Find me Flashcards
Where was Find Me first perfomed?
The play was first performed at the Richmond Fringe Theatre at The Orange Tree on October 21 1977
Where was the Richmond Fringe Theatre founded?
in a small room above The Orange Tree pub. It specialised instaging new plays
What was the original costume, set and props?
minimal costume
no set or props
How was Find Me originally staged?
in a small intimate space using minimalistic design
What does the episodic structure mean?
episodic structure means the scenes are fairly short and can stand alone outside of a story.Each episode gives the audience an insight into the characters and events that played a significant part in Verity’s journey.
Allows different perspectives to be used and flashbacks.
What does the non-linear structure mean?
splits up the story, meaning that verity is revealed piece by piece.
Also allows playwright to use a variety of non-naturalistic techniques
What is the style of the play?
Its a social drama and tragedy as it shows the downfall of the central character
What is pause?
a dramatic pause or silence at a key moment can build tension and emotions such as fear
What is pitch?
Speaking in a low, high or natural voice
What is tempo or pace?
the speed in which someone speaks
What is tone/expression?
This suggests your mood and intention towards the listener
What is volume?
the effect of a character speaking loud, quiet, or using a stage whisper
What is accent?
indicating where someone is from or their status in society
What is emphasis?
The pressure on certain words to make them stand out
What is intonation?
The rise and fall of your voice. For meaning
falling intonation for emphasis on words/facts
rising intonation for questions
What is subtext?
the underlying meaning of words that are being spoken
What are the elements of movement?
posture and stance
pace of movement
gait
quality of movement
gestures
body language
facial expressions
eye contact
proxemics
levels
What is pace of movement?
moving quickly or slowly
e.g.
a queen may enter moving slowly, highlighting to the audience their status and power. Pace will change according to the scene
What is posture and stance?
the position in which a character holds their body
e.g.
a very confident character may dominate the space, with a very upright posture
what is gait?
a persons manner of walking to form part of their characterisation
what is quality of movement?
a victim might move with very light movement to indicate they are trying to avoid attention
an aggressive character may move with very heavy, definite movement
What are gestures?
the way people communicate with their hands or other parts of their body
e.g. clenching of fists to show their tention
What is body language?
the way a message is conveyed to the audience or an added layer to the words that are spoken
What are facial expressions?
how the face is used to convey an emotional state
What is eye contact?
could be used to establish status, control and passion
What are proxemics?
how the space is used on stage to establish relationships and mood.
What are levels?
can make a scene look visually interesting, but the positioning of characters on different levels can also suggest social status and create atmosphere
What are the key themes of Find Me?
parent-child relationships
mental illness
seeking safety
How are parent child relationships explored?
the play explores verity’s fraught relationship with her parents and the impact it has on the whole family
How is mental illness explored?
explores how those suffering have been failed by healthcare professionals
highlights societies reaction to individuals suffering from mental illness as well as Verity’s isolation and desperation
How is seeking safety explored?
Verity’s condition means that she is constantly looking for places that allow her to feel safe e.g. Verity feels safe in water during swimming gala.
When places of safety are destroyed or disturbed, it has a significant impact on Verity and results in an emotional outburst
Using proxemics to communicate meaning
Reveals character relationships
Standing further away:
doesn’t feel safe with them
not a close relationship backing away to show personal space invaded
doesn’t get along
space to gather thoughts
Hair, costume, make-up for sister moses
Nun:
long black dress with black veil
hair covered by veil, single grey strand poke out - oldness
grey eyeshadow - tired and stressed looking after verity
What is character motivation?
the why? behind a charcter’s actions
e.g. motivated by obsessive perfectionism or desire for power
driven by the desire to defend others
Ideas for set
minimalistic = isolation
metal bars on back of chair = prison bars
cushioned chair = comfort
rounded corners on furniture to communicate being in halfway house/mental place - can’t harm urself/others
flowers wilted and drooping to symbolise Verity’s inner state of mental draining
old style set
crumbling garden wall
historical context of find me
had been shift away from Victorian mental asylums where treatment
generally appalling and inhumane, people in late 1960s and early 1970s still locked up in horrible circumstances.
Was lack of dignity afforded to patients in some of the remaining large and overcrowded mental hospitals.
Play deals with girl living in a society that doesn’t know how to deal with her and being treated by a system that failed to give her necessary treatment and care.
No CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) in 1960/70s
colours to communicate meaning
blue = sadness and distance
black= isolation ‘black-sheep’
yellow-orange = sun setting
multi-coloured splatter = chaos
purple = embarrassment
brown = dependable
green = healing/nature
grey = confusion
beige = calmness/relaxation
sound to communicate meaning
diagetic sound of clocks ticking and computers typing, people walking around creates busy atmosphere
non-diagetic sad and mellow music
rehearsal technique actioning cards
relate actioning card to what he’s saying in scene to illustrate feelings
e.g. use verb ‘alert’, ‘obey’ ‘fight’
hair to communicate meaning
knotted, cut unevenly, grey
vocal/physical to communicate meaning
increased diction on plosive sounds to give audience context on high level of education as well as conveying stressed and almost controlling manner
upright posture - rigid and uncomfortable
wobbly and unpredictable voice - less control over body
wide eyes and clenched fists - becoming agitated, and pleading with eyes
saying something loud with clear diction and quick pace to illustrate overwhelmed
pause for realisation
Minimalistic set:
prioritising the essential:
allows audience to focus more on actors and story being told - can create sense of simplicity and intimacy
reflects ideas of isolation or emptiness - sense of stark or barrenness
Naturalistic set:
immediately recognisable locations:
engrosses audience as empathetic with actors
e.g. kitchen set - stage lights recreate natural light of day time
audience watch as if looking through ‘fourth wall’
Symbolic set:
visual elements to represent abstract/complex ideas, feelings:
e.g. red curtains symbolise passion, danger or mystery depending on context/mood
more immersive and engaging for audience + effectively communicate intention
e.g. revolving stage symbolises passing of time
Surreal elements:
melting clock:
un-expecting
dream-like - lack of meaning
In the round staging
isolation
gives audience clear insight
immerses audience
minimalistic set as audience may struggle to see some things
facial expressions:
lowered eyebrows and barred teeth an actor communicate how character is indignant (angry) about soemthing
Lighting terminology
gobo:
flickers and swirls
gels
soft-edged
spotlight
wash
strobe
fresnel
crossfade
snap
Colours and patterns popular in 1970s
brown, forest green, pale blues, pale yellows, bright reds
floral patterns
tasseled lampshades
leather
