brother and is eight years older then him. He is also the least favoured amongst the two brothers. Brick is the one who gets all the attention and affection from Big daddy and Big mama while Gooper has to watch in distaste.
Big Daddy
Big Daddy is the father of both Brick and Gooper. He is clearly the most powerful on stage despite the fact that he is dying of Cancer. He is extreemly fond of Brick as we see Brick is the only one that gets his attention.
He is very Blunt and flowl mouthed as he says what he thinks.
Big Mama
Big Mama is Big Daddys wife, she is described as a small stout woman who is in her sixties and is out of breath most of the time. She is a very powerful character and this is seen as she dominates most converstions within the room. She is described as ‘huffin and puffin like a bulldog’ which allows us to explore animalistic qualities.
Set Design (my set design)
Bricks Bedroom
A shrine Liquire cabinet - made out of polished oak wood - downstage right - this is a key set design element and would symbolise a key component of Brick’s character, alchoholism - It would contain crystalised spirit glasses and a ice despenser - would signify the wealth of the family.
Big double bed centre stage, Old elagant, Dark stained mahogony wood. White sheets that are completely untouched - This would suggest the sothern authenticity and their financial status, Brick and Maggie fracturated intimacy
French doors backstage with curtains moved by a fan (or implied breese) - this would suggest the freedom that lies in the outside world
Vanity table and mirror bottom stage right - would have makeup scarted all around it very unorganised - symbolic of Maggies mental state - big mirror to signify her desire to be seen by brick
Chaise lounge (burgendy red) stage right middle - would have scratch marks on the floor from it being dragged away from the bed - shows dying sexual relationship - also a symbol of desire
Act 1 Lighting (Brick and Maggie)
Late afternoon into evening:
Fresenels with amber gels, to create a warm wash symbolying the southern afternoon light along with suffocating heat - atmosphere of comfort however discomfort symultaniously - gives the audience a faulse sense of comfort
Profile spot lights with window gobos - creating realistic sunbeam shadows - although romatic also as it seems charcteres are trapped in a bautiful prison
Parcans dimmed slowley throughout the scene - shows the transition between noon to dusk - as lights begin to dim audience gets a sense of unease throughout the scene signifying the cracks with in Brick and Maggies relationship.
Sound Act 1
The sound of the shower running underneath Maggies first monolauge - reflects Bricks emotional detachment he is litterly and emotionally ‘washed out’ by removing himself from confrentiation - it is also effective in highlighting Maggie’s isolation
Distant party noises - Faint sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, or Piano music heard from big Daddys birthday party - would suggest the magnitude of the house - The noises would fade in and fade out depending on Maggies mental state
Set designe ACT 2 (Brick and Big Daddy)
Shattered glass on the floor from when Brick tried to hit Maggie with his crutch - Symbolic of the emotional damage that has been caused within this house - Also mirrors brick emotional state Fracturated, Dangerious however can still be peiced back together
Ice scatterd on the floor from the Ice bucket - shows bricks recklessness and disregard for control and care - and as the ice melts while Brick and Big Daddy have an initmate talk suggests how the coldeness in thier relationship is being challenged
The Bed would now be messed up with pollows scattered everywhere and blanket on the floor - would suggest the choaos that is now all breaking out within the household
Act 2 lighting (Brick and Big Daddy)
The lighiting for this scene would be extreemly raw to signify the brutal honesty of Big Daddys and Bricks conversation.
Cold blue lighting in side lighting coming from stage left - shows the coldness of characters especially Brick who is emotianally numb
The blue reflections on the ice - make the room seeem as though it is sterile - place of interigation rather then comfort - can also subtily allude to death and decay of Big Daddy
Keep Brick partially in the shadow while Big Daddy is more fully lit - would signify how Brick is less engaged in the conversation then Big Daddy
Sound ACT 2 (Brick and Big Daddy)
Non digetic sound:
Introduce a low frequency ambient hum - very faint sound of strings in background - creates a feeling of unease and pressure
At emotional climax - Big Daddy says “you gotta face it!” - introduce a brief shimmer noise to cut the silence
Digetic:
Glass clincks whenever Brick pours himself a drink - Sound of his crutch hitting the floor - makes every moment feel very emotionally loaded for the audience
