Drama Terminology Flashcards
What is called a review?
A written account of strengths + weaknesses of a show.
What is a critic?
A man who knows the way but can’t drive the car.
What phrases should you steer clear of?
‘I thought it was terrible’ or ‘I found it boring’.
What would happen if you don’t steer clear of those phrases?
You will sound unintelligent but arrogant too. Remember writing about work of professionals who may have much more experience + understanding of theatre than you.
What should be included in a good evaluation or review?
Narrative. Plot. Symbolic. Conclusion. Abstract. Naturalistic. Style. Genre.
What is it compulsory to also have in the review or evaluation?
Production personnel.
Give name of actors + director, designers etc when referring to their work. If you don’t will seem vague + lazy.
What should you consider ub an evaluation or review?
Themes of the play + detail how were brought out by design, direction or acting choices.
What is it important to do?
Write good introduction to review/evaluation- how you set scene for reader + determines if work worth reading in entirety or not. So need details about production, genre, main actors + any interesting background.
Once mentioned production professional’s name, such as playwright, actor or director what can you then do?
Use their surname only.
What does a good review alway pay close attention to?
Production design:
Stage shape + effect had on relationships between actors + audience.
Style- e.g. naturalistic or minimalistic.
What was onstage + effect it created.
Symbolism- e.g. tatty furniture representing tired relationships.
Any key features or inventive ideas- e.g. table opening up to become a car.
What should you focus on when describing the costume choices particularly if they are striking or unusual in any way?
Costume modern or historical? Did costume show character? Any significant costume changes? Costume used symbolically?- think about colours + garments chosen. Added to performance?
What should you consider about props?
Whether used naturalistically or symbolically + if had any significant meaning attached to them. Was 1 special prop used in variety of ways?
What elements should you think about in review about lighting design?
Light used naturalistically or in symbolic way?
Use of light enhance mood drama + experience for audience?
Did lights created mood + atmosphere?
Used to suggest different locations or passing of time?
Affect pace of transitions (movement from 1 scene to next?) snap change create staccato, fast tempo but fade gentler + slower.
Any key lighting effects in production?
What should you think about when mentioning music or sound effects used in a production?
How music used + when.
Effect of music on audience- did created mood/atmosphere?
Music or sound used symbolically to reflect character or theme of play?
Any sound effects + what did these add to production?
Music work with rest of production?
What elements should you try and include when describing the performances of the actors in the production?
Who impressed you + why?
How was characterisation achieved?- voice, gesture, body language etc… what actor did at particular moment to have effect on audience + communicate effectively?
Analyse movement around space + what communicated + consider use of stillness as well.
Evaluate vocal choices made- significant pauses, tone of voice, changes in pitch or volume that worked well. Comment on what communicated to audience.
Relationships on stage: how achieved + how did develop or change? Focus on how realised in acting not on story of play.
